Meet the Sheep - Children lying on the black-nosed sheep
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Station 1 Meet the Sheep Trail

Discover the “Meet the Sheep” themed trail and experience the fascinating history of the 125 Valais Blacknose sheep. Immerse yourself in their life and experience the beauty of the Gornergrat. Become part of a 125-year history!

Welcome to the “Meet the Sheep” themed trail! We’re delighted that you’re taking part in this ad­venture.

Have you already enjoyed other offers on the Gorner­grat? What about a visit to the interactive exhibition “ZOOOM the Matterhorn”? Here you can experience the Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains and glaciers up close from afar. And don’t forget to take a souvenir photo at the Photopoint next to the summit station!

Blacknose sheep are a long-standing tradition in Valais. But why exactly Blacknoses? The Blacknose shepherds in Upper Valais usually take over breeding from their fathers. It is often a family matter whether you keep Blacknose sheep or other types of sheep. Blacknose sheep are adaptable and used to the harsh conditions in the high mountains. They are robust and undemanding, and therefore fit perfectly into the Up­per Valais region. For a long time, the breed of Blac­knose sheep was considered threatened with extinc­tion, as it was almost completely supplanted by other sheep species in the last decades of the twentieth century. Instead, many farmers bred sheep that had better meat or a better quality of wool or were simply more economically viable.

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