The Glacier Garden Trail (Nr. 17) explores a high alpine valley carved out by the Gorner glacier over hundreds of years, today filled with larch trees and a rushing river. This area is particularly beautiful in fall when the larch trees turn bright yellow, usually mid-October.

Trail: moderate • 3h • 7.1 km • 100m up, 840m down • see trail map

Open: usually late June to early October • check status

Start: Gornergrat train to Riffelberg. End: Furi gondola station

The trail starts through alpine meadows with Matterhorn views. Then a steep descent to the valley on lots of switchbacks, best for those with hiking experience and steady footing, no knee problems or vertigo.

Follow the river down the mountain, crossing a slightly scary suspension bridge across a deep gorge before you finish. Near the bridge, you'll find a forested picnic area with a nice playground.

Step-by-step

1. Get to the Gornergrat train (Bahnhofplatz 1, 3920 Zermatt) and ride to the Riffelberg stop.

2. Follow trail signs for Gletschergartenweg.

3. Once you reach the river valley, we suggest spending some time wandering up river or picnicking along the water.

4. Then continue the hike down river. When the trail forks, go right, following signs for Gletschergartenweg #17, which will climb some stairs.

5. When you reach the Gletschergarten (fenced area showing geological formations), fork left following signs to the Hängebrücke, Spielplatz, and/or Furi. You might want to check the trail map here to make sure you are going the right way.

6. You'll pass a picnic area and playground. Then cross the suspension bridge.

7. Continue following signs to Furi.

8. The trail ends at the Füri gondola station, where you can ride down to Zermatt or continue hiking down to the village.

➡️Learn more about this hike on SwissFamilyFun.com

Costs

To start, you need a one-way ticket on the Gornergrat mountain train from Zermatt to the Riffelberg stop.

At the end, you need a one-way ticket on the gondola from Furi to Zermatt. Or skip this and hike down to Zermatt.

You can purchase tickets on Zermatt.ch or ticket booths on-site.

Discount with with Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card or GA.