Matterhorn
Mountain tour on the Matterhorn
-
Endurance
4Hiking Time: 8–9 hours. Up to approx. 1600 vertical meters. For experienced alpinists with excellent stamina. -
Technique
4You've already climbed several 4000-meter peaks and are well acclimatized. Handling ice axe and crampons is second nature to you. Ridge climbs up to grade III and steep terrain on rock and ice pose no problem. -
Duration
approx. 8 h -
Date
Mid-July - Mid-September -
Teilnehmer
1 person
Gallery (10)
Do you dream of climbing the Matterhorn - perhaps the most famous mountain in the world? Then you've come to the right place. At 4,478 m, the Matterhorn ( Cervino in Italian, Le Cervin in French, Hore in Valais German) is one of the highest and most symbolic peaks in the Alps. Its striking shape has fascinated visitors for centuries - and once you've been up there, you'll never forget it.
Highlights
Description
The Matterhorn is one of the highest and most impressive peaks in Switzerland. Since the dramatic first ascent in 1865, it has become a legend - and fascinates alpinists worldwide. You need to be in very good physical condition, sure-footed, acclimatized and have good climbing technique. We therefore recommend that you start your preparations early - with us if you wish.
On the summit day, the tour begins early in the morning: we rope up at the hut. After a few minutes we reach the start of the Hörnligrat. The ascent leads over rock, ridge, fixed ropes in places and a final snow field. Halfway up, we pass the Solvay hut - an emergency bivouac with a fantastic view.
We put on our crampons before crossing the summit ridge - past the Bernhard statue - to reach the summit cross. Safety is the top priority. If you are not fit enough on the summit day, we reserve the right to cancel the tour for safety reasons. Prepare yourself well - for an unforgettable, safe experience.
Program
Day 1: Individual Ascent to the Hörnli Hut
- Individual hike (T4) on the Hörnli Trail from Schwarzsee to the Hörnli Hut
- Meeting with your IFMGA-certified mountain guide at around 6:00 PM at the ZERMATTERS corner in the hut’s restaurant
Day 2: Ascent of the Matterhorn
- Individual breakfast
- Start around 04:00 (depending on the season)
- Ascent via the Hörnli ridge, the normal Swiss route
- Stopover at the Solvay hut (emergency bivouac with terrace)
- Climbing passages and firn fields - partly secured with fixed ropes
- Summit ridge and reaching the summit cross
- Descent via the same route to the Hörnli hut
- Farewell and individual return journey via Schwarzsee to Zermatt
Additional costs
- Overnight stay and half board in the Hörnlihütte for you and your mountain guide: from approx. CHF 150.00 per person
- Rail journey Zermatt-Schwarzsee return: from approx. CHF 32.00
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 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
Notes
Climbing the Matterhorn is a demanding high-altitude tour. Please include in your booking request which 4000m peaks you have already climbed and what other mountaineering experience you bring (Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc via the normal route are not comparable to the Matterhorn, as they are not rock climbs).
An online booking of the Matterhorn is only possible with a preparatory tour. This allows you to train with us on a guided climb, while we assess whether your skills are sufficient for the Matterhorn ascent. At the same time, it helps you to acclimatize properly. As preparation tours we offer, besides the Breithorn Traverse, also the ascent of Pollux or the Riffelhorn. If you have any questions regarding preparation, please contact us by phone or e-mail.
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 Matterhorn
General information about the Matterhorn
- The Matterhorn is 4,478 m high and is one of the highest mountains in Switzerland.
- You always need crampons to climb the Hörnli ridge from the Hörnli hut. On the Liongrat (Italian route) you can do without them in ideal conditions.
- The first ascent on July 14, 1865 by Edward Whymper ended dramatically - the broken rope and the death of four rope team members left their mark on the history of alpinism. The original rope is on display at the Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis.
Special features of the Matterhorn
- The summit ridge runs exactly along the national border - the summit cross stands on the so-called Italian summit.
- The first ascent marked the end of the "Golden Age of Alpinism".
- Andy Steindl, a local mountain guide from Zermatt, set a speed record in 2018: Zermatt-Summit-Zermatt in just 3h 59min 52s.
- Ulrich Inderbinen, a Zermatt mountain guide legend, climbed the Matterhorn for the last time at the age of 90 - a symbol of passion, experience and endurance.
Why is a preparation tour for the Matterhorn necessary?
The Matterhorn is one of the most challenging high-altitude tours in the Alps and is also very popular. The large crowds mean that everything has to work on the tour to have a chance of reaching the summit. A preparation tour serves to test and improve your technical skills and strengthen your stamina and surefootedness in exposed terrain. Ideally, you can also acclimatize directly with the preparation tour, which will make your ascent of the Matterhorn a lot more pleasant. It also allows your mountain guide to realistically assess your fitness for the Matterhorn ascent and give you feedback on where you may still need to train.
What requirements do I have to fulfill for the ascent?
- Be in very good physical condition for long tours
- Have experience in alpine climbing up to the 3rd degree of difficulty
- Be confident in using crampons on rocky ground
- Be acclimatized to altitudes above 3,000 m
- Have mental strength for exposed passages
What makes climbing the Matterhorn so difficult and dangerous?
- Technical climbing: Sections up to grade III (UIAA) in exposed terrain require experience and surefootedness.
- Brittle rock and risk of falling rocks: The partially loose rock increases the risk of falling rocks, especially when the temperature rises during the course of the day.
- Difficult route finding: Despite markings, orientation can be challenging, especially in poor visibility or darkness.
- High crowds: In high season, many rope teams try to reach the summit, which leads to traffic jams and increased risk.
- Time pressure and weather conditions: A brisk pace is required to get back to the hut before the daytime warming and the associated dangers.
With a ZERMATTERS guide, you are professionally accompanied and well prepared for the combination of these factors.
What is the most common reason for breaking off a tour?
A common reason for abandoning a Matterhorn ascent is exhaustion due to inadequate preparation. The tour requires a fast pace in order to get back to the hut in time before the daytime warming and the associated risks such as falling rocks or unstable snow conditions. If you can't keep up this pace at altitude, you will quickly reach your physical and mental limits. Targeted preparation with acclimatization tours and training in similar terrain is therefore essential in order to safely master the demands of climbing the Matterhorn.
What is the starting order in the Hörnlihütte?
To avoid traffic jams and dangerous overtaking maneuvers, there is a fixed starting order from the Hörnlihütte at around 03:30 in the morning:
- Zermatt mountain guides with guests
- External mountain guides with guests
- Unguided rope teams
This rule is for the safety of everyone involved and is strictly enforced. This is a further argument for you to book your Matterhorn tour with a ZERMATTERS mountain guide.
-
Endurance
4Hiking Time: 8–9 hours. Up to approx. 1600 vertical meters. For experienced alpinists with excellent stamina. -
Technique
4You've already climbed several 4000-meter peaks and are well acclimatized. Handling ice axe and crampons is second nature to you. Ridge climbs up to grade III and steep terrain on rock and ice pose no problem. -
Duration
approx. 8 h -
Date
Mid-July - Mid-September -
Teilnehmer
1 person
Do you dream of climbing the Matterhorn - perhaps the most famous mountain in the world? Then you've come to the right place. At 4,478 m, the Matterhorn ( Cervino in Italian, Le Cervin in French, Hore in Valais German) is one of the highest and most symbolic peaks in the Alps. Its striking shape has fascinated visitors for centuries - and once you've been up there, you'll never forget it.
Highlights
Duration
- Ascent to the summit of the Matterhorn (4,478 m): approx. 4 hours from the Hörnlihütte
- Descent back to the Hörnlihütte (3,260 m): approx. 4 hours
Date
Daily from mid-July to mid-September, depending on the conditions on the route and in the summit area
Description
The Matterhorn is one of the highest and most impressive peaks in Switzerland. Since the dramatic first ascent in 1865, it has become a legend - and fascinates alpinists worldwide. You need to be in very good physical condition, sure-footed, acclimatized and have good climbing technique. We therefore recommend that you start your preparations early - with us if you wish.
On the summit day, the tour begins early in the morning: we rope up at the hut. After a few minutes we reach the start of the Hörnligrat. The ascent leads over rock, ridge, fixed ropes in places and a final snow field. Halfway up, we pass the Solvay hut - an emergency bivouac with a fantastic view.
We put on our crampons before crossing the summit ridge - past the Bernhard statue - to reach the summit cross. Safety is the top priority. If you are not fit enough on the summit day, we reserve the right to cancel the tour for safety reasons. Prepare yourself well - for an unforgettable, safe experience.
Program
Day 1: Individual Ascent to the Hörnli Hut
- Individual hike (T4) on the Hörnli Trail from Schwarzsee to the Hörnli Hut
- Meeting with your IFMGA-certified mountain guide at around 6:00 PM at the ZERMATTERS corner in the hut’s restaurant
Day 2: Ascent of the Matterhorn
- Individual breakfast
- Start around 04:00 (depending on the season)
- Ascent via the Hörnli ridge, the normal Swiss route
- Stopover at the Solvay hut (emergency bivouac with terrace)
- Climbing passages and firn fields - partly secured with fixed ropes
- Summit ridge and reaching the summit cross
- Descent via the same route to the Hörnli hut
- Farewell and individual return journey via Schwarzsee to Zermatt
Additional costs
- Overnight stay and half board in the Hörnlihütte for you and your mountain guide: from approx. CHF 150.00 per person
- Rail journey Zermatt-Schwarzsee return: from approx. CHF 32.00
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 Matterhorn, 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
Notes
Climbing the Matterhorn is a demanding high-altitude tour. Please include in your booking request which 4000m peaks you have already climbed and what other mountaineering experience you bring (Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc via the normal route are not comparable to the Matterhorn, as they are not rock climbs).
An online booking of the Matterhorn is only possible with a preparatory tour. This allows you to train with us on a guided climb, while we assess whether your skills are sufficient for the Matterhorn ascent. At the same time, it helps you to acclimatize properly. As preparation tours we offer, besides the Breithorn Traverse, also the ascent of Pollux or the Riffelhorn. If you have any questions regarding preparation, please contact us by phone or e-mail.
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 Matterhorn
General information about the Matterhorn
- The Matterhorn is 4,478 m high and is one of the highest mountains in Switzerland.
- You always need crampons to climb the Hörnli ridge from the Hörnli hut. On the Liongrat (Italian route) you can do without them in ideal conditions.
- The first ascent on July 14, 1865 by Edward Whymper ended dramatically - the broken rope and the death of four rope team members left their mark on the history of alpinism. The original rope is on display at the Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis.
Special features of the Matterhorn
- The summit ridge runs exactly along the national border - the summit cross stands on the so-called Italian summit.
- The first ascent marked the end of the "Golden Age of Alpinism".
- Andy Steindl, a local mountain guide from Zermatt, set a speed record in 2018: Zermatt-Summit-Zermatt in just 3h 59min 52s.
- Ulrich Inderbinen, a Zermatt mountain guide legend, climbed the Matterhorn for the last time at the age of 90 - a symbol of passion, experience and endurance.
Why is a preparation tour for the Matterhorn necessary?
The Matterhorn is one of the most challenging high-altitude tours in the Alps and is also very popular. The large crowds mean that everything has to work on the tour to have a chance of reaching the summit. A preparation tour serves to test and improve your technical skills and strengthen your stamina and surefootedness in exposed terrain. Ideally, you can also acclimatize directly with the preparation tour, which will make your ascent of the Matterhorn a lot more pleasant. It also allows your mountain guide to realistically assess your fitness for the Matterhorn ascent and give you feedback on where you may still need to train.
What requirements do I have to fulfill for the ascent?
- Be in very good physical condition for long tours
- Have experience in alpine climbing up to the 3rd degree of difficulty
- Be confident in using crampons on rocky ground
- Be acclimatized to altitudes above 3,000 m
- Have mental strength for exposed passages
What makes climbing the Matterhorn so difficult and dangerous?
- Technical climbing: Sections up to grade III (UIAA) in exposed terrain require experience and surefootedness.
- Brittle rock and risk of falling rocks: The partially loose rock increases the risk of falling rocks, especially when the temperature rises during the course of the day.
- Difficult route finding: Despite markings, orientation can be challenging, especially in poor visibility or darkness.
- High crowds: In high season, many rope teams try to reach the summit, which leads to traffic jams and increased risk.
- Time pressure and weather conditions: A brisk pace is required to get back to the hut before the daytime warming and the associated dangers.
With a ZERMATTERS guide, you are professionally accompanied and well prepared for the combination of these factors.
What is the most common reason for breaking off a tour?
A common reason for abandoning a Matterhorn ascent is exhaustion due to inadequate preparation. The tour requires a fast pace in order to get back to the hut in time before the daytime warming and the associated risks such as falling rocks or unstable snow conditions. If you can't keep up this pace at altitude, you will quickly reach your physical and mental limits. Targeted preparation with acclimatization tours and training in similar terrain is therefore essential in order to safely master the demands of climbing the Matterhorn.
What is the starting order in the Hörnlihütte?
To avoid traffic jams and dangerous overtaking maneuvers, there is a fixed starting order from the Hörnlihütte at around 03:30 in the morning:
- Zermatt mountain guides with guests
- External mountain guides with guests
- Unguided rope teams
This rule is for the safety of everyone involved and is strictly enforced. This is a further argument for you to book your Matterhorn tour with a ZERMATTERS mountain guide.
