Zermatt is an alpinist’s dream. Not only does it have one of the world’s notorious peaks, the Matterhorn, it is also a region with a whopping 38 summits over 4000m.
These mountains are all part of Pennine Alps and include the Monterosa Massif, the second highest mountain range in Europe and the highest in Switzerland.
The highest peak is the Dufourspitze at 4634m – not much lower than the 4810m dome of Mt Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain.
But which of these mighty peaks are accessible to ‘normal’ folk during a trip to Zermatt?
5 Peaks in Zermatt You Can Visit
We’ve picked five of Zermatt’s best peaks to appeal to everyone from the humble view-seeker to the hardened mountaineer.
- Gornergrat
- Breithorn
- Klein Matterhorn
- Unterrothorn
- Riffelhorn
1. Gornergrat: Best for views and food
Peaking at 3089m the Gornergrat is not the highest mountain in the area, but it has a lot more to offer.
You can reach the summit easily by catching the Gornergrat Bahn railway from the centre of Zermatt to the top.
From the viewing platform at the summit, your eyes will be treated to an incredible 360 degree vista full of beautiful glaciers, high mountain lakes, and the north face of the Matterhorn.
There is also a hotel, lunch and dinner options and observatory. It is an excellent location for sightseers all year round, and in the winter it is part of the ski area.
2. Breithorn: Best for new mountaineers
This is a peak that many people climb as an introduction to the 4000m club, and the visual reward at the top is well worth the physical cost.
It is known as one of the most manageable climbs in the area, especially if you start at the top of the Klein Matterhorn where the 3S cable car arrives.
Ed from Matterhorn Chalets tends to climb Breithorn once a month during summer and winter (usually on touring skis):
For inexperienced climbers, it is advisable to go with a guide, and you will need specialist kit to complete this challenge.
Completion time is around three and a half hours, climbing nearly 400m to a maximum elevation of 4164m.
3. Klein Matterhorn: Best for skiing
This Matterhorn Glacier Paradise consists of multiple peaks and glaciers, but it makes our list as there is so much going on.
To start with, you can access the Klein Matterhorn every day of the year for sightseeing and skiing. The glacier is the only place in Europe you can ski all year round and is linked to the wider ski area in the winter.
There are also numerous viewing platform and restaurants as well as an ice palace, museum, and cinema. Since 2018, access had been on board the brand new 3S Cableway.
4. Unterrothorn: Best for walking and biking
Over on the other side of the Zermatt valley on the Sunnegga side is Unterrothorn, the highest point of the Rothorn sector.
To reach this point in the summer or winter, pedestrians can take the funicular to the Sunnegga area and then travel by cable car to reach the highest point of Unterrothorn at 3104m.
Once at the summit there is a variety of trails for walkers, mountain bikers and skiers in the winter.
It is also a popular spot for mountaineers looking to summit the Oberrothorn peak (3414m) and for paragliders to launch into the sky.
5. Riffelhorn: Best for climbers
Unless you are climber, you probably won’t know much about this rocky pinnacle at 2997m.
In winter skiers pass close to it as the Rotenboden stop on the Gornergrat Bahn is nearby.
At the top, there is no infrastructure, just rocky faces of varying degrees of steepness.
The variety of pitches is what makes it the ultimate place for climbing. Many guides use it as a build-up or training ground for adventurers hoping to conquer the Matterhorn.
Naturally, for the inexperienced, we recommend getting a professional to help familiarise yourself with the area, and more importantly, show you the best routes.
Accommodation in Zermatt
Whatever you use the mountains for, we can find you a selection of stunning serviced accommodation where you can relax, unwind and plan your adventure from.
Get in touch with one of our Zermatt experts for all the details either via our website or call +41 79 247 15 88.
