Photos from this walk:

The Walking Guide
Zermatt to Edelweiss  

Description: This satisfying hike takes one up to the superbly positioned and historic restaurant Edelweiss. Edelweiss perches dramatically on cliffs a thousand feet above Zermatt and can be seen from much of town. Apart from the interesting restaurant, this walk passes through nice pastures, forests, and by a pleasant waterfall. There are also views east to some of Zermatt's big mountains (but no view to the Matterhorn). Marmots can also be seen around the pastures, particularly in the evenings.
Time required: About 1¾ hours (1hour uphill at start / 45 mins downhill)
Difficulty: ***  Short, but steeply uphill            Popularity: ***  
Begins at: Zermatt (1620m altitude)                 Ends at: Zermatt                 Goes via: Edelweiss (1961m)

Track Notes: This is a consistently steep path with quite a few steps. 
Nb. "Edelweiss" is sometimes shown as "Alterhaupt" on local maps. 
Variants: Many superb hikes continue up beyond Edelweiss, including to Trift, the Mettelhorn, the Rothorn hut, and Höhbalmen. 

The walk begins and ends in center of Zermatt's main street (1620m altitude), just by the very well known Hotel Post complex and Grampi's Pub. You can find them in the main street, just 130 yards back down from the church towards the main railway station out of Zermatt. Opposite the Hotel Post is Grampi's Pub. A small cobbled laneway borders Grampi's Pub and leads off the main street uphill to the west. An inconspicuous signpost on the (laneway) wall of Grampi's also points uphill  in the direction of Edelweiss,/Trift, etc.

Begin up the cobbled path behind Grampi's for 60 yards to a three way intersection. Continue straight on uphill past barns and smart wood and glass chalets as the path loops around past the glamorous new "Into the Hotel". Shortly beyond that the path reaches welcome pastures with a fine view to the right of the Mischabel group of peaks (Täschhorn, Dom). A few minutes of walking up through the fields brings one to a four way intersection (1720m). Take the highest path (right) to Edelweiss. The path ascends very steeply with the rushing waters of the Triftbach (Trift brook) below to your left. As one climbs higher there are clear views up to Edelweiss perched on its cliff top eyrie. 

After another few minutes another intersection (1780m) is reached below some cliffs. Take the left path to Edelweiss and shortly the path crosses the Triftbach below a gushing waterfall.  The trail threads through forest and continues steeply upwards via zigzags between a series of cliffs. Just below the largest cliff on which the restaurant Edelweiss perches is a good area for rock climbing. Beyond that one quickly reaches the restaurant (1961m).  Edelweiss offers snacks, drinks, meals, and also accommodation for those wanting a night in the mountains. There are terrific views from the restaurant terrace over Zermatt and (left to right) on to the Täschhorn, Dom, Unter Rothorn, Gornergrat and Breithorn. Nice sunsets over the mountains are also a feature from Edelweiss. There is also a beautiful little pasture behind the restaurant.

Return quickly to Zermatt the same way. It is possible to jog down in 15 minutes if your knees are up to it.