Swiss pine path (No. 14)

The area of the "Vorderi Wälder" is a wildlife protection area where numerous deer live. The Swiss pine, the "Queen of the Alps," is part of the Zermatt landscape like the Matterhorn and the glaciers. Wood, resin, and needles of the Swiss pine contain the slightly volatile active ingredient pinosylvin. Its scent promotes well-being in humans. When the Swiss pine forest is exposed to strong sunlight, the pleasant scent of this substance delights the nose.

But the eye is also delighted: different shades of green shine in the Swiss pine and larch forest. The ground is copper-colored because the needles cover the hiking path. And there is a surprising waterfall that plunges into the Findelbach in a bend at the roadside.

• Swiss pines are also called Zirbe or stone pine

• Swiss pines can be up to 1,000 years old and 25 m tall

• Swiss pines have needle bundles with five needles

• At Riffelalp: in summer, the highest tram in Europe