Matterhorn

The Matterhorn (4478 m) is a border peak between Switzerland and Italy and the emblematic pyramid of the Alps above Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia.

• 4478 m border summit with an instantly recognisable pyramid silhouette.
• First ascent on 14 July 1865 via the Hörnli ridge; four climbers died on descent – a watershed moment in mountaineering.
• Normal route: Hörnligrat from Hörnlihütte 3260 m; Solvay emergency bivouac 4003 m (1915–1917) strictly for distress only.
• Easiest viewpoints: Gornergrat 3089 m (rack railway) and Klein Matterhorn/Matterhorn Glacier Paradise 3883 m – Europe’s highest mountain station.
• Since 2023, the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing enables a continuous cross-border cable-car link between Zermatt and Cervinia.

• Wide-angle Matterhorn views from Gornergrat and the 3883 m Glacier Paradise platform.
• The approach hike to Hörnlihütte from Schwarzsee with close-up views of the Hörnli ridge.
• Mirror-lake viewpoints on classic trails (e.g., Stellisee/Five Lakes Walk).

Long deemed “unclimbable”, the Matterhorn was first summited on 14.07.1865 by Edward Whymper’s party; tragedy on descent made the mountain a global icon and sparked debate on alpine risk.

Standard routes followed: the Hörnligrat from Zermatt and the Cresta del Leone from Valtournenche; the Solvay bivouac was added 1915–1917, and the Hörnlihütte repeatedly rebuilt, most recently 2015. In 1931, the Schmid brothers completed the first ascent of the North Face – one of the Alps’ “six great north faces”.

Location: Border ridge of Valais (CH) and Valle d’Aosta (IT) above Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia.

Getting there: Trains to car-free Zermatt; by car only as far as Täsch, then Matterhorn Terminal parking and a ~12-min shuttle train. For viewpoints use the Gornergrat Bahn (to 3089 m, ~33 min) or the Klein Matterhorn lifts to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise 3883 m; the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing links to Testa Grigia/Cervinia.

Access: Viewpoints by lifts and railway; the Hörnlihütte trail is a mountain path with steps and scree. Summit climbs are for experienced alpinists with an IFMGA guide.

Visiting hours: Viewpoints year-round, subject to wind/maintenance; classic summit season early/mid-July – mid-September depending on conditions.

Visit duration: 2–4 h for one viewpoint; half-day for two; add 3–4 h out-and-back to Hörnlihütte from Schwarzsee.

Best time: Early morning or golden hour in stable weather; winds are common on ridges.

Notes: Altitude 3000+ m – acclimatise and dress warm/windproof. Carry ID for cross-border lifts. Solvay is emergency-only; bivouacking outside huts is not allowed.