Arrive in Zermatt, a popular mountaineering destination located at the foot of the Matterhorn. Take some time to explore the town and soak up the lively outdoor atmosphere.
Start off the Matterhorn Trek with a hike to Berggasthaus Trift, a mountain hotel situated at an elevation of approximately 2,300 meters. The trail leads you past the Edelweiss Hut and a river gorge, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. While the Matterhorn may not be visible yet, the views are spectacular and the food at the hotel is outstanding.
3.5 km; 730 m of elevation gain and 10 m of elevation loss
On the second day, enjoy a majestic climb away from the hotel to a plateau where the Matterhorn comes into full view. The scenery becomes increasingly epic, with stunning views of the valley below and the iconic pyramidal peak. After traversing the mountain’s flank, descend slowly into the valley, hike past glacial streams, and arrive at Schönbiel Hut, your destination for the day.
12 km; 790 m of elevation gain and 430 m of elevation loss
Experience the magnificent sight of the first light hitting the Matterhorn at Schönbiel Hut before retracing your steps back to a junction. Follow the trail towards Schwarzsee lakes, passing pastures and perhaps encountering some cows along the way. Relax at Hotel Schwarzsee, and enjoy a stunning sunset.
9 km; 440 m of elevation gain and 550 m of elevation loss
On day 5, the landscape transforms into a moon-like plateau, interspersed with streams of snowmelt water. Hike across the plateau following the Glacier Trail on the east side of the Matterhorn towards the Gandegg Hut. Marvel at the views of Monte Rosa and Breithorn, and the glacier of Matterhorn to your left.
7 km; 620 m of elevation gain and 180 m of elevation loss
The final day of hiking involves a descent back to Zermatt. As you drop in altitude, the scenery becomes greener, transitioning back to the beloved Swiss pastures. If you prefer, you can take the cable car from Trockener Steg to save your knees.
10 km; 60 m of elevation gain and 1460 m of elevation loss
As your walking holiday in Zermatt with Hut to Hut Hiking Switzerland comes to an end, take some time to explore the town before departing on your next adventure.
Experience the grandeur of the iconic Matterhorn on an unforgettable 7-day hiking adventure. The Matterhorn Trek takes you on a journey through the stunning landscapes of Zermatt, one of the most popular mountaineering destinations in the world.
The trek offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn from various angles. As you hike from green valleys to barren rocky landscapes, you’ll witness the panoramic views of the surrounding 4,000m peaks, glaciers, and snowmelt water streams.
The itinerary is designed to showcase the best of the region, with a mix of mountain huts and hotels in idyllic locations offering great cuisine, and accommodation options ranging from dormitories to private rooms (for which you must book enough in advance).
As you trek from the green valleys to the barren rocky landscapes, you will be amazed by the panoramic views of the surrounding 4000m peaks, glaciers, and white streams of snowmelt water. Along the way, you will hike past pastures, meet some cows, and at the end of each day, relax in a mountain hotel or a hut, from which you can witness some unforgettable sunsets (and sunrises, if you wake up early enough).
At Hut to Hut Hiking Switzerland, we take care of all the logistics for you. From providing a detailed itinerary booklet and GPS routes to booking all the accommodations, our aim is to make your trip as smooth as possible. All you need to do is relax and soak in the stunning scenery.
The summer season for hiking is usually from mid-June to mid-October. Its start depends on the amount of snow left on the high mountain passes from the winter. The Walker’s Haute Route and Via Alpina have some high passes, which are usually free of snow only in July. Hiking before that could be dangerous without proper skill and equipment. In October, there is usually the first bigger snowfall, and the huts close to prepare for the winter ski season.
Read more about the hiking season in the Swiss Alps here.
We’ve rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.
The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.
Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.
It is best to book your tour early because most accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.
Even though the routes are usually quite close to at least a farm or a small village, they also feature lots of wild and remote sections where you cannot just stop. In case of injury, it’s best to call the local emergency services.
On the other hand, if you just feel that you cannot hike anymore, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to a bigger Swiss city.
Showers in Swiss mountain huts are rare and are only offered for an extra charge. That’s why it’s wise to bring wet wipes with you for the days that you are staying in one of them.
No, because the huts provide their own blankets and pillows. Still, you should bring a sleeping liner instead.
Cell connection is very changeable in the mountains. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see a town, you’ll have a reception. Mountain huts are the same — the signal usually doesn’t reach the insides, so try catching it outside. Wifi is available only in some huts, while most don’t have it.
If you dress accordingly, most stages can be done in light rain. However, do not hike if a storm is forecasted. In that case, you can take public transport to the next point when possible to make up for the lost time.
Vegetarian meals are usually available in most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to be found in huts, but we’re happy to let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.
