Swiss Stone Pine Trail (Nr. 14)

The Vorderi Wälder region is a nature reserve, home to numerous roe deer. The Swiss stone pine, “King of the Alps”, is as much a feature of the Zermatt landscape as the Matterhorn and the glaciers. The wood, resin and needles of the Swiss stone pine contain a volatile substance called pinosylvin whose scent has a beneficial effect on humans. When a forest of Swiss stone pine is bathed in strong sunshine, the air is full of this soothing aroma.

The forests of Swiss stone pine and larch offer a treat for the eyes, too: endless different shades of green all around, offsetting the copper colour of the forest floor due to the soft pine needles that cover the path. Another delightful surprise is the sight, at a bend in the path, of a waterfall plunging into the Findelbach river.

• The Swiss stone pine is also known as the Swiss pine, Arolla pine or cembra pine

• Swiss stone pines can grow to an age of 1,000 years and a height of 25 m

• Swiss stone pine needles grow in bunches of five

• At Riffelalp, in summer: Europe’s highest-altitude tram