Täschhorn

Mountain tour on the Täschhorn

  • Endurance
    5
    Hiking Time: more than 10 hours. Over 1800 vertical meters. Long, demanding tours for top-trained and high alpine guests.
  • Technique
    5
    You're highly acclimatized and have summited many 4000ers. You’re very experienced with ice axe, crampons, and rope techniques. You climb confidently at UIAA grade III–IV, feel secure on exposed ridges, and master difficult mixed terrain with ease.
  • Duration
    approx. 10 h
  • Date
    Mid-July - Mid-September
  • Participants
    1 person

The Täschhorn (4,491 m) is the second-highest peak in the imposing Mischabel group - only slightly lower than the Dom. Together with your mountain guide, you will experience a three-day high-altitude tour with everything that makes the Alpine heart beat faster: two four-thousand-metre peaks, long ridge climbs, a spectacular bivouac night - and a breathtaking finale over the legendary Mischabel ridge.


About this tour



Duration

  • The Täschhorn ascent is divided into two ascent days
  • Day 1
    • Ascent to the summit of the Alphubel ('4206 m): approx. 5 hours from the Täschhütte
    • Descent to the Mischabeljoch bivouac (3,855 m): approx. 1 hour
  • 2nd day
    • Ascent to the summit of the Täschhorn (4,491 m): approx. 3 - 4 hours
    • Descent to Täschalp (2,205 m): approx. 6 hours

Date

Daily from mid-July - mid-September, depending on the conditions


Number of participants

1 participant per mountain guide


Description

Ascent day 1
After spending the night in the Täschhütte, we set off early. We ascend along a well-maintained hiking trail until we reach the Alphubel glacier. There we put on our crampons and climb up to the Alphubeljoch. The ascent over the steeper ice nose requires concentration - but is rewarded by the wide summit plateau with views over the entire Valais.

After a short rest, we cross the Alphubel and descend over rock and firn to the Mischabeljoch bivouac. Here - at over 3,800 m - we end the day by cooking together and watching an impressive sunset.

Ascent day 2
We also start early today. As we pass the bivouac again on the descent, we leave everything unnecessary behind. The ascent to the Täschhorn is an airy ridge climb over the Mischabelgrat - sometimes on firn, sometimes on rock. A magnificent panoramic view and a view of the mighty connecting ridge to the Dom await at the top.

The descent takes us back to the bivouac and then over the Weingarten glacier to Täschalp. The last section leads us downhill over tracks and scree - a worthy conclusion to a great alpine undertaking.


Program

1

Day 1: Individual ascent to the Täsch hut

  • Arrival by train to Täsch
  • Individual hike to the Täschhütte from Täsch train station
  • Meeting with your IFMGA-certified mountain guide at around 18:00 at the hut
2

Day 2: Ascent of the Alphubel

  • Individual breakfast
  • Ascent over the steep ice nose to the Alphubel summit
  • Crossing the summit plateau
  • Descent to the Mischabeljoch bivouac
  • Cooking together & overnight stay in the bivouac
3

Day 3: Ascent of the Täschhorn

  • Early start with light luggage
  • Ascent of the Täschhorn via the Mischabel ridge (normal route)
  • Descent back to the Mischabeljoch bivouac
  • Further descent via the Weingarten glacier to Täschalp
  • Farewell and individual return to Zermatt via Täsch station

Meeting point

Individual ascent to the Täschhütte from Täsch or Täschalp. Meeting point at approx. 18:00 at the Täschhütte followed by dinner with your mountain guide.

Meeting point on Google Maps

Täsch hut


Additional costs

  • Overnight stay and half board in the Täschhütte for you and your mountain guide: from approx. CHF 89.00 per person
  • Overnight stay and half board in the Mischabeljochbiwak for you and your mountain guide: from approx. CHF 32.00 per person
  • Catering for the evening of the second day
  • Rail journey Zermatt-Täsch return: from approx. CHF 8.60
  • Rental equipment: between CHF 50.00 and CHF 70.00, available in a sports store in Zermatt

Material

To ensure that you are optimally equipped for the ascent of the Täschhorn, you should definitely have this equipment with you:


  • Crampon compatible mountain shoes with a rigid Vibram sole
  • Harness
  • 1 carabiner
  • Crampons with anti-balling plates
  • Ice axe (for the Matterhorn: depending on the conditions)
  • Hiking pole
  • Helmet
  • Backpack, approx. 30 l
  • Warm and weatherproof clothes
  • Finger gloves (evtl.changing gloves)
  • Beanie / headband
  • Sunglasses and sun protection
  • Headlamp
  • Drinks
  • Energetic snacks (high energy foods such as chocolate, dried fruit etc.) 
  • Washing kit
  • Few changing clothes
  • Bandades
  • Small personal pharmacy
  • Innenliner (mandatory)
  • Money, passport

 

Equipment rental:
You can rent the following equipment from our office:

  • Avalanche equipment (avalanche transceivers, shovels, probes, ABS backpacks)
  • Crampons
  • Hiking poles
  • Climbing harness
  • Via ferrata set
  • Thin gloves

If you need more equipment, you can hire it from a sports store in Zermatt.


Notes

The ascent of the Täschorn is a challenging 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 (Kilimanjaro and the Mont Blanc normal route are not comparable with the Täschhorn, as these are not rock tours).

We recommend that you prepare for the challenge in advance with a guided training tour with us - for example on the Breithorn Traverse, Pollux or Riffelhorn. This is also an ideal way to acclimatize. This can also be done in a group, provided another person has registered for it.


Insurance

Insurance is the responsibility of the participant. We recommend valid accident and evacuation insurance.


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 Täschhorn

General information about the Täschhorn

The Täschhorn is 4,491 m high and is part of the striking Mischabel group between the Saas and Matter valleys

  • The normal route leads over the airy Mischabel ridge - which we climb from the Mischabeljoch bivouac.
  • Despite its height, it is often overshadowed by the Dom - wrongly so, as it is one of the great alpine tours in the Alps.

Special features of the Täschhorn

The Täschhorn is higher than the Matterhorn - and its north face drops steeply to over 1,500 meters. The first ascent in 1962 directly from Randa meant a height difference of over 3,000 m - almost at Himalayan level.

  • The notorious Devil's Ridge owes its name to the difficult climbing passages in the brittle rock - a destination for extreme alpinists with a lot of experience.

"The sunrise on the ridge to the Täschhorn is always breathtaking"

André Imboden

ZERMATTERS Mountainguide


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FAQ

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.

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