Circular route from Zermatt via Höhbalmen

I love such contrasts. A few minutes ago we were still walking through the busy pedestrian zone, now the magical world of a colorful flower meadow takes us in. Here a blossom, there a herb. It smells and the bees are buzzing. Our hiking destination is called Höhbalmen. I look up. A guesthouse perches on a rock ledge. We reach it after about an hour. The Edelweiss restaurant on Alterhaupt offers not only food and drink but also a beautiful downward view of the roofs of Zermatt. Behind the guesthouse, the path winds through the gorge of the Triftbach. The silence is heavenly but not surprising. We are here on the west side of Zermatt – and this side is cable car-free. Then it becomes magnificent. First, the Wellenkuppe and Obergabelhorn come into view. Then the mountain guesthouse Trift with its pink, nostalgic facade. Those who did not stop at the Edelweiss restaurant on Alterhaupt should do so now. Then we continue to climb. We see glaciers, ridges, and peaks – then we finally