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Tour du Cervin Jay 5: Zermatt - Europahutte

This walk is part of the trek The Matterhorn Tour.

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).

Technical sheet
No. 4098301
A Zermatt walk posted on 31/03/15 by Tamtraductions. Update : 23/09/16
Calculated time Calculated time: 9h05[?]
Distance Distance : 16.78km
Vertical gain Vertical gain : 1491m
Vertical drop Vertical drop : 822m
Highest point Highest point : 2353m
Lowest point Lowest point : 1601m
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 46.022096° / E 7.75115°
Arrival Arrival : N 46.105858° / E 7.80591°
Download : -

Description

Locate the Tour du Cervin trail in Zermatt, head east and rapidly gain the forest (D). The trail gently weaves through to the ski area and the lower station at the place called Patrullarve (1).

Leave the station to the left heading down a trail due east then north. Once you get to Tufternhutte you'll come to a joint trail "Tour du Cervin - Europaweg" (2). Stick to this level trail all the way to Ottafe Village (3).

Before the village, cross the stream and head north-west, first flat, then slightly downhill then through a forest (4) above Tasch Village. A scree splits the forest up: you can cross easily through the tunnel, a headlamp is useful at this stage. Shortly after, the slope gets steeper and once you get out of the forest the huge himalayan footbridge (5) comes into sight, crossing the valley stretching from two summits, Gross Haupt and Chli Haupt.

Cross it, start a short hike down, then another uphill, reaching Europahutte (6) and that's it for today.

Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 1601m
1 : km 0.5 - alt. 1713m
2 : km 1.97 - alt. 2019m
3 : km 3.63 - alt. 2317m
4 : km 8.61 - alt. 2197m
5 : km 10.73 - alt. 2068m
6 : km 15.95 - alt. 2197m
A : km 16.78 - alt. 2270m

Useful Information

Water supplies at the Ottafe fountains.

Watch out the Himalayan footbridge that we crossed was put in service in 2010. It replaces the tunnels that were used to cross this area where landslides are frequent. There are rumours of a landslide which may have damaged the footbridge, therefore having to cross using the downstream trail.
If you have any recent information regarding this, please let me know.

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

Zermatt and other villages in the valley:
- Tasch where atmospheric engine cars stop,
- Randa, where a huge landslide isolated the upper valley for several months.

Other walks in the area

Walking Tour du Cervin Day 4: Cabane Gandeg - Zermatt
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Starting point Starting point in Zermatt - Valais

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

Walking Tour du Cervin Day 6: Europahutte - Gasenreid (then Saint Nicklaus)
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A new balcony stage at the foot of high summits separating the Zermatt and Saas Fee valleys.

Walking Tour du Cervin day 9: Villa Evolène (then Arolla)
distance 26.12km Vertical gain +2156m Vertical drop -1798m Durée 13h35 Very difficult Very difficult
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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.

Walking Tour du Cervin Day 7 : Saint Nicklaus - Gruben
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Beautiful mountain stage going through a pass by the name of Augstbordpass.

Walking The Matterhorn Tour D3: Perrucco Vuillermoz Refuge - Gandeg Cabin
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Walking Valais Day 4: Refuge de la Sage - Cabane Bella Tola (La Sage Lodge - Bella Tola Hut)
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A long climb to Torrent Pass before reaching Moiry Lake, then Saint-Luc by bus, Tignousa by cable car and finally Bella Tola by foot.
Think about correcting the distance indicated by points (5) et (6) : you need to deduct 10 km.

Walking The Matterhorn Tour Day 2: Prarayer Refuge - Perrucco Vuillermoz Refuge
distance 5.81km Vertical gain +1100m Vertical drop -221m Durée 4h50 Very difficult Very difficult
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Stage starting in pasture which quickly heads into the high mountains passing through the Valcornera pass.

Walking Valais Day 7: Grachen - Saas-Fee
distance 18.33km Vertical gain +1568m Vertical drop -1374m Durée 9h45 Difficult Difficult
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So here's the last stage of this itinarary and what a stage! A delightful climb reaching Hannigalp to find the well-known balcony trail overlooking the valley leading to Saas Fee.

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