Riffelhorn
Riffelhorn climbing routes in Zermatt
Endurance
2Walking time 4-5 hours. Up to approx. 900 meters altitude. For sporty mountain hikers with good basic fitness.
Technique
individual
Duration
approx. 5 hours
Date
June - October
Participants
1 - 2 participants
Gallery (6)
Plaisir climbing with a panorama: the Riffelhorn near Zermatt is considered one of the best alpine training areas in Switzerland. Here you can feel the rock under your fingers, look out over the Gorner Glacier - and gain alpine climbing experience in a safe environment with a magnificent view of the Matterhorn.
Highlights
Description
The Riffelhorn lies at 2,930 m above Zermatt and offers the best conditions for alpine climbing. On the south face you will find a variety of multi-pitch routes in plaisir style, ideal for building up technique, practising rope team sequences or as an introduction to alpine terrain.
Your mountain guide will pick you up at the Gornergratbahn at 07:45, followed by a short equipment check and the trip to Rotenboden. From there, you will reach the Riffelhorn after a short ascent on foot. The climbing tour itself takes around 3 to 4 hours - depending on the route and level chosen. You can gain valuable experience in belaying, rope handling and climbing technique - all against an impressive high alpine backdrop.
In addition to the south face of the Riffelhorn, there are other exciting but lesser-known climbing areas nearby, such as the Gornerflueh or a route on the north face of the Riffelhorn. Our mountain guides will also take you to these "insider tips".
Program
Welcome at the entrance to the Gornergrat Bahn at 07:45 by your mountain guide
Equipment check and cable car ride to Rotenboden
Plaisir climbing on the Riffelhorn for approx. 5 hours with climbing shoes
Return to Zermatt
Additional costs
- Rail journey Zermatt-Rotenboden return, from CHF 114.00
Reduction with GA, Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass (more information can be found here)
- For Riffelhorn Matterhorn training: mountain boots with Vibram soles
- For sport climbing (Riffelhorn, Fluhalp or Eschelbalme) Climbing shoes
- Climbing harness
- Climbing helmet
- Small rucksack
- Clothing suitable for the weather
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- drinks
- Snacks (high-energy food such as chocolate, dried fruit, energy bars)
Climbing harness and helmet can be hired from ZERMATTERS
After booking
After booking, you will receive a confirmation by email. Please check that your details are correct.
Two days before the tour, you will receive a link to the customer portal.
Please contact us before the tour to go over the details (current weather, conditions, group size, etc.). You can reach us by phone, email or visit us at the ZERMATTERS Homebase.
The Riffelhorn - Alpine climbing
- Climbing is more important than summits: After the First World War, many of today's classic climbing routes were climbed for the first time, including the route on the "Thermometereck" in the south face of the Riffelhorn - climbing as an activity became more important.
- Small but mighty: At 2,930 m, the Riffelhorn is small compared to its neighbors - but thanks to the various routes and the diversity of the rock, even experienced climbers can reach their limits here.
- Made for training: The Riffelhorn is a popular mountain in the Alps for training - there is a specific training course in preparation for the Matterhorn.
Can I go climbing in Zermatt all year round?
Yes. Zermatt offers climbing in every season, just in different disciplines. From June to October the rock is in top condition, with dry routes and pleasant temperatures for sport climbing and alpine multi-pitch routes, for example at the Riffelhorn, the Fluhalp or the Eschelbalme. From mid-December to early March, waterfalls and rock faces turn to ice, which is the season for ice climbing at spots such as Blatten or Schweigmatten. Via ferratas like the Gorge Adventure in the Gorner Gorge can even be booked all year round, with the frozen ice columns and the iced-over Gornera adding a special appeal in winter. If you want to keep climbing on rock during winter, indoor climbing is available throughout the year. Our homebase team is happy to advise you on which activity best suits the timing of your visit.
What is the difference between a private tour and a group tour?
Private: With a private booking you take part exclusively with your own group, for example family, friends or team. No other participants are added. A private booking can be worthwhile even for a small number of people, but you are also welcome to start as a couple or on your own with a private mountain guide.
Group: On a group tour you share the experience with other guests. The required minimum number of participants varies from tour to tour and is stated with each offer.
What happens if the minimum number for a group is not reached?
If the minimum number of participants for a group activity is not reached, we will inform all registered participants. You then have the choice: either cover the additional cost for the missing participants or the tour will be cancelled and the full amount refunded.
What requirements do I need to fulfill for via ferrata, climbing or ice climbing tours?
In general, you should be athletic, sure-footed and have a head for heights. Special previous knowledge is not necessary for easy tours (e.g. Gorge Adventure or beginner via ferratas). For more challenging climbing or ice climbing tours, experience is an advantage. Our guides or homebase team will be happy to advise you on the right tour for you.
What equipment is needed?
Depending on the activity, you will need weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection and good footwear:
- Climbing harness, helmet and via ferrata set (for via ferrata)
- Climbing harness, climbing shoes (for rock climbing)
- Climbing harness, warm and crampon-proof mountain boots, crampons, 2x ice axe, helmet and warm clothing (for ice climbing)
The mountain guide will bring all other technical equipment. You will also find a list of equipment for each tour.
- Endurance
2Walking time 4-5 hours. Up to approx. 900 meters altitude. For sporty mountain hikers with good basic fitness. - Technique
individual - Duration
approx. 5 hours - Date
June - October - Participants
1 - 2 participants
Plaisir climbing with a panorama: the Riffelhorn near Zermatt is considered one of the best alpine training areas in Switzerland. Here you can feel the rock under your fingers, look out over the Gorner Glacier - and gain alpine climbing experience in a safe environment with a magnificent view of the Matterhorn.
Highlights
Description
The Riffelhorn lies at 2,930 m above Zermatt and offers the best conditions for alpine climbing. On the south face you will find a variety of multi-pitch routes in plaisir style, ideal for building up technique, practising rope team sequences or as an introduction to alpine terrain.
Your mountain guide will pick you up at the Gornergratbahn at 07:45, followed by a short equipment check and the trip to Rotenboden. From there, you will reach the Riffelhorn after a short ascent on foot. The climbing tour itself takes around 3 to 4 hours - depending on the route and level chosen. You can gain valuable experience in belaying, rope handling and climbing technique - all against an impressive high alpine backdrop.
In addition to the south face of the Riffelhorn, there are other exciting but lesser-known climbing areas nearby, such as the Gornerflueh or a route on the north face of the Riffelhorn. Our mountain guides will also take you to these "insider tips".
Program
Welcome at the entrance to the Gornergrat Bahn at 07:45 by your mountain guide
Equipment check and cable car ride to Rotenboden
Plaisir climbing on the Riffelhorn for approx. 5 hours with climbing shoes
Return to Zermatt
Additional costs
- Rail journey Zermatt-Rotenboden return, from CHF 114.00
Reduction with GA, Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass (more information can be found here)
Equipment
You should have this equipment with you so that you are optimally equipped for the climbing tour on the Riffelhorn:
- For Riffelhorn Matterhorn training: mountain boots with Vibram soles
- For sport climbing (Riffelhorn, Fluhalp or Eschelbalme) Climbing shoes
- Climbing harness
- Climbing helmet
- Small rucksack
- Clothing suitable for the weather
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- drinks
- Snacks (high-energy food such as chocolate, dried fruit, energy bars)
Climbing harness and helmet can be hired from ZERMATTERS
After booking
After booking, you will receive a confirmation by email. Please check that your details are correct.
Two days before the tour, you will receive a link to the customer portal.
Please contact us before the tour to go over the details (current weather, conditions, group size, etc.). You can reach us by phone, email or visit us at the ZERMATTERS Homebase.
The Riffelhorn - Alpine climbing
- Climbing is more important than summits: After the First World War, many of today's classic climbing routes were climbed for the first time, including the route on the "Thermometereck" in the south face of the Riffelhorn - climbing as an activity became more important.
- Small but mighty: At 2,930 m, the Riffelhorn is small compared to its neighbors - but thanks to the various routes and the diversity of the rock, even experienced climbers can reach their limits here.
- Made for training: The Riffelhorn is a popular mountain in the Alps for training - there is a specific training course in preparation for the Matterhorn.
Can I go climbing in Zermatt all year round?
Yes. Zermatt offers climbing in every season, just in different disciplines. From June to October the rock is in top condition, with dry routes and pleasant temperatures for sport climbing and alpine multi-pitch routes, for example at the Riffelhorn, the Fluhalp or the Eschelbalme. From mid-December to early March, waterfalls and rock faces turn to ice, which is the season for ice climbing at spots such as Blatten or Schweigmatten. Via ferratas like the Gorge Adventure in the Gorner Gorge can even be booked all year round, with the frozen ice columns and the iced-over Gornera adding a special appeal in winter. If you want to keep climbing on rock during winter, indoor climbing is available throughout the year. Our homebase team is happy to advise you on which activity best suits the timing of your visit.
What is the difference between a private tour and a group tour?
Private: With a private booking you take part exclusively with your own group, for example family, friends or team. No other participants are added. A private booking can be worthwhile even for a small number of people, but you are also welcome to start as a couple or on your own with a private mountain guide.
Group: On a group tour you share the experience with other guests. The required minimum number of participants varies from tour to tour and is stated with each offer.
What happens if the minimum number for a group is not reached?
If the minimum number of participants for a group activity is not reached, we will inform all registered participants. You then have the choice: either cover the additional cost for the missing participants or the tour will be cancelled and the full amount refunded.
What requirements do I need to fulfill for via ferrata, climbing or ice climbing tours?
In general, you should be athletic, sure-footed and have a head for heights. Special previous knowledge is not necessary for easy tours (e.g. Gorge Adventure or beginner via ferratas). For more challenging climbing or ice climbing tours, experience is an advantage. Our guides or homebase team will be happy to advise you on the right tour for you.
What equipment is needed?
Depending on the activity, you will need weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection and good footwear:
- Climbing harness, helmet and via ferrata set (for via ferrata)
- Climbing harness, climbing shoes (for rock climbing)
- Climbing harness, warm and crampon-proof mountain boots, crampons, 2x ice axe, helmet and warm clothing (for ice climbing)
The mountain guide will bring all other technical equipment. You will also find a list of equipment for each tour.
