Winter hiking

Schwarzsee-Aroleid (Nr. 124)

In summer, many mountain climbers can experience the adventure of climbing the Matterhorn; in winter, it's all about walking through snowy landscapes.

View of Zermatt and the stunning panorama.
  • Type Winter hiking
  • Difficulty easy
  • Duration 0,40 h
  • Distance 2,1 km
  • Ascent 0 m
  • Descent 265 m
  • Lowest point 2321 m
  • Highest point 2583 m

Description

In the summer months, the Schwarzsee top station is the starting point for the climb to the Hörnli Hut, the base camp for the Matterhorn ascent. During the colder months, you meet skiers and snowboarders, snowshoe and winter hikers.

Starting from the top station, the winter hiking trail heads below the Matterhorn past the frozen lakes and soon reveals the view of Zermatt and the stunning panorama from Ober Gabelhorn across to Breithorn and the Bernese Alps in the background. The trail proceeds steadily downhill to the Aroleid middle station, where the cable car goes back via Schwarzsee to Zermatt.

Schwarzsee - middle station Aroleid

(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h)

We recommend:

  • Good footwear
  • Hiking poles (optional)
  • Warm winter clothing appropriate for the weather
If you’re lucky and observant, you might see chamois on the way down.
  • Plan every mountain tour carefully and adapt to participants’ fitness level as well as the weather and season.
  • Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
  • Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible avoid going alone.
  • Do not leave the marked routes; do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
  • It is forbidden to walk on the ski pistes.
  • Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.

Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk.
*The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon.

Map and arrival

detailed map