Drover Trail (Nr. 25)

Once, the huts in the bare rocky landscape at Trockener Steg relied on mule-drivers (“Säumer”) for the supply of provisions and wood for burning. Archaeological artefacts are constantly being found in this region (see note below). Today, the crag is home to the large cable car station with restaurants and shop. From here, visitors access the highest point in Europe that can be reached by cable car, at Matterhorn glacier paradise (3,883 m).

The hiking trail traces a route through a landscape dominated by rocks, scree and boulders polished smooth by long-receded glaciers. The further the path descends, the greater the variety of vegetation. Whereas higher up, the main splashes of colour among the rock are provided by lichen, lower down, grasses, mosses and flowering plants adorn the trail, to the delight of nature lovers.

• Trockener Steg: from the restaurant terrace, striking view of the Matterhorn
• The Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis in the village, has archaeological finds from the area on display (stone axe, 3000–5000 BC)