Findeln
Findeln features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Zermatt. Give it roughly ~40 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type village
- Suggested visit ~40 min
- Zermatt Zermatt guide
About Findeln
A scattered hamlet of old blackened-larch Walser barns and a 17th-century chapel on the sunny slopes above Zermatt, famous for its Matterhorn view and its mountain restaurants.
Findeln is a group of old hamlets on the sunny, south-facing slopes above Zermatt, around 2,000 to 2,200 metres, reached by the Sunnegga funicular, on foot or on skis. Its scattered buildings are authentic Walser houses, barns and granaries of larch timber blackened by the sun, some of them now holiday homes. In the lower hamlet of Ze Gassen stands a small chapel dedicated to St James, built in 1691 or 1697, which keeps a rare late-Gothic winged altarpiece of the early 16th century.
Findeln was once a Maiensäss, a summer farming settlement, where Zermatt families grew rye and barley at a remarkable altitude and grazed their cattle, carrying the milk down to the village daily; farming here continued until the end of the Second World War. Today the hamlet is a favourite for its classic Matterhorn view and its celebrated mountain restaurants. It also lies on the Five-Lakes Walk from Blauherd down to the Leisee.
Did you know? Findeln is a hamlet of authentic old Walser houses and barns of blackened larch timber on the sunny slopes above Zermatt, some raised on staddle stones against mice.
How long is a visit to Findeln?
Set aside roughly ~40 min for Findeln. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Findeln worth your time?
Findeln is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Zermatt, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Zermatt
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Findeln and read more:
Day 2 of the Zermatt in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Findeln
Preview the Zermatt tour free in the Gingerguide app.