Exploring Täschalp: A Hidden Gem Hike Near Zermatt

Täschalp 2157m – Täschhütte 2701m – Mellichbach – Täschalp

Philippe was looking for a less touristy hike around the bustling town of Zermatt. After enjoying a peaceful trek from Täschalp the previous day, where we encountered only a handful of other hikers, we decided to explore the quieter trails around Täsch.

We persuaded a friendly staff member at the local tourist office to store our luggage before catching the Alpenbus, which carried us up to an altitude of over 2,000 meters. Despite the overcast skies, Philippe was optimistic the weather would improve. From Täschalp, we set out on a steady 650-meter ascent toward the Täschhütte, which was already visible in the distance.

The trail was nearly deserted, save for a single hiker descending in the opposite direction. The mighty Weisshorn occasionally revealed itself through the shifting clouds on one side, while the sharp silhouette of the Täschhorn (4,088m) and its gleaming glacier dominated the view ahead.

Exactly 1 hour and 20 minutes later, as promised, we arrived just below the hut. Finding a sunny spot, we settled down to enjoy our sandwiches. True to Philippe’s prediction, the sun broke through, revealing breathtaking views of the Rimpfischhorn (4,199m) and the Mellich Glacier. After a bit of sunbathing, a brisk wind forced us to retreat into the hut, where we warmed up with a rather underwhelming minestrone and some cake, served in its spotless interior.

Leaving the hut, we followed directions toward Mellichbach. However, the path proved tricky to follow, and we briefly lost our way among the rocks. After some backtracking, we rejoined the blue-and-white-marked trail, though its route was sometimes hard to discern. A quick GPS check confirmed we were on course as we descended a steep, rugged trail alongside the glacier-fed river. The atmosphere felt eerie, with a chill in the air, but we were relieved to reach the riverbed.

From there, the route back to Täschalp was straightforward. Along the way, we passed hunters armed with rifles and serious climbers equipped for more ambitious ascents, each group adding to the unique character of the day’s adventure.

After waiting for nearly an hour on a charming bench near the church, we were grateful to board the warm bus for the descent to Täsch. This hike stood out from our previous ones—remote, untamed, and profoundly connected to the raw beauty of wild nature.