*In the midst of 38 4000
Zinalrothorn (4,221 m.a.s.l.)
The Zinalrothorn lies between the Nikolai Valley and the west-facing Val d'Anniviers, only a few kilometres from the Weisshorn and the Dente Blanche. Its distinctive summit extends diagonally into the landscape, and the rock is of very good quality. The Zinalrothorn is a classic mountain for Alpine climbing with a difficulty of Level 3, which means: the climbing routes are not yet perpendicular and the holding points are very large. The Rothorngrat Ridge (South-west Ridge) is regarded as one of the best rock climbs in the Zermatt area.
Origin of the name
The municipality of Zinal, in the Val d'Anniviers, gave the Zinalrothorn its name. Until the advent of Alpine tourism, however, the mountain was called “Moming”, after the Moming glacier, which lies to the north of the Zinalrothorn.
History / Legends
There is hardly any tour report of the Zinalrothorn that does not mention the Binerplatte of the South-west Ridge. It is crossed left upwards by a length of rope over a sloping crevasse and is secured by drill hooks. It is named after the Zermatt mountain guide Joseph Marie Biner, who was killed in an accident, together with a guest, at this location in 1894.
Height | 4,221 m a.s.l. |
First climbed | 22nd August 1864 |
First climbed by | Florence Crawford Grove, Melchior Anderegg, Leslie Stephen, Jakob Anderegg |
Information for hikers
Different hiking tips with a view of the mountain | Hike from Zermatt to the Rothornhütte cabin |
Cabins on the trail / picnic opportunities | Edelweiss, Trift, Rothornhütte cabin |
Information for excursions
Information about the various peaks | You have the best view of the Zinalrothorn from the Sunnegga. |
Short, easy walks or hikes | Sunnegga - Tuftern - Sunnegga |
Information for mountaineers / alpinists
Valley location | Zinal (1,675 m.a.s.l.) |
Starting point | Rothornhütte cabin (3,198 m.a.s.l.) |
Various routes | The three ridges offer good ascents in the medium difficulty range. In addition to the route of the first ascent over the North Ridge, there is also the easier South-east Ridge (III at some locations, otherwise II und I) and the Rothorngrat Ridge (South-west Ridge, IV (short passages), III+). The starting point for the South-east and South-west ridges is the Rothornhütte cabin at an altitude of 3,198 m.a.s.l., and the Mountethütte cabin for the Rothorngrat Ridge at 2,886 m.a.s.l. |
Refreshment areas / mountain cabins | Rothornhütte cabin (3,198 m.a.s.l.) |
| Mountain guides - Experiences / Tips | After the snow ridge, climb the first rock section and then traverse horizontally to the left. From the Eisloch (Ice hole: memorial plaque) always climb the Platten to the left, never in the couloir. Always carry your crampons up to the summit, and do not leave anything underway. |
