- Brief description
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This winter hike goes quite close to the Matterhorn and directly under the mighty North Wall.
- Difficulty
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medium
- Rating
-
- Starting point
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Schwarzsee (2,583 m)
- Route
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Stafelalp3.2 km
- Best season
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AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul
- Description
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There is no other winter hike that takes one as close to the Matterhorn as this one does. The hike goes from Schwarzsee to Stafel with an altitude descent of 380 m. The constant companion at one’s side: The Matterhorn North Wall. Until now, it has presented a real challenge to Alpinists, and there are very few very experienced mountain climbers who have attempted it.
Idyllic chapel at Schwarzsee Good view of the Matterhorn North Wall - Directions
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Schwarzsee - Stafel
(Hiking time in reverse direction: approx. 1h 20)
Tip: The hike can be continued over Stafel-Furi. - Highest point
- 2,576 m
- Endpoint
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Stafel (2,200 m)
- Height profile
- © outdooractive.com
- Equipment
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We recommend:
Good footwear Hiking poles (optional) Warm winter clothing appropriate for the weather - 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. It is forbidden to walk on the ski pistes. Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk.
*The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon. - Tips
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Don’t forget your camera! The north face of the Matterhorn makes for a fantastic photo.
- Directions
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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 Schwarzsee-Stafel (Nr. 123) is used by outdooractive.com provided.
General info
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Unterwallis
157
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Mattertal
89
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Zermatt
29