The legendary Matterhorn needs no introduction. With its iconic, pyramid-like silhouette, it’s arguably the most recognizable peak in the world. At 4,478 meters (14,690 feet), summiting the Matterhorn is the ultimate dream for many aspiring alpinists—but it is also one of the most challenging classics in the Alps. This is no ordinary climb—for over 150 years, the Matterhorn has tested climbers’ determination and ability, and success hinges on meticulous planning, expert guidance, and excellent fitness. That’s why we’ve designed a 4-day itinerary to optimize your chances, allowing for proper acclimatization and a safer, more calculated approach to the summit. If you’re ready to take on this iconic peak, join us, and let us help you achieve one of the most coveted milestones in mountaineering.
During these 4 days, you will acclimate and summit Matterhorn—an important milestone in every alpine climber’s life! You will be climbing the Swiss side, not the Italian one, which means more modern huts with comfortable beds, meals, and drinks! While the Hörnli Ridge route is the most popular and easiest climb, it’s still incredibly challenging and requires excellent fitness. With a 1:1 climber-to-guide ratio, you will get undivided attention and get a chance to succeed in the endeavor every alpine climber dreams of!
You’ll meet your guide at around 4pm either in Zermatt or Cervinia (to be determined). After a briefing, you’ll ascend by lift to the Matterhorn Guide Refuge.
Start the day early with an ascent to the Central Breithorn via the rocky East Ridge, followed by a descent from the Western Breithorn on foot to Trockner Steg along the Teodulo Glacier. There will be an optional lunch break at the Matterhorn Guides’ Refuge. From Trockner Steg, take a cable car down to Schwarzsee and then hike an easy 2-hour path to the Hörnlihütte. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the refuge.
Elevation gain: 1,300 m / 4,265 ft
Elevation loss: 1,200 m / 3,940 ft
Duration: 8 hours
Today’s the day! You and your expert guide will attempt to summit the Matterhorn (4,478 m / 14,690 ft), the iconic peak of the Alps, via the Hörnli Ridge. Take in your achievement and incredible views, after which you’ll descend along the same route back to the Hörnlihütte. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the refuge. Opting to spend a second night at the Hörnlihütte can significantly increase the chances of reaching the summit.
Elevation gain: 1,200 m / 3,940 ft
Elevation loss: 1,200 m / 3,940 ft
Duration: 10-11 hours
Descend to Schwarzsee along the ascent path, with the option to take a cable car directly to Zermatt if starting from Switzerland. From there, ascend to Trockner Steg by cable car and continue on foot along the Teodulo Glacier to Testa Grigia, where you will take the lifts back to Cervinia. Conclude the adventure with greetings and dinner at the hotel (make sure to book the hotel for this night).
Please note that accommodations, food, and lifts are not included in the price of the tour. Your expert, certified guide will take care of all the logistics to ensure a seamless experience, but these additional costs will be your responsibility.
Included:
Add-ons — rental available, let us know if you need it upon checkout
Not included:
Climbing Matterhorn is tough and requires excellent physical condition and previous winter mountaineering experience at high altitudes. Progression above 4,000 m (1,300 ft) is more tiring than at lower altitudes (due to the lack of oxygen). If you have previous winter mountaineering experience and have already summited another, or better yet, multiple, 4,000-meter (1,300-ft) peaks of intermediate difficulty, you can sign up for this adventure.
Here are some other prerequisites:
This Matterhorn guided climb is considered to be advanced level climbing, so making sure you check all the boxes is a must. Safety is a top priority. If you’ve overestimated your skills, you’re inadequately trained and you’re moving too slowly, to the point where the guide cannot ensure a safe continuation of the tour, the guide has the right to stop the tour at any moment due to safety concerns.
This Matterhorn guided climb has been designed to reach the summit in 3 days instead of the traditional 2. This extended timeframe increases the chances of success from a 50% probability to 70–80%.
Typically, the climb involves both ascent and descent in one go. However, with this approach, you’ll also traverse the Central and Western Breithorn on the second day via the rocky and stunning East Ridge, which aids acclimatization. The descent from the Matterhorn summit will then be more relaxed, allowing you to rest comfortably at the Hörnlihütte refuge after this unforgettable experience.
Approximately 3,000 people attempt to summit the Matterhorn every year. Still, since the first ascent in 1865, more than 500 people have died while climbing or descending Matterhorn (three to four per year).
This is why going out with an expert, certified, knowledgeable, and experienced guide will make your Matterhorn attempt significantly safer. There are no crevasse, serac or avalanche hazards on the Hörnli ridge, but the complicated route-finding, exposed climbing sections with a risk of falling, altitude, rock fall, and length make it a significant challenge.
Safety is a top priority. If you’ve overestimated your skills, you’re inadequately trained and you’re moving too slowly, to the point where the guide cannot ensure a safe continuation of the tour, the guide has the right to stop the tour at any moment due to safety concerns.
Summiting any peak is never guaranteed. While careful preparation, an experienced guide, and favorable weather significantly increase the chances, success ultimately depends on factors like physical fitness, acclimatization, climbing skills, and unpredictable mountain conditions. Even with the best planning, safety always takes priority, and unforeseen challenges may require turning back.
Proper preparation is crucial for this Matterhorn guided climb. Here’s a list of personal equipment and clothing you need to bring?
Here’s a list of mountaineering equipment you need to bring:
It’s possible to rent mountaineering equipment. Please let us know upon checkout if you require any help.
Group sizes and pricing
Matterhorn guided climbs can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
The starting point of your Matterhorn guided climb is either Zermatt or Cervinia. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA).
Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach Zermatt, including public transport. Looking to make airport transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!
If you’re heading towards Cervinia, you can also consider Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). Depending on where you land and whether you rent a car or go by public transport, it will take you anywhere between 2.5 to 6 hours to reach Cervinia.
You’ll meet your guide at around 4pm, which is when you’ll have a briefing and then ascend by lift to the Matterhorn Guide Refuge.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
