Matterhorn Glacier Trail offers a fascinating glimpse of a world between rock and ice. Walkers approach the glacier on a safe path, close enough to see the meltwater running out which is one of the memorable moment on this special hiking adventure. The trail offers hikers insights into the phenomenon of glacier retreat. The path displays what the melting glacier leaves behind, shows the conditions it creates for plant and animal life, and reveals how humans make use of the remains from the river ice. Now and again, a gentle breeze descends from the glacier like a cold kiss from the perennial snows. It smells of snow, ice, stone, water and the purest mountain air. Since the Little Ice Age around 1850, the Furgg and Theodul Glaciers have retreated by more than three kilometers. There are various key points on the trail with information panels that tell the fascinating story. This trail is absolutely beautiful with landscapes of rocks and screes sculpted by the former glacier where you can really smell the fresh mountain air and feel the history. This adventurous trail starts at Trockener Steg and ends at Schwarzsee with total distance of 6.48 kilometers taking approximately 2 hours. The highest point on this trail is at 2922 meters with an ascent of 195 meters and descent of 542 meters.
The Matterhorn Trail explores many facets with its physical origins, its stories and lengends. All kinds of stories are told about the Matterhorn such as folk talks, legends, amusing anecdotes and more. This trail, which presents the world famous mountain from quite close up, features a series of information panels that cover many different aspects of the iconic peak. If you love the mountain and like most visitors, mesmerized by the amazing Matterhorn, this trail will be the best trail. There are informations such as Matterhorn was made by giants from Baltournenche or that there was once plans to build a lift to the summit of the Matterhorn. If you want to know more of these interesting themes and stories, you will find them carved in to wooden sculptures through this trail. This trail has an amazing view of the north face of the Matterhorn and also has an idyllic chapels at Schwarzsee and in Zmutt. This magical trail starts at Schwarzsee and ends at Zermatt with total distance of 9.79 kilometers taking approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes. The highest point on this trail is at 2579 with an ascent of 144 meters and descent of 1112 meters.
