Plateau Rosa demanding glacier hike from Zermatt
Go with a mountain guide on a challenging hike on Plateau Rosa over the glacier to Trockener Steg. The glacier hike is done roped up and safely guided.
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Highlights
- Take the mountain lifts with your mountain guide to Testa Grigia station (Plateau Rosa)
- Hire crampons, a climbing harness and a pole from ZERMATTERS in Zermatt in advance if needed
- Get expert guidance from a professional local mountain guide
- Cross the Theodul Glacier at Plateau Rosa safely with crampons and roped up with your mountain guide
Description
You go from the valley station Matterhorn Express together with the mountain guide to the train station Plateau Rosa in Testa Grigia. In the SnowXperience store at the top station Plateau Rosa you get your equipment for a fee. Afterwards you start your glacier tour over the Plateau Rosa to the Trockene Steg. Pure hiking time: approx. 5 hours.
On this glacier hike you will overcome about 700 meters of altitude difference in the descent and 200 meters of altitude difference in the ascent.
Requirements:
- T4 - alpine hiking: "Trail not necessarily available. In certain places you need your hands to move forward. Terrain already quite exposed, tricky grassy slopes, scree, easy firn fields and apere glacier passages." (Source: SAC Hiking Scale)
Swiss Activities Tip
The Plateau Rosa glacier field is located at 3480 meters above sea level and is part of the Theodul glacier. The Plateau Rosa train station is located in Testa Grigia on the border with Italy. You reach it via three stages.
- 1st stage: 8-seater gondola Matterhorn-Express (in several sections) to Trockener Steg
- 2nd stage: 3S cable car Matterhorn Glacier Ride to Klein Matterhorn.
- 3rd stage: 3S cable car to Testa Grigia (Plateau Rosa). This ultra-modern train will take you over the Theodul Glacier. It was inaugurated on July 1, 2023.
The ride takes about 50 minutes in total.
Material list
- Good walking shoes
- Small backpack, max. 20 liters
- Comfortable hiking clothes, warm or waterproof depending on the weather
- Water and windproof jacket
- Cap and sun hat, possibly cap
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Little, but energy-rich food
- Drinking bottle
- Crampons, harness, pole (will be provided for a fee)
Inclusions
Approx. 5–6-hour guided glacier tour across the Upper and Lower Theodul Glacier
Mountain guide
One-way mountain railway journey from Zermatt to Testa Grigia (Plateau Rosa) (from CHF 93)
One-way mountain railway journey from Trockener Steg to Zermatt (from CHF 43)
Equipment hire (crampons, climbing harness and pole – from CHF 15 at ZERMATTERS)
Drinks and refreshments
Meeting point
Talstation Matterhorn Express, 3920 Zermatt
Zermatt, Matterhorn Talstation, 3920 Zermatt, Schweiz
Important information
- Meeting point: 07:30 at the Matterhorn Express valley station (depending on the season)
- Private tour: 1–8 people per mountain guide
- Runs daily from the beginning of July to the end of October, weather permitting
- Please contact the tour provider 2–3 days in advance to discuss the final details. You’ll receive the contact details with your booking confirmation.
Provider
Operated by
Zermatters
Verified provider
