Heidnische Tossu

Distance 11.84 km

Duration 2:50 Hours

Difficulty medium

Information

For the start of this tour, you have the choice between an approximately one-hour hike from Grächen or a ride in the gondola to the top station on Hannigalp at an altitude of 2,121 m. Here, in addition to the mountain restaurant with its large sun terrace and playgrounds, you also have an impressive view of the Matterhorn. Good physical fitness is required on this varied tour, but your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking views. With a bit of luck, you may also catch a glimpse of ibex..

Characteristics

Ascent

937 Metres

Technique

Descent

937 Metres

Fitness level

Highest point

2.512 Metres

Quality of the experience

Lowest point

1.620 Metres

Scenery

Best season

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

POI details

From the Hannigalp upper mountain station, the path leads you slightly uphill through a refreshing larch forest. Follow the increasingly stony path uphill to Heidnisch Tossu, the highest point of your tour at 2,512 metres above sea level. This features a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding 4,000-metre peaks, including the Weisshorn, the fourth highest mountain in Switzerland. Follow the subsequent rocky and challenging path downhill through the forest via Chrüterubord to Alpe Äbnet. A few metres further on, you can refresh your feet in an idyllic mountain lake or in the Kneipp facility. For the last stretch to Grächen, choose between the slightly longer route on the asphalt road and the steeper downhill version on the forest path to the sports centre.

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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