Marmot Trail (Nr. 8)
This walk is a must for families, offering a chance to watch marmots close-up.
moderate
Distance 3.8 km
Marmots are fascinating animals, comical creatures whose shrill warning whistles can be heard from far away. This path offers an ideal opportunity to watch the antics of these furry rodents, which live in burrows and are active by day. Walkers may be lucky enough to enjoy the charming sight of the young leaving the burrow for the first time.
- Appropriate for children from age 4
- Panels describe the life of the marmots (in German, English, French, Japanese)
- Wood sculptures along the trail
- Marmot observation posts at Sunnegga
Author’s recommendation
Do not forget your bathing suit and towel. Enjoy the bathing possibilities in the lake Leisee.

Author
Zermatt Tourimus
Update: November 12, 2020
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,584 m
Lowest point
2,288 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Forested/wild trail
3.2 km
Path
0.6 km
Rest stops
Buffet Bar SunneggaSafety 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; 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.
Tips and hints
Learn more about the marmotsStart
Blauherd (2,571 m) (2,577 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'626'927E 1'096'196N
DD
46.016780, 7.786321
DMS
46°01'00.4"N 7°47'10.8"E
UTM
32T 406050 5096627
w3w
///zinc.depravity.tides
Destination
Sunnegga (2,288 m)
Turn-by-turn directions
Blauherd - Stellisee - Sunnegga
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h 30)
This hike is marked on the signposts as “Murmelweg”.
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
2'626'927E 1'096'196N
DD
46.016780, 7.786321
DMS
46°01'00.4"N 7°47'10.8"E
UTM
32T 406050 5096627
w3w
///zinc.depravity.tides
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
"Themen erwandern in Zermatt", Zermatt Bergbahnen AG, Eigenverlag, Deutsch, Englisch, Französisch, ISBN 978-3-905756-68-5. Erhältlich bei den Zermatt Bergbahnen AG im Shop auf Matterhorn glacier paradise, via E-Mail info@matterhornparadise.ch oder per Telefon auf +41 (0)27 966 01 01.
Author’s map recommendations
A walking map (1:25,000) is available from Zermatt Tourism’s guest information centre, along with brochures containing tips and recommendations.
Equipment
We recommend:
- Good footwear
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
3.8 km
Duration
1:10 h
Ascent
7 m
Descent
296 m
Highest point
2,584 m
Lowest point
2,288 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 4 Waypoints
- 4 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others