Chamois Trail (Nr. 5)
The Chamois Trail offers walkers a good chance of spotting these beautiful wild animals.
- Type Mountain trail
- Difficulty medium
- Duration 1,50 h
- Distance 5,8 km
- Ascent 11 m
- Descent 887 m
- Lowest point 2215 m
- Highest point 3103 m
Description
Zermatt is at the heart of one of Switzerland’s biggest wilderness areas, home to many chamois. Depending on season, walkers may spot mothers with their kids, perhaps also young male chamois or even a whole herd. It’s worth allowing plenty of time to stop along the way and observe them.
Some of the animals may be resting on the ground, which makes them all but invisible to the untrained eye. Hikers who stop to scan the rocky outcrops and alpine pastures carefully should soon make them out.
- Alpine flora: Edelweiss (a protected plant)
Rothorn - Kumme - Tufteren
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 2h 40)
This hike is marked on the signposts as “Gamsweg”.
We recommend:
- Good footwear
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
- Binoculars
- Camera / Telephoto
- 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.
Caution! In spring the path may not be passable because of snow.
