Matterhorn Glacier Trail

monday

back to zermatt

on the big lift to Trockerer Steg with Zermatt in the bottom of the valley

on the balcony of Trockener Steg,3100m

From Trockener Steg looking towars Breithorn and Klein Matterhorn

view towards Gornegrad and Monte Rosa

The first glaciar lake below the station

myself infront of the Matterhorn

crossing a stream to ascent to a higher path

above the lake looking towards Trockener Steg Station

another lake just below the Theodul glacier

view of the Hornli ridge,Belvedere hotel and Hornli hut from the path

bigger view of the Hornli ridge

glaciar lake on the balcony with the Zermatt valley beyond

large lake with the Matterhorn in the background

Peter posing

Telephoto shot of the upper part of the Matterhorn

the middle part of the Hornli ridge,the Solvay hut is on the step in the middle

the hornli ridge,Belvedere hotel and Hornli hut,the start of the climb to the Matterhorn

the poles and marker for the path

Peter on the path infront of the Matterhorn,just above the junction of the Theodul and Matterhorn glaciers

the terrain we had to walk on,is the moraine of an older glacier.

the stream that drains the glaciers below the Hornli ridge

The moraine of the glaciers below the Matterhorn

the stream that drains the glaciers,the grey colour comes from the sand that filters through

the bridge over the stream

Peter on the bridge

From Hirli looking back at the Moraine,you have to enlarge to see the scale

a ski signpost at Hirli

At schwarzee looking back at Hirli and the Matterhorn

Lake Schwarzee

small Chapel by the lake

the cafeteria at Schwarzee has the most amazing views

views across the valley from Schwarzee

A new trail,its only been properly marked in the last few years.We started with the Furi cable car and then the giant lift to Trockener Steg (105 people capacity).Small break at the top to get used to the thin air (the station is around 3000m) have a coffe and enjoy the superb views.we headed east towards the Matterhorn and always below the gigantic Theodul glacier,the path lasted up to the first lake below the station,after that we had to follow the painted marks and the flagpoles.The trail continous over the moraine of a glacier from the last ice age ,quite rough under foot and for most of its length at 3000m.we trekked round numerous lakes with the Matterhorn always in the background.The views of the Matterhorn were very good as we were very close,for the first time we could see clearly the Hornli Hut and the Hornli Arete from very close(even the Solvay hut half way up the Matterhorn was visible).About half way we started to descend towards the modern maraine of the Theodul and Matterhorn Glaciers.Once in the moraine we followed a grey coloured river below the hornli ridge,we crossed a bridge and started ascending towards the Hornli path.At the top we had lunch enjoyed the views of the whole Zermatt valley.The last part of the trail followed the Hornli hut path on a very steep descend all the way to Schwarsee.The station is located on a balcony overlooking Zermatt above a lake with the same name.A very enjoyable day,stunning scenery,very good weather with clear skies and plenty of opportunities for good photos.