recommended route
Panorama Trail (Nr. 142)
Snowshoeing
· Zermatt
-
/ Snowshoe hiking with a winter panoramaPhoto: Gornergrat Bahn, Zermatt Tourismus -
/ Starting point at RotenbodenPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Zermatt - Matterhorn
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/ Through fresh powdery snow in the Gornergrat regionPhoto: Michael Portmann, Zermatt - Matterhorn
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/ SchneeschuhwandernVideo: Zermatt - Matterhorn
This snowshoe trail leads to some magically beautiful spots between Rotenboden and Riffelberg. Along the way it passes the frozen Riffelsee, hibernating under a thick blanket of snow.
moderate
Distance 2.5 km
1:30 h
10 m
242 m
2,813 m
2,571 m
When the Riffelhorn casts its dark shadow across the Riffelsee, evening is still a long way off. But this is a magical moment in winter, known as the blue hour. A calmness descends on the mountain; the ski pistes are far off. Take a deep breath and continue walking: soon the magnificent panorama reveals itself once again, with the Matterhorn, Obergabelhorn and Weisshorn. A winter’s day of fairy-tale beauty, sure to linger long in the memory.
- Marked approx. every 100 m with pink poles
- Guided tours bookable through the Zermatters
Author’s recommendation
As the name already indicates, this trail offers one of the finest panoramas with a cast including the Matterhorn, Obergabelhorn, Zinalrothorn, Weisshorn and many more. So be sure to take along your camera.
Author
Zermatt Tourismus
Update: December 01, 2021
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,813 m
Lowest point
2,571 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cardinal direction
Rest Stop
Buffet & Bar RiffelbergRiffelhaus 1853
Safety information
- 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.
- It is forbidden to walk on the ski pistes.
- Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
The snowshoe trails can be tackled without a mountain guide. Beware: they are not prepared in any way and are not controlled daily; nor are they secured from natural hazards such as avalanches or rockfalls. For safety, check the weather forecast and current avalanche bulletin.
All snowshoeing is at one’s own risk.
Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk.
*The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon.
Tips and hints
Start
Rotenboden (2'815 m) (2,812 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'625'307E 1'092'593N
DD
45.984427, 7.765206
DMS
45°59'03.9"N 7°45'54.7"E
UTM
32T 404360 5093058
w3w
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Destination
Riffelberg (2,582 m)
Turn-by-turn directions
Rotenboden - Riffelberg
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h 30 - 2h)
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).
Getting there
Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.
Parking
Täsch has car parks with both covered and open-air parking – e.g. at the Matterhorn Terminal or privately operated facilities.Onward travel: see “Getting there”.
Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'625'307E 1'092'593N
DD
45.984427, 7.765206
DMS
45°59'03.9"N 7°45'54.7"E
UTM
32T 404360 5093058
w3w
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Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Equipment
We recommend:
- Good, waterproof footwear
- Snowshoes
- Hiking poles
- Warm winter clothing appropriate for the weather
Basic Equipment for Snow Shoe Walking
- Sturdy, comfortable and waterproof hiking boots appropriate for winter use (B1+ recommended)
- Layered, moisture wicking clothing
- Long, warm technical socks plus liners and spares
- Rucksack (with rain cover)
- Water- and windproof mountaineering jacket and trousers with ankle adjustment or separate gaiters
- Lip protection (SPF 30+)
- Water- and windproof gloves plus thin fleece inner gloves
- Neckwear
- moisture wicking skull / knit cap
- Sunglasses
- Ample supply of drinking water and snacks
- First aid kit
- Kit para bolhas
- Bivy / survival bag
- Survival blanket
- Headlamp
- Pocket knife
- Whistle
- Cell phone
- Cash
- Navigation equipment / map and compass
- Emergency contact details
- ID
Technical Equipment for Snow Shoe Walking
- Hiking poles fitted with snow baskets
- Snowshoes
- The 'basic' and 'technical' equipment lists are generated based on the selected activity. They are not exhaustive and only serve as suggestions for what you should consider packing.
- For your safety, you should carefully read all instructions on how to properly use and maintain your equipment.
- Please ensure that the equipment you bring complies with local laws and does not include restricted items.
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
2.5 km
Duration
1:30 h
Ascent
10 m
Descent
242 m
Highest point
2,813 m
Lowest point
2,571 m
Morning
Afternoon
Avalanche conditions
·
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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