Zermatt - Trift - Zmutt Village Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

This loop combines some of the best running trails in the area. There are two big climbs that provide unprecedented views of the town of Zermatt and the surrounding peaks including the Wisshorn and the Matterhorn!

There is cell phone coverage throughout most of the entire route. This loop can be done in either direction. You'll encounter the steeper elevation gain on the climbs if you run the direction shown on this track (counterclockwise).

This run is best done in the early morning before potential thunderstorms build. Also sunscreen is a must for protection at the these high elevations with the clear skies.

This trail starts in the downtown of Zermatt, where you slide off the main street and begin a gradual ascent on a paved path going away from the town center. After about a mile, the path turns to singletrack and begins to climb through a series of tight switchbacks on smooth singletrack track that take you on a nearly 2,500 foot climb.

Longer switchbacks continue and finally level out on the trail that is cut into the side of a steep, grass-covered mountainside. It will be difficult to keep your eyes on the trail with the amazing 360-degree views.

The trail then starts a long descent towards an outpost called Trift. Once you come to the building at Trift, you cross an ice cold glacier-fed stream and begin the second climb on the opposite side of the valley. From there, you'll continue again on beautiful singletrack cut into the side of the hill. All along this section you'll have full view the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks.

A highlight of the trek down into the last valley is a 100 foot waterfall with the Matterhorn as the backdrop. The last two miles of trail winds down from the hillside and follows along the river back toward Zmutt Village to a wide doubletrack paved portion back into Zermatt.

During the height of summer (mid-June to mid-July) tiny, but beautiful wildflowers abound on the hillsides. You may also find herds of sheep grazing well above 8,000 feet of elevation.