Difficulty
K2
Moderate via ferrata
K2
Car-free possible
Zermatt, VS
Klettersteig Zermatt-Schweifinen Route A
Route A is the easiest of the three Zermatt-Schweifinen via ferratas, graded K2 but largely K1, climbing the steep.
Image: AT Verlag
Current status
Unknown
No reliable current status yet
Checked 2 h ago
Total time
50 min
Approach + via ferrata + descent
Route description Read more Show less Route A is the easiest of the three Zermatt-Schweifinen via ferratas, graded K2 but largely K1, climbing the steep, partly vegetated rocks above the village. Sponsored by Mammut, it offers fine views over Zermatt's rooftops and can be done independently of the harder Routes B and C. The whole outing, including approach and descent, takes about 1¾ hours.
Route A is the easiest of the three Zermatt-Schweifinen via ferratas, graded K2 but largely K1, climbing the steep, partly vegetated rocks above the village. Sponsored by Mammut, it offers fine views over Zermatt's rooftops and can be done independently of the harder Routes B and C. The whole outing, including approach and descent, takes about 1¾ hours.
Route map
Download GPXZoomable topographic map showing available approach, via ferrata, descent, start, finish, and parking geometry. The Download GPX link near the route map heading provides the same route geometry as a file.
Annotated route info/map available from sac-cas.ch.
Approach / VF / Descent
Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.
Total: 50 min
Approach
Access- Duration
- 30 min
- Distance
- 1.5 km
- Ascent
- 190 m
- Descent
- -
- Elevation
- -
From Zermatt train station (1605 m), follow Bahnhofstrasse and turn right after the Alpinezentrum, signed for Trift. Climb the path past Hotel Omnia, cross the plateau at Bodmen, and head toward the Triftschlucht. Just before the bridge over the Triftbach, turn sharply right to reach the ferrata start at about 1800 m (around 30 minutes).
Via ferrata
K2- Duration
- -
- Distance
- 625 m
- Ascent
- 120 m
- Descent
- -
- Elevation
- 2,210 m
Route A ascends earthy, rocky ground bearing left to a junction; a dead-end spur leads to an abseil point above an exposed drop over the Triftbach (recommended only with a guide). Shortly after, the route passes the so-called 'Beresina-hut im Pudel' at 1920 m. Most parties continue on Route A along a forested ledge—once the old path to the Beresina hut—until Route B branches off to the left; Route A then descends to the base of the wall.
Descent
Exit- Duration
- 20 min
- Distance
- 897 m
- Ascent
- -
- Descent
- 170 m
- Elevation
- -
From the end of the ferrata, follow the marked footpath back down to Zermatt train station, roughly 20 minutes.
- Total duration
- 50 min
- Total distance
- 2.1 km
- Total ascent
- 310 m
- Total descent
- -
Escape points
No escape point details are recorded yet.
Opening season
Typical published season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Transport
Plan around the trailhead, parking, and public transport links.
Last lift down
Check operator
Route feel
VFOS editorial ratings on a 1-5 scale.
Variety
How much the route changes in movement and terrain.
- -
Complexity
Route-finding and technical problem-solving beyond pure grade.
- -
Beauty
Scenery, setting, and overall aesthetic quality.
- -
Exposure
Airiness and exposure independent of technical difficulty.
- -
Sustained effort
How continuous or relentless the physical effort feels.
- -
Crux tags
No crux tags are recorded yet.
SAC-CAS route profile
Source ratings on the SAC-CAS 1-4 scale.
- Mountain experience
- 1/4
- Power
- 2/4
- Endurance
- 1/4
- Psyche
- 1/4
Photos
2 source photos
Safety notes
Check current local information before setting off.
Emergency
In Switzerland, call Rega on 1414 for mountain rescue. European emergency number: 112.
Mobile signal
Cell coverage can be patchy in gorges, valleys, and behind ridges. Download route notes and tell someone your plan.
Storms
Avoid thunderstorms and wet rock. Via ferrata cables can become hazardous quickly in poor weather.
Sources & data Attribution, source priority, and field-review status for this route.
Referenced sources
- Opening season · Zermatt TourismOfficial
https://zermatt.swiss/p/klettersteig-schweifinen-route-a-01tVj000005EwcTIAS
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Opening-season source retained for status provenance.
- SAC-CAS approachOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/schweifinen-7800/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-klettersteig-zermatt-schweifinen-1821/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
- SAC-CAS returnOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/schweifinen-7800/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-klettersteig-zermatt-schweifinen-route-a-b-1825/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
- SAC-CAS via ferrataOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/schweifinen-7800/klettersteig/klettersteig-zermatt-schweifinen-route-a-729/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
Field review
No contested fields are currently flagged.
At a glance
- Location
- Zermatt, VS
- Elevation range
- 2,210 m
- Car-free possible
- Yes
Weather