Klettersteig Zermatt-Schweifinen Route C

Duration

30 min

Distance

1.5 km

Ascent

190 m

Descent

-

Elevation

-

From Zermatt train station (1605 m), follow Bahnhofstrasse through town and turn right just past the Alpinezentrum, following signs toward Trift. Climb the footpath past Hotel Omnia, out of the village, across the plateau at Bodmen, and toward the Triftschlucht. Just before the bridge over the Triftbach, turn sharply right to reach the start of the via ferrata (about 1800 m, roughly 30 minutes).

Duration

3 h

Distance

1.3 km

Ascent

480 m

Descent

-

Elevation

2,210 m

Route A climbs left through earthy, rocky ground to an intersection; a dead-end branch leads to an abseil point above the Triftbach (guide recommended) near the "Beresina-hut im Pudel" (1920 m). From here, Route B ascends an old stone staircase toward the crux above the Turuwang wall. Most parties descend via Route A along a forested ledge before Route B branches left, following the historic path to the Beresina hut. The route then climbs the smooth, partly overhanging Turuwang wall, exiting via a metal ladder—the technical crux of the tour. A descent follows through mostly vertical ground with an exposed traverse on wooden rungs, then an exit through the Turu forest where Routes B and C split (about 1890 m). Route C continues with a diagonal descent across gullies, a steep forearm-intensive climb, and a ladder passing a wooden Madonna placed by first-ascensionist Walter Perren in 1984. The path crosses a shoulder, descends again past a waterfall (flowing mainly in early summer—caution on slippery rock), then climbs once more via a partly vertical section past a decorative water tap. A further wire ladder leads to the summit register, followed by an easier final ladder. The ferrata ends around 2110 m; cross the grassy Schweifinen slopes to reach the hiking trail at 2180 m.

Duration

1 h

Distance

3.1 km

Ascent

80 m

Descent

580 m

Elevation

-

From the top of the ferrata, follow the footpath north along the cliff edge, then descend south via Balmen (1702 m). Continue south on the trail above the train station and loop back down to Zermatt station.