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Legendary summit Matterhorn
Duration:
5 days
Price from: 3 510€
Fitness:
Infobulle physique
Physical Level 1: For individuals who engage in occasional physical activities, positive elevation gain of up to 300m.
Physical Level 2: For individuals who engage in regular physical activities, positive elevation gain of up to 600m or routes above 3500m.
Physical Level 3: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain of up to 900m or routes above 4000m.
Physical Level 4: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain of up to 1300m.
Physical Level 5: For individuals who engage in intensive endurance activities, positive elevation gain exceeding 1300m.
Technique:
Infobulle technique
Technical Level 1: For regular hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route is not very steep and is well-marked, or the activity may also take place in beginner-friendly areas.
Technical Level 2: For experienced hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route includes short, steep sections and may involve scree or rocky ridges, requiring surefootedness.
Technical Level 3: For occasional mountaineers (2 to 5 recent outings). The route includes steep sections requiring prior climbing experience at a French grade 3c level and/or mastery of crampons and ice axe use.
Technical Level 4: For regular mountaineers (5 to 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing at a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and an ice axe, as well as basic roping and belaying techniques.
Technical Level 5: For experienced mountaineers (more than 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing above a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and ice axes for ice climbing, as well as advanced roping and belaying techniques.
General information
A Legendary Summit
The Matterhorn (4,478 m), with the purity of its lines and the striking steepness of its faces, embodies the ideal mountain that every alpinist dreams of climbing one day. Its ascent is a true reference, both for the beauty of the summit and the strength of its history. The first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 had a major impact and marked the history of alpinism forever. It ended, however, in tragedy: several members of the rope team, including the Chamonix guide Michel Croz, lost their lives during the descent. The north face of the Matterhorn forms, together with those of the Eiger (3,967 m) and the Grandes Jorasses (4,208 m), the famous trilogy of the great north faces of the Alps.
Hörnli Ridge - Our guided program
The Hörnli Ridge is the normal route on the Swiss side of the Matterhorn. Mainly rocky, it offers a sustained but technically moderate climb (3b, sections of 4b), facilitated by the presence of fixed ropes. However, the ascent should not be underestimated. It requires confident and efficient movement on rock, good physical condition and the ability to maintain a steady pace in a high-altitude environment. We offer this ascent as a 5-day program designed to optimise acclimatisation, preparation and success. You climb one-to-one with your guide, allowing for a fully personalised approach and continuous adaptation to conditions and your pace.
A preparation tailored to your objective
This program includes two dedicated preparation days, followed by a rest day before the summit attempt, allowing you to approach the climb in the best possible conditions. Our guiding is based on detailed knowledge of the route and mountain conditions, ensuring optimal safety and decision-making throughout the ascent. The program can be adapted to your specific needs, with additional preparation days if required.
Private booking
Private booking offers a fully tailored experience with a guide. You’ll be alone, with an itinerary adapted to your preferences and pace, for maximum freedom and comfort.
Dates
From the end of June to Mid-September
Price 2026
3510€ per person
✅ Included in the package
- IFMGA English speaking mountain guiding service,
- two half-board in mountain huts (dinner, breakfast and night),
- transfer go & back Day 1&2
- lift access as per programme,
❌ Not included in the package
- personal drinks in huts and other personal expenses (we recommend you bring Euros and Swiss Francs)
- take out lunches and daily snacks
- nights in the Chamonix valley
- transfer go&back from Chamonix to Zermatt
- cost of getting to meeting point (Chamonix)
- personal technical equipment
Further information
In this section, find all the information about this activity. To prepare your trip effectively, refer to the guides’ tips. They share their expertise and recommendations, ensuring you have a great experience.
⚠️ Registration possible from age 18
Meeting point
Departure on day 1 is at 8.30am from the Compagnie des Guides in Chamonix
Fitness level
Suitable for individuals in excellent physical condition. Participants should be prepared for 10 to 12 hours of physical effort
Technical level
A solid background in mountaineering, and robust physical fitness are prerequisites for this ascent. Proficiency in climbing, with a minimum grade of 4+, is essential
Guiding policy
One participant per guide. Registration possible from age 18. This guiding policy ensures high-quality guiding services
Accommodation
Half-board in huts for 2 nights. Benefit from specials prices with our hotel partners in Chamonix
Documentation
Participants must have mountain sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance when you sign up. Participants must also take valid ID with them
Documents available for download
Equipment
We recommend you take particular care over you choice of equipment, as it plays a large role in the success of your trip. Weight is critical, and you must always evaluate the weight-to-comfort ratio to find the best compromise.
Equipment
- Mountainnering shoes compatible with semi-rigid crampons
- Climbing harness, 1 belay device, 1 lanyard, 1 prusik cord, 2 locking carabiners
- Crampons with anti-balling plates
- Ice axe (type to be discussed with your guide)
- Helmet
- Comfortable backpack (approx. 30-35 litres)
Clothing
- Choose warm, lightweight clothing. Several thin layers are better than one thick one!
- 1st layer: technical short- and long-sleeve base layers
- 2nd layer: fleece or thermal mid-layer
- 3rd layer: Gore-Tex-style waterproof jacket
- Lightweight down jacket for extra warmth
- Softshell mountaineering pants or Gore-Tex-style overpants with light base layer
- Gaiters
- Mountaineering socks
- Warm hat and sun cap
- Thin gloves and waterproof insulated gloves
Accessories
- Water bottle (1 to 1.5 litres)
- Headtorch with spare batteries
- Glacier sunglasses (category 4 lenses)
- Sunscreen (face and lips)
- Personal first aid kit (aspirin, plasters, blister pads, ear plugs, basic toiletries, tissues, toilet paper, etc.)
- Waterproof pouch with ID or passport + cash for drinks at the hut
Sleeping bag liner
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
For clothes, you can contact our partner Millet
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Route from Pointe Helbronner | Night in the Torino Hut (3370m)
Before undertaking the ascent of the Matterhorn, it is essential for your body to acclimate to the altitude. Your guide must also assess your technical skills to ensure they align with the requirements of such a climb. This step also provides the opportunity to make necessary adjustments to fully prepare you. Example of route : Aiguilles d'Entrèves traverse (3600m) or Freshfield arete on Tour Ronde (3793m). Night in Torino Hut.
Day 2
Route from the Torino hut
This second day will reinforce the essential process of acclimating your body to the altitude while providing you with the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments. Example of route : Ascent of the normal route of the Dent du Géant (4,013m), allowing you to climb one of the flagship peaks of the Mont Blanc massif and become acquainted with the use of fixed ropes.
Day 3
Rest day
Rest/spare day depending on weather conditions.
Day 4
Ascent to Hörnli Hut (3260m)
Leave Zermatt in the mid-morning. Ascend to the hut from the Schwarzsee station (2583m), reached via the lift system. Familiarize yourself with the first set of fixed ropes that we will use the following night. The walk takes approximately 2½ hours.
Day 5
Ascent of Matterhorn (4 478m) | Hörnli Ridge
We leave the hut in the early morning. The Hörnli Ridge is a long route mainly consisting in mixed rock tiers interspersed with steeper sections equipped with fixed ropes. The final section is a 40º snow slope. Descent is via the same route downclimbing and using rappels to reach the hut. We return to Zermatt via the Schwartzsee lift system and continue on to Chamonix. 8-10 hours walking return trip hut-to-hut.
Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 179 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 179 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 17.9€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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