38 four thousand-metre peaks

38 mountains are gathered here all of which are over 4,000 m. This includes the Matterhorn.

A true paradise for alpinists. The names are familiar: Monte Rosa, Weisshorn, Dom, Täschhorn, Liskamm. But why 38 four thousand-metre peaks? Very simply: Alpinists can reach 38 four thousand-metre peaks from Zermatt. The list includes the famous mountains. With tips for excursions, hikers and alpinists.

The list has 34 rather than 38 entries because the eastern and western summits of Lyskamm count as two four-thousanders, so the mountain only appears once in the list. It's the same with the Breithorn; its three subsidiary peaks also count as four-thousanders.

33 results

The Allalinhorn is regarded as the easiest 4,000-metre peak in the Alps to climb. Recommended nonetheless: a mountain guide.

Allalinhorn

Zermatt

The Allalinhorn is one of the easiest 4,000-metre peaks in the Alps to climb, and also one of the most popular. From the summit, climbers see almost the entire sweep of the Western Alps.

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The Alphubel above Täsch: the Rotgrat ridge (in the foreground) runs almost exactly east to west.

Alphubel

Zermatt

The Alphubel is one of the easier 4,000-metre peaks to climb. However, it requires good levels of fitness and stamina.

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The Balmenhorn is usually tackled along with other peaks of the Monte Rosa massif.

Balmenhorn

Zermatt

The Balmenhorn is located on the Italian side of the Monte Rosa massif. A statue of peace made of scrap from the Second World War stands on the summit.

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The Breithorn is one of the chain of 4,000-metre peaks that flanks the Gorner Glacier.

Breithorn

Zermatt

The Breithorn, near Zermatt, is a heavily glaciated mountain crest with several peaks. Many budding mountaineers choose this for their first 4,000-metre summit.

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The twin 4,000-metre peaks Castor (left) and Pollux.

Castor

Zermatt

Castor and Pollux, the twin 4,000-metre summits, lie in the chain of peaks linking the Breithorn and the Monte Rosa massif. Castor’s summit is on Italian territory.

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The Dent Blanche seen from the east. The mountain has four regular ridges.

Dent Blanche

Zermatt

The Dent Blanche has an almost regular pyramid shape with four ridges. A metal cross marked with the year 1966 stands on the summit.

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The Dent d’Hérens seen from the Schönbiel hut.

Dent d'Hérens

Zermatt

The Dent d’Hérens is not directly visible from Zermatt. One way to see this peak is to walk the beautiful trail from Zermatt to the Schönbiel hut.

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The Dirruhorn is one of the 4,000-metre peaks of the Nadelgrat ridge.

Dirruhorn (Dürrenhorn)

Zermatt

The Dirruhorn (Dürrenhorn) is the last summit of the Nadelgrat ridge. It is located in the same massif as the Mischabel group of mountains, which is home to Switzerland’s highest peaks (Dom, Täschhorn).

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The Dom (double pinnacle, left) is the highest mountain entirely on Swiss territory. On the right, the Täschhorn.

Dom

Zermatt

The Dom is the highest mountain located entirely on Swiss territory. The majestic peak is part of the Mischabel group.

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The Monte Rosa massif has seven peaks; the highest is the Dufourspitze (4,634 m).

Dufourspitze

Zermatt

The Dufourspitze is the highest peak in the Swiss Alps. The summit lies in the Monte Rosa massif, which has about ten 4,000-metre summits, depending on how they are counted. The highest is the Dufourspitze.

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Dunantspitze

Zermatt

The Dunantspitze (4,632 m) lies beside the Dufourspitze. The peak forms part of the Monte Rosa massif, which has about ten summits of more than 4,000 m, depending on counting method. The Dunantspitze (right, black rocky crest beside the summit of the Dufourspitze) in the Monte Rosa massif is Switzerland’s second-highest peak.

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The Felikhorn is barely discernible as a summit. The inconspicuous peak lies beside the Felikjoch, the highest crossing in the Alps.

Felikhorn

Zermatt

The Felikjoch, beside the Felikhorn, is the highest crossing in the Alps. The Felikhorn itself is an inconspicuous peak located just across the border in Italy.

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The Grenzgipfel is one of about ten peaks above 4,000 m in the Monte Rosa massif.

Grenzgipfel

Zermatt

Grenzgipfel means “Border summit”: this peak marks the highest point on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The mountain is part of the Monte Rosa massif.

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The Hohbärghorn is the third 4,000-metre peak of the Nadelgrat ridge, which consists of the Lenzspitze, Nadelhorn, Stecknadelhorn, Hohbärghorn and Dirruhorn.

Hohbärghorn

Zermatt

This peak belongs to the famous Nadelgrat pinnacle chain, north-west of Switzerland’s highest mountains.

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Because the sun sets behind the Lenzspitze early in the year, the mountain was named after the old word for spring (“Lenz”).

Lenzspitze

Zermatt

The Lenzspitze is a perfect pyramid with sharp edges and steep faces.

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The Liskamm (centre right) is the neighbour of the Monte Rosa massif (left).

Liskamm

Zermatt

The Liskamm is almost 50 m higher than the Matterhorn and has a very long ridge. The mountain is nicknamed the “Man-eater” because in former days many climbers fell to their deaths from the snow cornices along the ridge. Locals attributed the numerous accidents to the forces of darkness.

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The Ludwigshöhe is one of the 4,000-metre peaks of the Monte Rosa massif (second summit from the right).

Ludwigshöhe

Zermatt

The Ludwigshöhe stands on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is one of numerous peaks in the Monte Rosa massif, and the most southerly 4,000-metre summit in Switzerland.

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Matterhorn

Matterhorn

Zermatt

The Matterhorn, the king of mountains, is the most-photographed mountain in the world. It is myth and emblem for Alpinists and photographers alike, as well as Switzerland’s most famous landmark and symbol.

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Depending on how they are counted, the Monte Rosa massif features ten 4000 m peaks and is partly located in Italy.

Monte Rosa massif

Zermatt

The Monte Rosa massif, flanked by glaciers, is the highest mountain in the Swiss Alps. Depending on the method of counting, it has ten peaks higher than 4,000 m, and lies partly in Italy. The Dufourspitze (4,634 m, right, black rocky crest) in the Monte Rosa massif is Switzerland’s highest peak.

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Below the summit of the Nadelhorn (right) there is a hole through the rock (not visible here). The sun shines through it on certain days of the year.

Nadelhorn

Zermatt

The Nadelhorn has an unusual feature: a hole through the rock, just a few metres below the summit. However, it is visible only to mountaineers climbing the neighbouring Dom.

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The Nordend (left) is a distinctive peak rising from the Monte Rosa massif.

Nordend

Zermatt

The Nordend is a neighbouring peak of the Dufourspitze and lies at the northern end of the Monte Rosa massif.

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The Parrotspitze – a prominent peak in the Monte Rosa massif.

Parrotspitze

Zermatt

The Parrotspitze is one of the more prominent summits of the Monte Rosa massif. The mountain shares its name with a peak in Turkey.

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The 4,000-metre twins Castor and Pollux (right).

Pollux

Zermatt

The ascent of Pollux involves a glacier traverse using crampons as well as a rock climb.

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The dramatic pinnacles of the Rimpfischhorn were once mini-volcanoes on the sea bed.

Rimpfischhorn

Zermatt

The Rimpfischhorn is easily recognisable thanks to its distinctive shape. The pinnacles were formed from pillow lava that oozed from the floor of the prehistoric Tethys sea millions of years ago. The rock subsequently eroded to leave these striking pinnacles.

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The Schwarzhorn is one of the outlying peaks of the Monte Rosa massif.

Schwarzhorn

Zermatt

The Schwarzhorn forms part of the Monte Rosa massif. The black rocky outcrop presents a dramatic contrast to the white expanses around, yet rises only about 50 m above the ice.

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The Signalkuppe is home to Europe’s highest-altitude building: the Capanna Regina Margherita.

Signalkuppe

Zermatt

The Signalkuppe is the mountain in the Monte Rosa massif that is home to the most famous and highest mountain refuge in Europe, the Capanna Regina Margherita.

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The Steckhadelhorn lies between the Nadelhorn and the Hohbärghorn.

Stecknadelhorn

Zermatt

The Stecknadelhorn is a small elevation on the Nadelgrat ridge, but because of its altitude of 4,241 m it is considered a 4,000-metre peak in its own right. An ascent can be incorporated in a crossing of the Nadelgrat ridge, depending on climbers’ physical condition.

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The Strahlhorn (left) is heavily glaciated. On the right, the Adlerhorn.

Strahlhorn

Zermatt

The Strahlhorn is the most southerly 4,000-metre peak around Saas-Fee. It is rarely climbed. The glacier ascent to the summit reveals magnificent panoramic views.

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The Täschhorn (in background, with Teufelsgrat ridge) towers 284 m over the Alphubel.

Täschhorn

Zermatt

The Täschhorn is the uncrowned queen of the Mischabel group. Even if the Dom is 55 m higher, the Täschhorn catches the eye with its appealing triangular form. The demanding south-east ridge and Teufelsgrat ridge are legendary.

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Seen from the north, the Vincent Pyramid is the last 4,000-metre peak of the Monte Rosa massif.

Vincent-Pyramide

Zermatt

The Vincent Pyramid is the last mountain of the Monte Rosa massif, so to speak. The first ascent had a surprising motive: the search for gold.

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The triangular shape of the Weisshorn is fascinating.

Weisshorn

Zermatt

The Weisshorn is the secret star among the 4,000-metre peaks around Zermatt. It boasts a pleasing, symmetrical triangular shape; for mountaineers, it offers a thrilling challenge.

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Like pointed teeth: the Zinalrothorn (left) and Weisshorn (right) in summer.

Zinalrothorn

Zermatt

The summit of the Zinalrothorn appears to lean to one side and so is unmistakable. The ascent via the Rothorngrat ridge is regarded as one of the finest rock climbs in the Zermatt region.

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The Zumsteinspitze was the site of pioneering topographical exploration.

Zumsteinspitze

Zermatt

The Zumsteinspitze was the first summit of the Monte Rosa massif to be climbed. Its name comes from the topographer Joseph Zumstein, who explored the peak with other scientists.

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