Description

Before you get too carried away and rack up a 200+ kilometre week in Zermatt, try the Matterhorn fitness test while your legs have still got some spring in them.

It evolved as a route used by Zermatt’s Mountain Guides to test the fitness levels of their clients before taking on the Matterhorn.

Now, it also stands as a solid strava segment and a nice challenge for the runner who likes vert…and to hurt.

You will find the track 100 metres east of Hotel Cervo, with a large white sign at the trailhead.

Give it your best push as you climb higher from Zermatt to Sunnegga and don’t slow down until you reach another white sign at the top.

If you are Matterhorn material (which I have no doubt), you’ll arrive at Sunnegga (2242m) in under 60 minutes.

Do it in less than 20:49 and you’ll top the Strava leaderboard, knocking Andreas Steindl off the number one spot.

He also holds the record from Zermatt to the Matterhorn summit by the way! The segment stats: Distance: 1.27km Vertical metres: 548m Highest elevation: 2242m Average gradient: 43% When your quads have ceased trembling and the taste of blood leaves your mouth, take the loamy switchback trails easy on the way back down to Zermatt, enjoying that glorious view from above the village.

For more information on the Matterhorn training route: https://www.strava.com/segments/7838215