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Hiking Trails

Hiking trailModerate

Mark Twain Path (No. 18)

In the footsteps of the American writer Mark Twain: A leisurely hiking trail at Riffelberg with breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Mark Twain satirized the 19th-century expeditions into the alpine world of Zermatt with his satirical text "Climbing the Riffelberg".

Details

TypeRoute tour

DifficultyModerate

Duration50 min

Distance3.4 km

Ascent0 m

Descent375 m

Lowest point2208 m

Highest point2582 m

Get ticket

Details

TypeRoute tour

DifficultyModerate

Duration50 min

Distance3.4 km

Ascent0 m

Descent375 m

Lowest point2208 m

Highest point2582 m

Get ticket

Description

Recommendation: The reading of "Climbing the Riffelberg", a small book in German and in the original English language. Mark Twain (1835–1910) mocks the fuss that 19th-century expeditions made when they wanted to explore the alpine world of Zermatt.

Cinematic imagination and breathtaking view
Anyone who has actually read the book as a personal expedition preparation can visit Hotel Riffelberg at the very start of the trail and breathe in alpine history. Mark Twain very likely stayed here. Because it is the oldest mountain hotel (built in 1855) in Zermatt.

Then it continues leisurely down to Riffelalp, where the Riffelalp Resort is today. The hotel was built from 1874 to 1884. It can be assumed that Mark Twain saw the hotel under construction, as he arrived in Zermatt on August 27, 1878 and stayed for some time.

Hiking and the book provide wonderful cinematic imagination and an incredible view of the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and the most famous mountains over 4,000 m surrounding the Zermatt valley basin.