Hike 1: Zermatt - Sunnegga - Riffelalp - Riffelberg - Furi - Zermatt
First a road then a path leads from Zermatt up to Sunnegga. On the way up the tree line will be passed. On Sunnegga
the Matterhorn can be seen from its prettiest side and very often marmots can be seen. Flat until a steep path leads to the
Leisee to Grünsee to Riffelalp. From there very steep up to Riffelberg. Riffelberg with 2582 metres, 9863 ft is the highest point on the hike. Further on a steep zigzag path towards the glacier tongue of the Gornergletscher. Down the glacier garden the path continues to Furi. From Furi over meadows to Blatten. Blatten is a small hamlet with old stables. In a few minutes from Blatten back to Zermatt.
Walk time ca. 6 hours, ascent 1090 meters, 3575 ft, descent 1090 metres, 3575 ft, distance 17 km, 10.6 miles, fee CHF 550.00.
Hike 2: Schwarzsee - Stafelalp - Zmutt - Edelweiss - Zermatt
From Zermatt a wide path leads along meadows, pine and larch trees up to Zmutt. Continuing on the same side of the valley
up the reservoir and in a big loop to the left to Staffelalp 2199 metres, 7213 ft. Now it really starts. A very steep path leads up to
Schwarzsee 2582 metres, 2469 ft. On the way up to Schwarzsee there is a fantastic view to the Matterhorn north face and several
vegetation lines will be passed. Schwarzsee offers a magnificent view to the Hoernli ridge of the Matterhorn, the ski area of the
Klein Matterhorn, the Breithorn and the Monte Rosa. A steep path leads from Schwarzsee down to Furi which goes first of all along
meadows and later through a forest. From Furi down to Blatten, a small hamlet with old stables. In a few minutes from Blatten back
to Zermatt.
Walk time ca. 5 1/2 hours, ascent 960 metres, 3149 ft, descent 960 metres, 3149 ft, distance 14.5 km, 9 miles, fee CHF 550.00.
Hike 3: Schwarzsee - Hoernlihuette - Staffelalp - Zmutt - Zermatt
With gondolas to save energy up to Schwarzsee. From there a steep path leads up to Hirli. Up a little rock face on iron steps.
The way continues for a while flat, than very steep in a zigzag up to the Hoernlihut. The Hoernlihut is the base to climb the Matterhorn.
It's the meeting point for mountain guides, hikers and mountaineers. The hut offers a beautiful view of the Mischabel chain with its
fourthousanders to the Monte Rosa, the Breithorn and the Weisshorn group. It takes 10 minutes from the Hoernlihut, the starting
point of the Hoernli ridge of the Matterhorn, where you can watch the returning mountain guides with their clients. The descent
leads at the beginning the same way as the ascent was. After 45 minutes the path turns to the left and leads through rocky fields
down to Staffelalp and further to Zmutt on a nice path. From there through larch forests to Zermatt. As a variation the descent can
be also done over Schwarzsee to shorten the descent.
Walk time ca. 5 1/2 hours, ascent 680 metres, 2230 ft, descent 1640 metres, 5379 ft, distance 14.5 km, 8 miles, fee CHF 550.00.