Oberrothorn (3415 m) is one of my favourites. It is the highest hiking trail in Zermatt and the views will leave your mouth open. Panorama of 38 (!) 4000 m peaks will leave you breathless.
So how can you get there?
There’s few options (as always).
- for not so lazy hikers: start in Zermatt (1680 m) and make it an all day adventure since it’s then long way up and down. You can go through Findeln, Sunnegga and then Stellisee. From then continue direction Fluhalp and Oberrothorn. Long long hike though. You can also go through Tuftern and then up to Rothorn. More about Rothorn hike: here.
- for semi-motivated hikers: take a lift up to Blauherd (2571 m) and go to Stellisee (more about this hike: here) . Continue as said before direction Fluhalp and then up to Oberrothorn.
- for not so motivated but still…: take a lift all the way up to Rothorn (3103 m). From Rothorn the hike length is only around 3 km and it should take you around 1,5 hour.
All the options are a win. All of them offer stunning views and the target is the same so it’s up to you. I actually did all three of them when I was living in Zermatt and would recommend spending the whole day on this hike and starting in the village. Then you can admire all different types of Zermatt flora. First the hike will take you through the woods, then the landscape starts to change and in the end there’s just a bare landscape of rock and scree. When you choose to go down a bit later during the day you might be lucky enough (as we were) to see tons of mountain animals. Priceless.
Practical information:
Starting point: Zermatt (1620-80 m), Sunnegga (2288 m), Blauherd (2571 m) or Rothorn (3103 m)
Target: Oberrothorn (3415 m)
Hike lenght: If you are starting your hike from Zermatt – about 5 -6 hours depending on which hiking trail you choose.
Tips: Take hiking sticks to take some pressure of your knees. It says it’s a difficult hike but to be honest it’s not. Difficulty is the length of it if you decide to do the whole round.
Text: Agnieszka Wajs
Photos: Martin Libeck and Agnieszka Wajs
