Mountain trail

Hike to the Schönbiel Hut (Nr. 29b)

The trail to the Schönbiel Hut is full of variety; the view from the hut of the north face of the Matterhorn is breathtaking.

360° Panorama
Schönbiel hut (2,694 m), run by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)
  • Type Mountain trail
  • Difficulty hard
  • Duration 6,18 h
  • Distance 20 km
  • Ascent 559 m
  • Descent 1285 m
  • Lowest point 1859 m
  • Highest point 2694 m

Description

The name says it all. In the Zermatt dialect, Schönbiel means “beautiful small plateau on a mound". From the mound on which the Schönbiel hut stands, the view of the Matterhorn is unforgettable, like in a dream. And as happens in dreams, the mood can change dramatically: depending on weather, the mighty Matterhorn with its soaring north face can suddenly seem distinctly scary.

The path to the hut leads across a great variety of mountain landscapes: tended alpine pastures, the gravelly terrain of the former tongue of the Zmutt Glacier, terminal moraine lakes, a reservoir with a hydroelectric power plant, large lateral moraines. On the way back to Furi, the path leads across alpine pastures with cows and through mixed forest of larch and Swiss stone pine.

  • Waterfall: Arbenbach falls
  • Chance to see wild animals

Schwarzsee - Innerer Stafel (reservoir) - Schönbiel Hut - Arbenbach - Stafelalp - Furi

 

We recommend:

  • Good footwear
  • Hiking poles (optional)
  • Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)

You must take along your camera to make a picture of the impressive, steep Matterhorn north wall.

  • 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.
  • Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
  • Take note of the warning signs drawing attention to the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs.

Map and arrival

detailed map