Heidnisch Tossu

Distance 7.63 km

Duration 2:50 Hours

Difficulty medium

Information

To reach the start of the route, you have the choice between an uphill walk of about an hour from Grächen to Hannigalp or a ride on the fairy-tale gondola. At the summit, you will find an ultra-modern and family-friendly mountain restaurant with a large sun terrace whose sweeping views take in the iconic Matterhorn. Enjoy refreshments in the sunshine while the children have fun at the indoor «SiSu Wolkenland» play area.

The walk begins with a gentle climb to Heidnisch Tossu and its mountain refuge, where you can stop for a meal or snack and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of 14 peaks higher than 4,000 metres. You then follow a relatively demanding rocky trail that descends through the forest to the idyllic lake of «Z Seew», above the village of Grächen. Here, you can dip your feet in the refreshing waters of the Kneipp hydrotherapy pools or relax at the Hotel/Restaurant «Zum See», beside the lake.

Characteristics

Ascent

381 Metres

Technique

Descent

884 Metres

Fitness level

Highest point

2.512 Metres

Quality of the experience

Lowest point

1.619 Metres

Scenery

Best season

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

POI details

From the village square in Grächen, walk in the direction of the gondola base station, and then either ride up in a gondola or follow the signs for the steep path up to Hannigalp. At the summit, take the path towards Heidnisch Tossu/Seetal. When you reach the mountain hut of Heidnisch Tossu, follow the signs for Lowizig/z Seew/Grächen. Down at the lakeshore, follow the lane to the village of Grächen.

Regular train services link the whole of Switzerland to Visp; here, change onto one of the narrow-gauge cog trains of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. These run every half-hour from Visp to St. Niklaus through Switzerland’s deepest valley. In St. Niklaus, change onto a bus for Grächen. At weekends and on public holidays, a direct bus can take you direct from Visp to Grächen. For the return journey, once again take a PostBus and a train of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn down to Visp.

Drive to Visp, and then follow the signs for Zermatt as far as St. Niklaus. Here, after the first roundabout, turn left towards Grächen. The resort of Grächen is partially car-free; access for private cars is permitted only as far as the village centre. Hoteliers, holiday home providers, taxis and transport companies provide transport services to guests staying in the car-free part of Grächen.

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