Pollux
Mountain tour on the Pollux
-
Endurance
2Hiking Time: 4–5 hours. Up to approx. 900 vertical meters. For athletic mountain hikers with good base fitness. -
Technique
3You're skilled in climbing at grade II and navigating moderately steep terrain on rock and ice. You are confident using crampons, ice axe, and rope techniques. You’ve already completed tours on mixed terrain and feel safe around crevasses and ridges. -
Duration
approx. 8 h -
Date
June - Mid-September -
Participants
1-2 persons
Gallery (7)
The Pollux (Italian: Punta Polluce) is the twin brother of the Castor - both tower imposingly in the middle of the Valais Alps. While the Castor entices with snow and firn, the Pollux is an alpine classic made of rock and ice. We accompany you on this varied high-altitude tour to one of the most frequently climbed four-thousand-metre peaks around Zermatt - ideal as an introduction to your Matterhorn training.
Highlights
Description
Our high-altitude tour starts with the crossing of the glaciated Breithorn plateau, which we enter from the Klein Matterhorn mountain station. The view is far-reaching: Castor and Pollux seem close enough to touch. After an easy descent to the southern flank of the Breithorn, we reach the foot of Pollux.
From here, the ascent begins: depending on the conditions, we climb through a snow couloir or cross a firn flank to reach the south-west ridge. The ridge leads us through easy climbing passages on rock with a good grip to the striking intersection - the key point of the tour. Thanks to permanently installed chains, this section is well secured and easily manageable for sure-footed alpinists.
After this passage, we reach the shoulder with the famous Madonna statue. From here, it is only a short firn ascent to the summit at 4,089 m. The descent follows the same route - with fantastic views of the Western Alps and the Mattertal valley.
Program
Meeting with your local and IFMGA-certified mountain guide at 06:30 am at the Matterhorn Express valley station (depending on the season)
Cable car ride to the Klein Matterhorn mountain station
Ascent via the southwest ridge - the normal Swiss route on Pollux
Descent on the same route back to the Klein Matterhorn mountain station
Return to Zermatt and farewell
Joint trip back to Zermatt and farewell from your mountain guide
Additional costs
- Rail journey Zermatt-Klein Matterhorn return: from approx. CHF 57.00.
Reduction with GA, Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass (more information can be found at Zermatt Bergbahnen AG) - Rental equipment: between CHF 50.00 and CHF 70.00, available in a sports store in Zermatt
- Crampon-compatible mountaineering boots with profiled, stiff Vibram soles
- Climbing harness
- 1 carabiner
- Crampons with anti-balling plates
- ice axe
- Hiking pole
- helmet
- Backpack, approx. 30 L
- Warm weatherproof clothing
- Gloves (possibly spare gloves)
- Hat / headband
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- drinks
- Snacks (high-energy food such as chocolate, dried fruit, energy bars)
Notes
The ascent of Pollux is a longer high-altitude tour. When making your booking inquiry, please let us know which four-thousand-metre peaks you have already climbed and what other mountaineering experience you have.
We recommend that you prepare for the challenge in advance with a guided training tour with us - for example on the Breithorn Normalweg, the Alphubel or the Riffelhorn. This is also an ideal way to acclimatize. This can also be done in a group, provided another person has registered for it.
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 Pollux
General information about Pollux
- The Pollux is 4,089 m high and, together with the neighboring Castor, forms the twin pair of the Valais Alps.
- Depending on the season, we climb Pollux as an independent day tour or as part of a multi-day tour, e.g. the Spaghetti Tour in the Monte Rosa region.
- The high tour on the Pollux is an excellent preparation tour for climbing the Matterhorn - ideal for gaining alpine climbing experience.
Special features of Pollux
- Castor and Pollux come from Greek mythology - two twin brothers, inseparable, but as different as their mountains: Castor is a firn tour, Pollux a climbing tour.
- The rocks of Pollux are blue-green in color and give the mountain its very own character - unlike the reddish granite of Castor.
- A striking geological boundary runs between the two mountains - an exciting transition between primary rock and marine deposits.
Do I need a mountain guide for a high-altitude tour?
Yes, especially for beginners, the company of a certified mountain guide is highly recommended. Alpine tours often lead over glaciers with crevasses, steep firn flanks and exposed ridges. An experienced guide not only ensures safety, but also imparts valuable knowledge about technique, route selection and alpine dangers.
What advantages does a local mountain guide offer?
A local mountain guide knows the specific conditions of the region, such as weather conditions, glacier conditions and current route conditions. This expertise enables flexible tour planning and increases safety. In addition, a local guide enriches the experience with background information on the local mountains and culture.
What should I look out for when booking a mountain guide?
Make sure that your mountain guide is certified according to the standards of the International Union of Mountain Guide Associations (UIAGM/IFMGA). This certification guarantees comprehensive training and compliance with the highest safety standards. All ZERMATTERS mountain guides are trained according to these international guidelines.
What levels of difficulty are alpine tours divided into?
Alpine tours are rated according to the SAC mountain and alpine tour scale, which ranges from L (easy) to EX (extremely difficult). The French designations range from F (facile) to ED (extrêmement difficile). These classifications take into account the technical requirements, length of the tour and objective dangers.
What equipment do I need for an alpine tour?
The equipment required varies depending on the alpine tour and can be viewed directly on the equipment list for the respective ski tour.
In general, the standard equipment for an alpine tour includes
- Crampon-proof mountain boots
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Climbing harness
- Rope (depending on tour type and group size)
- Carabiners and slings
- helmet
- Warm, weatherproof clothing
- Sunglasses and sun protection
- First aid kit
- Map, compass or GPS device
When will a decision be made on the implementation of the high tour?
The final decision on whether to go ahead with an alpine tour is usually made 48 hours (sometimes only 24 hours) before the start of the tour, based on current weather and route conditions. You will be informed by us as early as possible about possible changes or cancellations.
How do I choose the right high-altitude tour for my ability?
The choice of an alpine tour should always be based on your personal ability and alpine experience. A gradual progression - from shorter to longer tours, from easy to technically more demanding - is advisable. Our mountain guides are happy to accompany you on this path and support you in your alpine development
Our offers are therefore provided with clear information on the level of difficulty, required stamina and technique to help you make the right decision. We are happy to provide you with personal advice directly. Come and visit us at the home base!
How can I best prepare myself for a high-altitude tour?
Good preparation is the key to a safe and enjoyable high-altitude experience. Regular endurance training - such as hiking, running or cycling - not only improves your fitness, but also your resilience at high altitudes. Technique training is just as important: you need to practise using crampons and ice axes to be able to move safely in the terrain. If you also attend alpine courses, study maps and familiarize yourself with meteorology and alpine dangers, you will have a solid foundation for making independent decisions in the mountains. Our mountain guides will not only support you along the way, but will also be happy to give you tips on how best to prepare - so that your alpine tour with ZERMATTERS is an unforgettable experience.
How difficult are alpine tours and how are they classified?
Alpine tours can be divided into seven main levels of difficulty according to the SAC Alpine Touring Scale:
- L: Easy
- WS: Not very difficult
- ZS: Fairly difficult
- S: Difficult
- SS: Very difficult
- AS: Extremely Difficult
- EX: Extremely difficult
Some of these grades can be additionally refined by a minus (-) or plus (+) to allow even more precise grading.
The rating is based on main criteria such as steepness, exposure, technical requirements and type of terrain (e.g. firn, ice, rock or glacier). Auxiliary criteria such as objective hazards, retreat options and seriousness of the route are also taken into account.
What happens if I don't meet the requirements for a tour?
Our mountain guides not only have a lot of experience, but also pay attention to the difficulty level of the tour when assessing it. At the same time, they decide on site whether the tour can be carried out as planned. If you do not meet the requirements and this compromises safety or the course of the tour, the tour may have to be adjusted or terminated prematurely. This decision is always made in the interests of the safety of everyone involved.
By the way, with a private mountain guide you are more flexible and can adjust the pace and route individually.
-
Endurance
2Hiking Time: 4–5 hours. Up to approx. 900 vertical meters. For athletic mountain hikers with good base fitness. -
Technique
3You're skilled in climbing at grade II and navigating moderately steep terrain on rock and ice. You are confident using crampons, ice axe, and rope techniques. You’ve already completed tours on mixed terrain and feel safe around crevasses and ridges. -
Duration
approx. 8 h -
Date
June - Mid-September -
Participants
1-2 persons
The Pollux (Italian: Punta Polluce) is the twin brother of the Castor - both tower imposingly in the middle of the Valais Alps. While the Castor entices with snow and firn, the Pollux is an alpine classic made of rock and ice. We accompany you on this varied high-altitude tour to one of the most frequently climbed four-thousand-metre peaks around Zermatt - ideal as an introduction to your Matterhorn training.
Highlights
Duration
- Ascent to the summit of Pollux (4,092 m): approx. 2.5 - 3 hours from the Klein Matterhorn station
- Descent back to the Klein Matterhorn station (3,883 m): approx. 2.5 - 3 hours
Description
Our high-altitude tour starts with the crossing of the glaciated Breithorn plateau, which we enter from the Klein Matterhorn mountain station. The view is far-reaching: Castor and Pollux seem close enough to touch. After an easy descent to the southern flank of the Breithorn, we reach the foot of Pollux.
From here, the ascent begins: depending on the conditions, we climb through a snow couloir or cross a firn flank to reach the south-west ridge. The ridge leads us through easy climbing passages on rock with a good grip to the striking intersection - the key point of the tour. Thanks to permanently installed chains, this section is well secured and easily manageable for sure-footed alpinists.
After this passage, we reach the shoulder with the famous Madonna statue. From here, it is only a short firn ascent to the summit at 4,089 m. The descent follows the same route - with fantastic views of the Western Alps and the Mattertal valley.
Program
Meeting with your local and IFMGA-certified mountain guide at 06:30 am at the Matterhorn Express valley station (depending on the season)
Cable car ride to the Klein Matterhorn mountain station
Ascent via the southwest ridge - the normal Swiss route on Pollux
Descent on the same route back to the Klein Matterhorn mountain station
Return to Zermatt and farewell
Joint trip back to Zermatt and farewell from your mountain guide
Additional costs
- Rail journey Zermatt-Klein Matterhorn return: from approx. CHF 57.00.
Reduction with GA, Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass (more information can be found at Zermatt Bergbahnen AG) - Rental equipment: between CHF 50.00 and CHF 70.00, available in a sports store in Zermatt
Material
So that you are well equipped for the ascent of Pollux, you should definitely have this equipment with you:
- Crampon-compatible mountaineering boots with profiled, stiff Vibram soles
- Climbing harness
- 1 carabiner
- Crampons with anti-balling plates
- ice axe
- Hiking pole
- helmet
- Backpack, approx. 30 L
- Warm weatherproof clothing
- Gloves (possibly spare gloves)
- Hat / headband
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- drinks
- Snacks (high-energy food such as chocolate, dried fruit, energy bars)
Notes
The ascent of Pollux is a longer high-altitude tour. When making your booking inquiry, please let us know which four-thousand-metre peaks you have already climbed and what other mountaineering experience you have.
We recommend that you prepare for the challenge in advance with a guided training tour with us - for example on the Breithorn Normalweg, the Alphubel or the Riffelhorn. This is also an ideal way to acclimatize. This can also be done in a group, provided another person has registered for it.
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 Pollux
General information about Pollux
- The Pollux is 4,089 m high and, together with the neighboring Castor, forms the twin pair of the Valais Alps.
- Depending on the season, we climb Pollux as an independent day tour or as part of a multi-day tour, e.g. the Spaghetti Tour in the Monte Rosa region.
- The high tour on the Pollux is an excellent preparation tour for climbing the Matterhorn - ideal for gaining alpine climbing experience.
Special features of Pollux
- Castor and Pollux come from Greek mythology - two twin brothers, inseparable, but as different as their mountains: Castor is a firn tour, Pollux a climbing tour.
- The rocks of Pollux are blue-green in color and give the mountain its very own character - unlike the reddish granite of Castor.
- A striking geological boundary runs between the two mountains - an exciting transition between primary rock and marine deposits.
Do I need a mountain guide for a high-altitude tour?
Yes, especially for beginners, the company of a certified mountain guide is highly recommended. Alpine tours often lead over glaciers with crevasses, steep firn flanks and exposed ridges. An experienced guide not only ensures safety, but also imparts valuable knowledge about technique, route selection and alpine dangers.
What advantages does a local mountain guide offer?
A local mountain guide knows the specific conditions of the region, such as weather conditions, glacier conditions and current route conditions. This expertise enables flexible tour planning and increases safety. In addition, a local guide enriches the experience with background information on the local mountains and culture.
What should I look out for when booking a mountain guide?
Make sure that your mountain guide is certified according to the standards of the International Union of Mountain Guide Associations (UIAGM/IFMGA). This certification guarantees comprehensive training and compliance with the highest safety standards. All ZERMATTERS mountain guides are trained according to these international guidelines.
What levels of difficulty are alpine tours divided into?
Alpine tours are rated according to the SAC mountain and alpine tour scale, which ranges from L (easy) to EX (extremely difficult). The French designations range from F (facile) to ED (extrêmement difficile). These classifications take into account the technical requirements, length of the tour and objective dangers.
What equipment do I need for an alpine tour?
The equipment required varies depending on the alpine tour and can be viewed directly on the equipment list for the respective ski tour.
In general, the standard equipment for an alpine tour includes
- Crampon-proof mountain boots
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Climbing harness
- Rope (depending on tour type and group size)
- Carabiners and slings
- helmet
- Warm, weatherproof clothing
- Sunglasses and sun protection
- First aid kit
- Map, compass or GPS device
When will a decision be made on the implementation of the high tour?
The final decision on whether to go ahead with an alpine tour is usually made 48 hours (sometimes only 24 hours) before the start of the tour, based on current weather and route conditions. You will be informed by us as early as possible about possible changes or cancellations.
How do I choose the right high-altitude tour for my ability?
The choice of an alpine tour should always be based on your personal ability and alpine experience. A gradual progression - from shorter to longer tours, from easy to technically more demanding - is advisable. Our mountain guides are happy to accompany you on this path and support you in your alpine development
Our offers are therefore provided with clear information on the level of difficulty, required stamina and technique to help you make the right decision. We are happy to provide you with personal advice directly. Come and visit us at the home base!
How can I best prepare myself for a high-altitude tour?
Good preparation is the key to a safe and enjoyable high-altitude experience. Regular endurance training - such as hiking, running or cycling - not only improves your fitness, but also your resilience at high altitudes. Technique training is just as important: you need to practise using crampons and ice axes to be able to move safely in the terrain. If you also attend alpine courses, study maps and familiarize yourself with meteorology and alpine dangers, you will have a solid foundation for making independent decisions in the mountains. Our mountain guides will not only support you along the way, but will also be happy to give you tips on how best to prepare - so that your alpine tour with ZERMATTERS is an unforgettable experience.
How difficult are alpine tours and how are they classified?
Alpine tours can be divided into seven main levels of difficulty according to the SAC Alpine Touring Scale:
- L: Easy
- WS: Not very difficult
- ZS: Fairly difficult
- S: Difficult
- SS: Very difficult
- AS: Extremely Difficult
- EX: Extremely difficult
Some of these grades can be additionally refined by a minus (-) or plus (+) to allow even more precise grading.
The rating is based on main criteria such as steepness, exposure, technical requirements and type of terrain (e.g. firn, ice, rock or glacier). Auxiliary criteria such as objective hazards, retreat options and seriousness of the route are also taken into account.
What happens if I don't meet the requirements for a tour?
Our mountain guides not only have a lot of experience, but also pay attention to the difficulty level of the tour when assessing it. At the same time, they decide on site whether the tour can be carried out as planned. If you do not meet the requirements and this compromises safety or the course of the tour, the tour may have to be adjusted or terminated prematurely. This decision is always made in the interests of the safety of everyone involved.
By the way, with a private mountain guide you are more flexible and can adjust the pace and route individually.
