Information
Landmark: Trockener StegCity: Zermatt
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe
Trockener Steg, Zermatt, Switzerland, Europe
Overview
Trockener Steg is a lofty mountain pass in the Swiss Alps, a favorite spot in Zermatt where the air feels thin and the peaks seem close enough to touch.Perched 2,939 meters above sea level (9,639 feet), it’s the main launch point for adventurers heading into the rugged slopes surrounding the iconic Matterhorn.From here, you can take in sweeping alpine views, set out on hiking trails or ski runs, and follow routes that link the Zermatt valley to lofty destinations like the icy Matterhorn Glacier and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.Here are the standout features of Trockener Steg-think sweeping glacier views and crisp mountain air.Trockener Steg sits high on the Matterhorn Glacier, tucked between the jagged peak of the Matterhorn and the windswept Theodul Pass.It serves as a hub for travelers heading between Zermatt and Italy’s Alpine side, especially the town of Cervinia, and you can reach it from Zermatt in minutes on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car, where the wind bites and the peaks seem close enough to touch.The ride up treats you to sweeping views of the surrounding peaks, with the Matterhorn’s jagged silhouette cutting into the sky.Trockener Steg buzzes with skiers, hikers, and climbers, many using it as a launch point for nearby slopes or for routes toward the Matterhorn Glacier and Theodul Pass.One of its biggest draws is how close it sits to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise-also called the Klein Matterhorn-the highest cable car station in Europe at 3,883 meters (12,740 feet).From here, you can glide up to the Glacier Paradise for a 360-degree mountain panorama, wander through the glittering ice tunnels of the Glacier Palace, or step into snow no matter the season.As part of the vast Zermatt-Cervinia-Valtournenche ski area, Trockener Steg opens the door to more than 360 kilometers (224 miles) of slopes, making it a prime spot for high-altitude skiing and snowboarding.Skiers can glide over the snow from Switzerland into Italy, crossing the border with each turn.Skiers here love exploring the off-piste slopes and freeride zones, while the Matterhorn Glacier serves up long runs over crisp, glittering snow.From Trockener Steg, a quieter base than the busy lower resorts, you can set out for glacier skiing or begin a day of hiking and mountaineering high in the alpine air.From Trockener Steg, you can set out on high-altitude trails that wind toward the Matterhorn Glacier or climb toward the Theodul Pass linking Switzerland and Italy.Another favorite is the Gornergrat trail, where bright ice and jagged peaks fill the horizon.Many mountaineers start here to take on the Matterhorn’s steep face or other formidable summits nearby.It also offers glacier trekking tours for anyone eager to step onto the ice fields themselves.From Trockener Steg, the air feels sharp and cold as visitors take in sweeping views of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Breithorn, and other towering Pennine Alps peaks.This region is famous for its striking scenery-glaciers, jagged ridges, and slopes buried in snow.From Trockener Steg, you can see the vast Gorner Glacier, its ice shimmering under the sun and stretching across a rugged sweep of peaks.The Matterhorn Glacier Ride, a state-of-the-art cable car, links Trockener Steg to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.The ride glides smoothly from the Swiss side to Europe’s highest cable car station, with glaciers gleaming white against jagged peaks outside the window.Trockener Steg and its surrounding slopes lie in a fragile Alpine zone, where climate change leaves its mark more each year.Scientists and environmentalists worry about the shrinking glaciers here, as the area shows clearly how alpine ecosystems are changing-meltwater trickles through rocky gullies in summer.Conservation teams work to protect its rare natural features.Trockener Steg, in the heart of Zermatt, draws visitors with its mix of thrilling adventures, breathtaking vistas, and access to top-tier ski runs and mountaineering trails.Whether you’re carving down the Matterhorn Glacier, winding through pine-scented alpine trails, or just soaking in the sweeping views of the Alps, Trockener Steg is the gateway to the wild, jagged peaks of the Matterhorn and the mountains beyond.If you love the outdoors or the quiet beauty of nature, you can’t skip this spot when you’re in Zermatt-it’s like stepping into a postcard.
