- Brief description
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It’s not every day that walkers have the chance to tackle the highest hiking trail in Zermatt (3,415 m). The view of 38 mountains above 4,000 metres is dramatic and inspiring. Along the way, sculptures invite hikers to engage in philosophical contemplation of the mountains all around.
- Difficulty
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difficult
- Rating
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- Starting point
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Rothorn (3'103 m)
- Route
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Foto-Spot RothornRothorn0.0 kmOberrothorn (3,413 m)2.9 km
- Best season
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Description
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The path climbs steadily into the boundless liberty of unspoilt nature. The bare landscape of rock and scree encourages reflexion. Hikers marvel at the different grasses and tiny flowers along the path. It’s amazing that they should survive such extremes of heat, cold and aridity, together with butterflies and buzzing insects. Stones and sand reveal an abundance of colours; minerals in the rock glitter in the sunlight.
Sculptures with information in German, English, French, Japanese Rare endemic plants (literature note)
The Path to Freedom is also a nature trail with a philosophical theme, portraying the evolution of minerals to life forms through sculptures of metal and glass. - Directions
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Rothorn - Oberrothorn
(Hiking time for the walk back: approx. 1h 05)
This hike is marked on the signposts as “Weg zur Freiheit”.
- Highest point
- 3,399 m
- Endpoint
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Oberrothorn (3'415 m)
- Height profile
- © outdooractive.com
- Equipment
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We recommend:
Good footwear Hiking poles (optional) Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof) - Safety instructions
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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
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Botanists, take note: rare endemic plants to be discovered.
- Arrival
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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. - Public transportation
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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). - Parking
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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”.
- Author
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The tour Path to Freedom (Nr. 13) is used by outdooractive.com provided.
General info
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Oberwallis
1846
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Mattertal
553
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Täsch
196