Tufteren High Trail: Täschalp – Tufteren – Zermatt, Swiss Alps

The Tufteren High Trail is a scenic balcony trail that connects Täschalp with Tufteren, high above the Mattertal Valley in the Valais Alps of Switzerland. 

Along the way, the Matterhorn serves as your guiding star, steering you south to Zermatt. 

We loved every second of this short and easy day hike. The pain-reward ratio is 0% pain 100% reward. 

This point-to-point hike follows the Europaweg, a 35-km hike from Grächen to Zermatt, and also the tail-end of the Chamonix-Zermatt Walker’s Haute Route. 

Getting to the trailhead requires some planning. In the summer months, there’s a paid shuttle that runs between Täsch and Täschalp twice in the morning. The shuttle departs in front of the Täsch tourist office.

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Tufteren High Trail Map

To view an interactive map of this hike, take a look at our Zermatt hiking guide.

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Essential Trail Info

How to Get to Täschalp | First, take the train to Täsch, the village north of Zermatt. Second, walk to the Täsch tourist office (Google Maps), located near the Täsch train station. And lastly, ride the 8-person taxi to Täschalp. 

Täschalp Taxi Service | Consult zermatt.swiss for additional information about the taxi service. Click the “Information taxi service Täschalp” link for departure times (“Abfahrt”) and current prices. Pay your taxi driver directly in cash. If you’re traveling with a group, you must register in advance by contacting the tourism office. 

Hiking Season | Late June – October, when the taxi is operating and the trail is snow-free.

Trail Direction | Start in Täschalp and hike south. 

Difficulty | Easy-moderate. 

Trail Variations | You can forgo the shuttle and hike from Täsch to Täschalp via Eggenstadel (4 km, 2:30 hours, 733 meters elevation gain).

Trail Number | If you’re looking at a Zermatt summer tourist map, this is trail #48. 

Where to Eat | Tufternalp Restaurant  (cash only) at Tufteren. 

Safety | Unfortunately, this hike doubles as a mountain biking path. Be mindful for your own safety. In mid-September, we didn’t encounter any bikers until Tufteren.

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Tufteren High Trail Description

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Täschalp to Tufteren (2 hours)

From the car park at Täschalp, follow the footpath down to the Täschbach stream. After crossing the timber footbridge, the trail rises in gentle switchbacks to a signed trail junction. 

Turn right in the direction of Tufteren (1:40 hours), Sunnegga (2:15 hours), and Zermatt (3 hours). 

With the snow-dusted Weisshorn in full view, the well-groomed path wends its way along the timber line above Täschbach Valley. There are sweeping views of the Täschalp mountain pasture and its many huts. 

As the balcony path contours southward, traversing the eastern slopes of Mattertal Valley,  Matterhorn comes into focus. From this angle, you’ll see the iconic east and north faces of Switzerland’s most iconic mountain. 

The narrow trail is remarkably smooth, even when crossing precipitous slopes. In some places, the path is bolstered with cement, cable fencing, and stairs. 

After crossing a rock fall zone, the trail leads to a viewpoint of Zermatt. 

Continue to Tufteren (2,215 m), a small hamlet with traditional stilted barns called Gädini. The Tufternalp Restaurant serves a small menu of dishes during the day (cash only). 

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Tufteren to Sunnegga (35 minutes)

Follow the wide forest trail to Sunnegga, which forms part of the thematic Blumenweg (trail #3).

At regular intervals, there are info boards explaining the indigenous flora: larch, alpenrose, Swiss Stone pine, etc…. While often such boards are difficult to read due to verbosity and poor translations, these boards are very well written and interesting. 

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Sunnegga – Findeln – Zermatt (1:20 hours)

Sunnegga is a busy crossroads, because it’s the mountain station of the Zermatt-Sunnegga funicular and the valley station of the Sunnegga-Blauherd-Rothorn cableways. 

While you certainly can take the funicular down to Zermatt, we recommend hiking down via Findeln, a small hamlet above the Findel Gorge, home to a collection of enticing mountain restaurants. 

Bypass Lake Leisee and follow the Gourmetweg (trail #6) down to Findeln (2051 m). Along the way, you’ll pass @Paradise, Chez Vrony, and Findlerhof. 

When the trail splits, follow the left trail in the direction of Winkelmatten, leaving the Gourmetweg. 

The path dips below the tree line and descends in gentle serpentines. 

When you intersect with the Gornergrat Railway tracks, cross the tracks and make a sharp right. Follow the train tracks for a few meters and then continue descending through forest to the Am-Stalden path. 

Wrap around the meadow and turn right onto Staldenstrasse.

Hike through Zermatt to your final destination.  

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Where to Stay

Täsch

The village of Täsch is located in the Matter Valley, north of Zermatt. It’s only one stop away from Zermatt on the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway (14 minutes). Those arriving by car must park their vehicle in Täsch and continue the journey to Zermatt by train. Compared to Zermatt, Täsch offers more affordable accommodations and parking. 

The good-value-for-money Hotel Matterhorn Inn, standing across from the Täsch Train Station, offers free parking, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a sauna. 

Look for accommodation in Täsch.

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Zermatt

Zermatt is packed with hotels, chalets, and apartments. In the town center, we recommend Schweizerhof Zermatt – a Small Luxury Hotel (luxury) and The Omnia (luxury), which enjoys direct elevator access to the heart of town.

Haus Zer Weidu (budget-friendly apartment), SCHLOSS Zermatt – Active & CBD Spa Hotel (luxury), Wellness Hotel Alpenhof (luxury) are all great options near the train station. 

Across the Matter Vispa River, you’ll find more standout accommodations like Jolimont Apartments (midrange), Hotel Bristol (midrange), Hotel Daniela (midrange-luxury), Europe Hotel & Spa Zermatt (luxury), and Youth Hostel Zermatt (budget). 

Look for accommodation in Zermatt. 

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Keep Reading about Switzerland

Zermatt:

• Gornergrat Hike
• Edelweissweg Hike
• Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge Hike

Lake Lucerne Region:

• Lucerne Itinerary for Hikers
• 2-Day Stanserhorn-Engelberg Hike
• Walenpfad Panorama Trail
• Stoos Ridge Trail

Appenzell:

• Appenzell (Appenzellerland) Region Guide 
• Appenzell Village: Hotels, Restaurants, and Museums
• Best Hikes in Appenzell
• 3-Day Alpstein High Trail Trek

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