Meet the Blacknose Sheep at the Gornergrat in Zermatt

Here is a contender for your Swiss Bucket List, actually more precise for the #BucketlistZermatt.

Visiting the Blacknose sheep at the Gornergrat in Zermatt is an experience for the whole family and probably one that will stay in your Zermatt memories for a very long time.

One more thing before carrying on reading the blog article, the breed is called Blacknose sheep and not Blackfaced sheep.

The Blacknose Sheep At the Gornergrat

Long before skiing was famous in Zermatt people from all over the world talked about the special breed of Blacknose sheep. The brothers Julen brought them to the Swiss village in 1972, and little did they know it would change their lives. However, when you do some research, the Valais Blacknose sheep have been in Switzerland since the 15th century. Some even say the breed was introduced to Valais already in pre-Roman times.

Today many hotels in Zermatt are using the special wool for blankets, so there is a good chance you have already been in contact with the sheep without even knowing it whilst staying in a hotel in Zermatt.

The Blacknose sheep became an icon to Zermatt like the Matterhorn. It is debatable which one is more famous; we would say come and visit both of them and spend a perfect day in Zermatt

What makes the Blacknose sheep so special

 It is a very rare breed; With only 14’000 registered  in Switzerland the Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep is a very rare breed.

With their unique black faces; it is impossible to mistake them for any other breed.  Many say these are the cutest sheep in the world. And this is probably the right statement. They are also super soft and cuddly.

Their horns are unique; beautifully spiraled horns which can be found on both sexes.

Their wool is special and durable; living half the year up on the alpine pastures where the weather can be harsh, their wool has become incredibly durable and strong. The wool cannot be twisted due to its strength and is therefore perfect for felted wool items such as shoes and other long lasting fashion items.

Video Meet the Sheep

Click on the Video photo cover and enjoy the scenes.

Where to see the Valais Blacknose sheep in Zermatt

The best and most fun way to meet the Blacknose sheep is on the Gornergrat mountain which can be accessed with the Gornergrat railway during the summer months.

You have the option to hike freely and seek the flock by yourself or join a guided hiking group led by the mountain guide office “Zermatters”.

The latter option will for sure give you a lot of insider knowledge as well.

Normally, once you have found the sheep and if you are lucky you will also find the friendly shepherdess Debora.

Ask her questions about the flock and she has some nice stories to tell.

Self guided hike to meet the Blacknose sheep

Before you start your hike to visit the Blacknose sheep, check where they are. This will help you to organise your hiking route. The Gornergrat is large and hiking without any knowledge of the location of the Blacknose sheep flock could lead to a long and  unsuccessful search. Go to Gronergrat “Meet the Sheep” to find the Blacknose GPS tracker map.

This will show you the location of the flock. Not every sheep is wearing an Alp-Tracker GPS, but some do. If you click on the sheep icon, you will get some more information about the sheep wearing the tracker.

So, now as you know where they are situated on the Gornergrat, plan your hike accordingly.

To reach the Gornergrat, you need to get a ticket from the Gornergrat train station which is opposite the main railway station in Zermatt.

Children up to the age of 8.9 years old holding a Zermatt Wolli Card travel free of charge.

Adults will receive a discount if you have any of the following travel cards Half-Fare Card / GA / Swiss travel pass / Swiss half fare card.

The train ride from Zermatt village to Gornergrat itself is a beautiful experience and gives you some amazing views to the Matterhorn and its surrounding scenery.

Our suggestion before the hike

Before you board the train make a plan to whether you prefer to hike down from the Gornergrat to Riffelberg via Riffelsee, or vice versa.  This will be the area where the Blacknose sheep are most likely located.

The trail is steep at the beginning, therefore I would suggest to start at the Gornergrat and hike down.

Travel TIP: You will have more chance to see the sheep out in the open during morning hours or later in the afternoon.  Just before 6pm they are heading up to their night shelter. If you are there on a hot day, it is very likely that the sheep will be at Rotenboden Train Station under the tunnel in the shade.

Of course, this makes it a very easy find and a short hike, but also a lesser scenic location for your memorable photos. So just keep this in mind.

Meet the sheep theme trail from Gornergrat to Riffelberg

When trying to meet the sheep at the Gornergrat combine your search with the theme trail.

The theme trail gives you interesting facts about the Blacknose sheep. Although you can hike it in any direction – Gornergrat – Riffelalp – or vice versa,  the 1^st post is located at the Gornergrat just outside the Zooom building where you also can find many stone cairns built by tourists.

In total there are 11 posts scattered along the hiking trail all the way down to Riffelalp.

Questions are posed, for example; Why do the people of Valais keep Blacknose sheep? What happens to their soft, woolly fleeces? Furthermore, you will read about the glaciers and all the different alpine flowers and animals that roam the Gornergrat mountain year after year.

But the trail is not only giving some great insider knowledge about the sheep and nature, it is also part of a quiz where you can answer the clues and win 3 Nights in Zermatt (in 2022). You do need a smart phone to read the QR codes.

Hiking facts
Difficulty: medium | Duration: 1h 30 min | Distance: 5.7 km

Other things to do at the Gornergrat

Although you could easily spend the whole day around these super cute sheep, we do recommend to visit the Gornergrat as well. Below you find some great things to do at the Gornergrat.

Visit the “Zooom” at Gornergrat

A new multi-media experience can be found at the Gornergart,  «Zooom the Matterhorn». Discover the Matterhorn and neighbouring mountains.

Fly over the Matterhorn with your “own” paraglider. A unique and fantastic experience thanks to virtual reality goggles and the very high quality multi media equipment. Story boards around the museum tell the interesting history of the Matterhorn with impressive pictures from the past.

Entry ticket to the Zooom 

All tickets in 2022 which have the Gornergrat as their start or end station include admission to the Zooom exhibition. 

The Zooom ticket is not included in the following Zermatt tickets, ski passes, Peak Passes, Peak2Peak, round-trips and point-to-point travel tickets. In this case the admission is as follows

• Adults  pay CHF 12.00
• Children below the age of 6 enter free of charge
• Children age 6 – 15.99 pay Chf 6.- . If you hold a Junior or Children’s Travel Pass and Wolli Card the entry is free of charge.

Glacier Circle walk at the Gornergrat

Make your way up to the panorama platform when at the Gornergrat. You will be rewarded with stunning views over the Gornergletscher (Glacier)  and Grenzgletscher and beyond. The circular walk takes you 30 minutes and is well worth your time.

Where to stay in Zermatt

As Zermatt has of course more then the sheep, it is recommended to stay at least 2-3 days in this beautiful Valais Alpine Village.

Here are some of our favourite Hotels in Zermatt

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

How long do Valais sheep live?

These cuties have a life span of 10-12 years.

How many lambs do Valais Blacknose sheep have?

Normally one to two lambs per year. The Blacknose sheep are nonseasonal breeders.

Do Blacknose sheep make good pets?

They are considered pet friendly for a family farm. NOT to be kept in a house with no space. They need to be outside during the summer roaming the alpine pastures.

How rare is the Valais Blacknose sheep?

It is a very rare breed with only 14’000 registered at the moment.

How to identify a Blacknose sheep?

The Valais Blacknose sheep should have black noses, ears, eye rims, knees, and ankles. Both males and females should have spiral horns

Do Valais Blacknose sheep need shearing?

Yes, they do. In order to keep an optimal health, it is required that the Blacknose sheep are sheared twice a year. Their wool is long and grows fast.

Other activities in Zermatt & the Valais

• Wolli Wonderland Theme Trail Hike in Zermatt
• The Gornergrat railway – Scenic train trip in Zermatt
• 13 Best things to do in Zermatt
• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – An Epic Family Experience
• Zermatt – A Family Day trip to Zermatt
• Evolène – Ferpècle – Bike ride to the Mont- Mine Glacier, Val D’Hérenes
• 20 Family Friendly Things to do in Valais 

I hope that the information provided here will prove itself useful when you will meet the Blacknose Sheep at the Gornergrat in Zermatt.

If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask your in the comments below so that other readers can join in the conversation.

NOTE: We “Met the Sheep” in a collaboration with Zermatt Tourism and Gornergrat. These great collaborations are here for us to show you the best there is and to test it all out.

So when you are planning to meet the Sheep in Zermatt you know already the best tips.

Thank you & Never Forget to Travel

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