Hiking & Alpinism around the Matterhorn
Time for fantastic adventures in the mountains of Switzerland
Get to know the mountains of Zermatt. Start your hiking route at the foot of the legendary Matterhorn and feel the happiness when reaching the summit. For sporty mountain fans and passionate alpinists, Zermatt is an absolute dream destination with the highest and most beautiful peaks of Switzerland.
The well-developed network of hiking trails offers numerous tours for alpine enthusiasts of all levels, summer and winter. Whether alone, as a couple or with the whole family - discover the high Alpine peaks and enjoy the feeling of freedom when reaching the top.
Real highlights can already be seen on easy tours - e.g. on the Riffelseeweg, a hiking tour that is only 3 km long, where you can marvel at the reflection of the Matterhorn in the lake "Riffelsee".
Hiking Holidays in Switzerland
Discover new paths and destinations around Zermatt. The numerous, partially themed, hiking trails offer nature experiences of a special kind: lush alpine meadows, clear mountain lakes, green larch forests as well as sculptures and works of art in the mountains. Always in view: the incomparable mountain panorama.
If you want to get particularly close to the legendary Matterhorn, follow the challenging Hörnli trail to the Hörnlihütte, the base camp on the Matterhorn. In the summer months, you can watch mountaineers climbing the Matterhorn via the Hörnli ridge.
Hiking in Zermatt
Information for Hikers
- The Resort La Ginabelle Zermatt rents out hiking and nordic walking gear free of charge: hiking boots, poles, maps and back packs.
- The alpine centre of Zermatt offers guided tours: trained mountain guides will show you safe routes to get to the top.
- 29 fourthousanders surround Zermatt, at an altitude of 4478m lies the Matterhorn.
- The highest cable car station in Europe: the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
Alpinism & Climbing
The best time of the year to practice alpinism in Zermatt is from the beginning of July until mid-September. While reaching one of the summits over 4000m above sea level, you climb on rocks, snow and ice. So, a good physical condition is required and spiked boots are a necessity. Booking a trained mountain guide is recommended. They assist you in your aspiration to reach the peak and can easily answer all of your further questions about the different mountains.
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Tips to climb the big mountains of Zermatt:
- Breithorn (4164 m): Is considered one of the easiest summits to reach at over 4000m above sea level and a 2km wide ridge.
- Matterhorn (4478 m): Only for very advanced mountaineers. Climbing on rocks and ice via the Hörnli ridge. Even the most experienced climbers should not climb the Matterhorn without a guide.
- Dom (4545 m): Highest summit in Switzerland, after the mountain hut "Dom", the ascent requires a lot of physical strength and technique.
- Pollux (4091 m) and Castor (4223 m): also called the « twin peaks » are located between the Breithorn and the Liskamm. Castor's peak lies in Italy.
- Via ferrata at the "Gorner gorge“ between Furri (1865) and Zermatt (1620m).
- Climbing tours on the Riffelhorn (2928 m)
- „Mammut“ climbing trail For more information
- In winter: indoor climbing wall at Triftbach For more information
Snowshoe and Winter-Hiking Trails
In winter, Zermatt offers numerous possibilities to explore the mountain world on snowy hiking trails. When winter hiking, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Sunnegga, the Matterhorn and the village of Zermatt.
Snowshoes enable you to enjoy winter hiking even more intensively. Experience the Riffelsee in hibernation when you snowshoe from Rotenboden to Riffelberg. Or watch chamois move elegantly through the snow when you do the White Magic Trail from Schwarzsee to Furi. From the Gornergrat you can hike alongside the Gornergrat railway tracks for 1.7 km down to Rotenboden - an easy but extremely beautiful tour with a fantastic view.