The Swiss are restricting tourist access to the Riffelsee in order to bring back the edelweiss

One of the most spectacular places in Switzerland has become the latest to try to limit tourist access, in an effort to protect the environment from being overrun by Instagrammers.

In addition to the popular area of ​​Zermatt, the Riffelsee lake is more than just a picture. Not only can you see the iconic Matterhorn in all its glory, you can capture its reflection in the icy waters of the lake.

In high season, the railway takes thousands of tourists up there every day, all aiming for a high shot.

And in June and July, when spring finally arrives in the high Alps, visitors can also see the alpine flowers that thrive there at 2,800 meters (9,200ft): edelweiss, gentian, and alpine golden primrose.

At least they knew.

But now hordes of tourists who are derailed every few minutes are struggling, crossing the meadows towards the lake and crushing the flowers.

Edelweiss has not been seen at Riffelsee for some years.

The Zermatt authorities decided enough was enough.

Visitors can still come, but now they are grazed around the lake on marked trails, fenced pastures.

The aim is not to deter tourists – after all, the Zermatt tourist office advertises the Riffelsee as a photo opportunity on its website – but to educate them about the alpine landscape.

Inside the fence an alpine garden – the highest in Europe – has been created; narrow walkways allow visitors to take a closer look at the flowers, with QR codes explaining what they are.

It is a fascinating view of the biodiversity of the high Alps. When planning the garden, the botanists discovered 148 different plant species.

Many visitors clearly appreciate this, taking the time to explore the garden. While others flow towards the lake, the selfies always look upwards.

Zermatt’s problem is shared by other famous, or even the most beautiful parts of Europe.

There was outrage in Florence after a tourist posted pictures of himself impersonating a Roman statue of Bacchus.

The beautiful southern Swiss town of Lavertezzo, famous for the emerald waters of the Verzasca river that flows through it, full of cars, tourists, and garbage after a video comparing it to the Maldives was posted on Facebook.

Meanwhile in the east of the country, Canton Glarus has seen a large number of wild campers, driven by Instagram, looking for clickable pictures of the high mountains.

It is dangerous for them, because many are not climbers or climbers, but it is very bad for alpine plants and animals. Tents litter the pastures, campers leave trash and human excrement.

Switzerland’s economy is doing very well on tourism, but now some Swiss are questioning whether it could be too much.

Tourist offices report that the only question most visitors ask is “where is the best photo opportunity?”

It is disappointing for locals to see that tourists may not come to see the beauty and culture their region has to offer, but to get more likes and shares on social media.

But Zermatt’s harmony with the alpine garden may be the right solution. The edelweiss has been replanted and, perhaps, next spring, its small white flowers will look happy to meet the next group of visitors.