There is nothing like climbing the Matterhorn!

The Hörli Ridge Route is a wild and sustained climb to the top of Switzerland's most iconic peak. It's a test of cardiovascular fitness, endurance, strength and mental fortitude.

The Approach

We take a lift from Zermatt to 8,500'/2,600m, then hike 2,200' on nice trails to the Hörnli Hut. The hike should take around 2 hours.

The Hörnli Hut

The Hörnli Hut is about as comfortable as mountain life gets! It is a modern Swiss alpine hut with a full staff serving breakfast, lunch for purchase, and dinner. Its dorm rooms are small and comfortable, and it even has a shower!

The Hornli Ridge Route | 4,000' AD+ III

Hornli Ridge is a 4,000' (1200m) long alpine route that covers exposed rock, snow and ice at high altitude. From scrambling to vertical fixed lines to cramponing rock, snow and ice, the Matterhorn is a highly dynamic climb that requires numerous alpine skills.

While technically not difficult, the Matterhorn is a colossal physical challenge that will have even seasoned cardio athletes gasping for air. We start before dawn and set a fast pace as we make our way to the summit at 4,478m.

The Descent

After taking a few moments on the summit, it’s time to descend. The pace remains high as we reverse our route by downclimbing, lowering and rappelling. The descent is typically more time consuming and difficult than the ascent - be ready for engaging down-climbing!

All deposits are nonrefundable. Payment in full of the remaining balance is due 180 days before your trip starts.

Please Note: all Matterhorn climbing itineraries are subject to change due to weather/conditions on the mountain/client ability and fitness.

Secure your spot early! Prime dates for the Hörnli Hut often sell out within days of opening for reservations. Have your booking confirmed as early as possible to ensures we can lock in your preferred itinerary!

Want to learn more about the Hornli Ridge route?

Interested in Alpine climbs in Europe?

Gear Check in Zermatt, Switzerland. Gear is critical on this fast-paced climb. Your guide will double check that you have all the right gear for the trip and help you minimize weight, decide on the perfect layers, and choose how much food and water to bring.

We’ll get a casual start, making sure that we have all the necessary gear before we take the Gondola from Zermatt to Schwarzsee. From the Schwarzsee station, we'll hike 2,200' up to the Hornli Hut (about 2 hours) where we'll settle into our bunks and organize our gear for the climb before enjoying an excellent dinner provided by the hut staff. After dinner and desert, we'll get to bed early for the next day's alpine start.

A predawn start will leave us time for a long day of climbing at altitude. We’ll start with a quick breakfast from the hut, gear up and head out for the summit via the Hornli Ridge Route. We’ll climb just under 4,000' (1200m) of alpine rock and snow to reach the summit of the Matterhorn. From our high point, we’ll descend back to Hornli Hut where we’ll enjoy freshly cooked food, cold drinks and settle in for the night.

We’ll get breakfast at the Hut, descend back to the gondola and take the lift back to town when the tram opens in the morning.

This itinerary has a proven track record of success. By having two nights at the Hörnli Hut, we afford ourselves more time on summit day and it provides more options for inclement weather and conditions. It is possible to attempt a summit on Day 3 if we need to climb and return to the lift in one day, and we reserve that as an option if necessary.

Please note that all Matterhorn climbing itineraries are subject to change due to weather/conditions on the mountain/client ability and fitness.

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

• Intermediate Alpine Climbing Experience - Including cramponing and ice axe techniques including self arrest practice, basic rope skills. You should feel comfortable on steep, firm slopes of 40 degrees or more.


• Glacier Travel Experience - You should have experience on travelling on crevassed glaciers on a rope team.


• Excellent fitness - Able to spend 12-16 continuous hours outside, moving uphill at over 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-2 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 12-15 miles, climbing 3,000-6,000 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with excellent fitness typically have a strenuous workout 4-6 days per week. Be ready for a difficult day in the mountains!


• Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us

Here's what's included with your trip:

• IFMGA / UIAA Licensed Mountain Guide
• Lift tickets for your and your guide from Zermatt to Schwarzee, round trip
• 2 Nights Half Board at the Hornli Hutte (Dinner and Breakfast)
• Ropes & Group Climbing Gear

• Bottled Water or Extra Food at Huts
• Sleeping Bag Liner for Huts
• Personal Climbing Gear and Layers
• Guide Gratuities

Huts really simplify the gear needed for alpine climbing in the Alps. Download our Matterhorn Hornli Hutte Based Alpine Climbing Gear List Here:

🔽 Download the Matterhorn Hornli Ridge Gear List

Download our List above for the full Matterhorn Hornli Ridge Gear List, but here are a few items to get you started:

Mountaineering Gear

• Light, 3 Season Mountaineering Boots
• Ice Axe
• Crampons
• Climbing Harness
• 1x LARGE Locking Carabiner (Petzl William, etc)
• 2x Locking Carabiners (Petzl Attache, etc)
• Adjustable Tether (Petzl Connect Adjust)

• Headlamp
• Sleeping Bag Liner