Although Zermatt’s most famous peak is the Matterhorn, the Breithorn is the first of the local ‘four-thousanders’ you see when approaching the village from the valley.

The ‘wide mountain’

The Breithorn, which aptly translates as “wide mountain”, can be seen from as far away as Mattsand, some 16 km below Zermatt, from where it appears as a massive three-peaked glaciated wall with its dramatic west cornice.

 

A Mountaineer’s Playground

Straddling the Swiss-Italian boarder, the Breithorn was first climbed in 1813 by a party including Englishman Henry Maynard.

It offers a wide selection of mountaineering options which vary in difficulty from the particularly challenging north face to the mostly benign south-south-west flank – an ideal introduction to high altitude climbing.

 

The Easiest 4000m Summit…

Whilst the full traverse of the mountain’s three summits and multiple subsidiary peaks is perhaps the most satisfying and accessible of excursions, the south-south-west flank attracts thousands of tourists every year.

This may be because the route to the western summit at 4164m is widely advertised as the “easiest” 4000m climb in the Alps.

 

…Although Sometimes Not So Easy!

That said, conditions not only vary greatly from month to month but even from day to day.

What can seem easy on one occasion can become hellishly difficult at another time, particularly in high wind or if the ascent is made on touring skis with skins.

 

It’s Great At The Top!

Whatever the weather, however, the mood among climbers at the top is always congenial, if a little noisy when a large Italian contingent is present.

And the panorama is breathtaking as nearly all of the Alps’ principal peaks are visible on a clear day.

 

Visit Zermatt to climb the Breithorn, winter or summer, and feel you’ve achieved something!

Accommodation in Zermatt
For accommodation options in Zermatt in summer, take a look at www.matterhornchalets.com