Matterhorn

An iconic pyramidal summit above Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia on the Swiss–Italian border.

Pennine Alps · Valais and Aosta Valley · Switzerland and Italy · 4,478 m

Matterhorn above the alpine landscape

About Matterhorn

The Matterhorn is a sharply pyramidal summit above Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia, with four steep faces and four principal ridges.

The Hörnli Ridge from Switzerland and Lion Ridge from Italy are the classic routes. Both are exposed alpine climbs with rockfall, route-finding and rapidly changing conditions.

Notable ascents

  • 1865 — Hörnli Ridge: Edward Whymper, Michel Croz, Peter Taugwalder and others made the first ascent from the Swiss side.
  • 1865 — Lion Ridge: Jean-Antoine Carrel and companions completed the first ascent from the Italian side later in 1865.

Routes and approaches

The Matterhorn’s normal routes are exposed alpine climbs rather than ordinary hikes. Conditions, rockfall and congestion affect every ascent.

These records come from the existing route API; metrics and geometry are not invented.

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Sources and provenance

Mountain information is factual reference only, not a current conditions or safety report.

Page reviewed .