Platthorn / Mettelhorn (Nr. 33)

Zermatt (station) - Alterhaupt (Edelweiss) - Trift - Furgji - Platthorn - Mettelhorn

(Hiking time for the walk back: approx. 3h 10)

We recommend:

Good footwear Hiking poles (optional) Depending on the conditions crampons Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)

Important! A good head for heights, a sure foot and mountain experience are needed

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.

Note: Pay careful attention to weather and tour length. Take special care on wet paths and wet terrain.

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.

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).

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”.

Please contact the Trift Berggasthaus for the most up-to-date information on trail conditions.

 

It is worthwhile taking a couple of souvenir photographs, because the view from the Mettelhorn is beautiful: Under one is the village of Zermatt and under the other is the Mattertal. Almost within reach are also the two four thousand-metre Zinalrothorn (4,221 m) and the Weisshorn (4,506 m).