matterhorn by hut
Getting Started:
Time of Year: this guide is specifically for summer, most huts open end of June or first week in July.
Planning: hut hiking does require some planning, each hut is booked individually, information for each is listed below. Many of the huts are on an email or phone call basis rather than a traditional booking platform. Most of these are also CASH only, meaning you need to be prepared with the proper amount of Swiss Franks before leaving town. There are many ATMs in Zermatt so it should be no problem stopping before starting to hike.
Customizable: this guide is for a five day itinerary, but can be 100% adapted to what you want! entirely possible to do half this trip and still have a blast! Reach out with any questions!
Meals: huts will provide a breakfast and dinner, water is available for purchase, as well as other food. Bring snacks if for hiking, if lunch is needed there are restaurants on the path.
Maps & Signs: for hiking directions, pick up a map in town, and also have a phone with gps handy. Google maps, and all trails are fantastic on these trails. There are also always tons of signs that will point which way to go.
Day One:
After arriving in Zermatt, make sure to walk around, grab a coffee, and maybe hit the local coop grocery store in town. Then when your ready make your way to Triftweg, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland, where the trail starts. It should take a little over an hour and a half to reach Berggathaus Trift hut. Make a stop at the Edelweiss hut for a drink on your way after the climb from town
After arriving check in with the hosts, grab a bed and enjoy the hut! If you arrive early, its worth wondering around a few of the other trails near by. You also may run into the local house cat!
Day Two:
When you are ready to get hiking, you will follow signs for the Schonbielhutte. I would recommend having some snacks in your backpack for this day of hiking. After leaving Berggsthaus Trift, there is a steep climb, but after the initial accent you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Matterhorn the rest of the day :)! This day will be around 3 hours of hiking depending on how many stops are made. Enjoy the beautiful alpenglow sunset on the Matterhorn!
Day Three:
To get started for the day, follow signs for Stafelap and Schwaree. Restaurant Stafelap is a great spot to either stop for mid morning coffee or lunch. After this stop you will be treated with some steep climbing the rest of the day, as well as beautiful meadows. The Hut its self sits right at the base of the Matterhorn, and can be seen most of the time hiking up to it.
Day Four:
Follow the Matterhorn Glacier Trail from Hornli Hut. There is also the option of going down to Schwarzsee for a Lunch at the top of the gondola. The total hike time should be around three hours.
Day Five:
For the final day of hiking follow signs back down to Schwarzsee and Zermatt. From here there is the option to take the gondola back down to town after a long few days of hiking, or to walk back down to town from here.
If you are in need of an inexpensive lodging I would recommend the Zermatt Youth Hostel, and a great post hike drink, snack or next day breakfast can be found at Winkel Kunterbunt. Both spots are outside the main part of town for more laid back environment.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for any questions comments or personal travel consulting! Thanks so much!
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