Hikes

Heidnische Tossu

Grächen

12/17°

Open

Varied and challenging hiking tour with breathtaking views of the Valais mountain scenery.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

11.84 km

Duration

2:50 h

Description

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..

Turn-by-turn directions

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.

Start

Hannigalp upper mountain station (1614m)

Destination

Grächen, Village (1614m)

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Author's recommendation

In the midst of unspoilt nature, the bisses, which carry the cold waters from the Ried glacier to the local meadows, are an ideal place to unwind.

Technical information

Altitude

2512m

1620m

Ascent

+937m

Descent

-937m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

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.

Approach

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.

Parking

Parking is available at two car parks: Millegga and Autosilo.

Equipment

We recommend:

good footwear
clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
hat or cap
sunscreen
bottle for water
picnic
camera
binoculars (optional)
hiking poles (optional)
printout of this hike (click «Print» icon, to download)

For certain walks:

Swimwear

Safety information

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

For all hikes:

Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on «Print» icon, top right of this page.
Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Close gates after passing through.
Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
Do not leave any waste in nature.

For mountain hikes:

Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.

For high-altitude hikes:

Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Additional information

More information about the destination:

Grächen

Literature

The tourist office in Grächen / St. Niklaus will provide information regarding trail running in the region.

Maps

SwissTopoMaps 1:25'000: 1308 St. Niklaus

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion