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Tour du Cervin Day 4: Cabane Gandeg - Zermatt

This walk is part of the trek The Matterhorn Tour.

A Tour du Cervin alternative today, visiting the north side of the colossal peak before reaching Zermatt.

Technical sheet
No. 109951
A Zermatt walk posted on 30/03/15 by bernardino. Update : 23/09/16
Calculated time Calculated time: 4h55[?]
Distance Distance : 15.56km
Vertical gain Vertical gain : 214m
Vertical drop Vertical drop : 1630m
Highest point Highest point : 3019m
Lowest point Lowest point : 1596m
Average Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point Back to starting point : No
Walking Walking
Area Area : Alps
Location Location : Zermatt
Starting point Starting point : N 45.964075° / E 7.725358°
Arrival Arrival : N 46.023526° / E 7.751879°
Download : -

Description

Start heading down due north until you get to the Matterhorn trail crossing (D). Take a left down a path which remains pretty much flat until Furggsee Lake (1).

Then go down a slight hill towards Hirli gondola lift upper station (2). Head east bypassing Scharzsee Hamlet Lake , you'll come across another gondola lift, take the trail to the left. Cross the Hirli gondola lift line near high point 2500 (3). Carry on, heading west before taking the trail to the right leading to Hirli lower station (4).

After several twists and turns, walk along a large path reaching a trail crossing which leads to Zmuttbach River dam (5).

Take this trail which is on the left, cross over the dam and take the trail to the right leading to Zmutt village (6), reaching an access ramp towards Tour du Cervin.

Take the ramp (7) leading to Zermatt and the Youth Hostile (8), and that's it for today.

Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. km 0
1 : km 0.77 - alt. km 0.77
2 : km 3.69 - alt. km 3.69
3 : km 5.86 - alt. km 5.86
4 : km 7.88 - alt. km 7.88
5 : km 9.19 - alt. km 9.19
6 : km 10.74 - alt. km 10.74
7 : km 11.77 - alt. km 11.77
8 : km 13.98 - alt. km 13.98
A : km 15.56 - alt. km 15.56

Useful Information

Lots of water found in the streams, be careful as the water comes straight from the glaciers and could cause digestive unpleasantness.
A break at one of the several Zmutt refreshment bars is a must for 2 reasons:
- there's a stunning view of the northern side of the Cervin
- complete with the opportunity to enjoy a local drink.

Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.

During the walk or to do/see around

Zmutt, it's chalets and lanes, a small gem at the foot of the Cervin.
Zermatt, it's shops and anything relating to this hot spot for mountaineers. And the finishing touch has to be the electric cars, but be careful... you don't hear them coming.

Other walks in the area

Walking Tour du Cervin Jay 5: Zermatt - Europahutte
distance 16.78km Vertical gain +1491m Vertical drop -822m Durée 8h20 Average Average
Starting point Starting point in Zermatt - Valais

An easy climb reaching part of Zermatt ski slopes, extending to an uphill-downhill balcony trail leading to the famous Europahutte (Hut).

Watch out: The Himalayan footbridge just before Europahutte is currently out of service. You'll need to head down to Randa valley along the second blue marked trail on the map before heading back up to the hut (allow for 2 extra hours).

Walking The Matterhorn Tour D3: Perrucco Vuillermoz Refuge - Gandeg Cabin
distance 19.33km Vertical gain +1570m Vertical drop -1422m Durée 9h15 Difficult Difficult
Starting point Starting point in Valtournenche - Province de Aosta

Discover the giant that resides here, the splendid Matterhorn itself, before getting a closer look in the evening at the Gandeg cabin.

Walking The Matterhorn Tour Day 2: Prarayer Refuge - Perrucco Vuillermoz Refuge
distance 5.81km Vertical gain +1100m Vertical drop -221m Durée 4h15 Very difficult Very difficult
Starting point Starting point in Bionaz - Province de Aosta

Stage starting in pasture which quickly heads into the high mountains passing through the Valcornera pass.

Walking Tour du Cervin Day 6: Europahutte - Gasenreid (then Saint Nicklaus)
distance 15.1km Vertical gain +856m Vertical drop -1997m Durée 6h20 Difficult Difficult
Starting point Starting point in Randa - Valais

A new balcony stage at the foot of high summits separating the Zermatt and Saas Fee valleys.

Walking The Matterhorn Tour Day 1: The Léchère - Prarayer Refuge
distance 4.46km Vertical gain +184m Vertical drop -134m Durée 1h45 Easy Easy
Starting point Starting point in Bionaz - Province de Aosta

Warm-up walk to reach the Prarayer refuge along the right bank of the lake.

Walking The Matterhorn Tour
distance 157.19km Vertical gain +11614m Vertical drop -11563m Durée 10 days Difficult Difficult
Starting point Starting point in Bionaz - Province de Aosta

Undertaken over 10 days, this circuit around the Matterhorn is outstanding. Each day it takes you over the 4000 m peaks of this alpine range. As it is located in 2 countries, Italy and Switzerland, it also brings you into contact with three European languages: Italian, German and also French in Valais in Switzerland.

Walking Tour du cervin day 10: Arolla - Refuge de Prarayer (Prarayer Shelter)
distance 16.78km Vertical gain +1206m Vertical drop -1167m Durée 7h40 Very difficult Very difficult
Starting point Starting point in Evolène - Valais

A high mountain stage which requires hiking boots with crampons to cross the Arolla glacier. You should get an early start for this long stage of the hike.

Walking Tour du Cervin day 9: Villa Evolène (then Arolla)
distance 26.12km Vertical gain +2156m Vertical drop -1798m Durée 12h35 Very difficult Very difficult
Starting point Starting point in Ayer - Valais

A long stage through two passes however, shortened by the cable car link in Zinal and the coach transfer between Villa Evolène and Arolla.

Warning: Taking into account the cable car transport, the positive altitude isn't 2156 m as indicated but only 1380 m.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.