4000m peaks

At an imposing 4,634 metres above sea level, the Dufourspitze rises out of the Monte Rosa massif. This is Switzerland’s highest mountain peak.

The origin of its name is a mystery. But one thing is clear: the Dom is the highest Swiss mountain whose base is entirely in Swiss territory.

The Matterhorn: Switzerland’s most famous landmark. 4478 meters high and with its characteristic pyramid-shaped silhouette, this is probably the most photographed mountain in the world. You will be amazed by this majestic peak – whether hiking, skiing or from the comfort of a viewpoint.

Scarcely more than 4,000 metres above sea level, the Lagginhorn overlooks the Valais Alps. Although the ascent also packs a punch, attention should be paid to the challenging descent in particular.

Among the snow-capped twin peaks Pollux and Castor, Pollux is not as high, and also the less challenging of the two. But the summit route really packs a punch.

This physically challenging four-thousander lies in the Valais Alps and consists of two peaks. It was a woman who first climbed its eastern peak!

A very striking and popular four-thousander on the Bern–Valais cantonal border. It can be easily recognised by its peak, which looks a little like a shark’s fin.

A mountain in the Bernese Alps that is relatively rarely climbed, with the Schreckhorn often being favoured instead. The Lauteraargrat is a more popular destination than the Lauteraarhorn.

The Grand Combin de Valsorey is part of the Grand Combin massif, which really lives up to its nickname: the “Himalaya of Switzerland”. That’s because the mountain massif is surrounded by thick glacial layers.

The Gross Grünhorn sits in the Bernese Alps – but belongs to the canton of Valais. This is a multifaceted four-thousander peak with several appealing routes.

The cable car up to Klein Matterhorn will make the ascent to Roccia Nera significantly easier. This peak is seldom climbed for itself, but rather as a way of accessing other climbs.

A popular destination close to Zermatt, suitable for mountaineers and non-mountaineers alike. The cable car makes the way up easier, making the Breithorn one of the easiest four-thousanders to climb.

The second-highest peak in the Bernese Alps is also considered to be the coldest across the entire Alpine region. The highly glaciated Aletschhorn towers over the UNESCO-listed Jungfrau-Aletsch area.

The Liskamm traverse is particularly infamous. As is its western peak, also known as “the man-eater”.

A mountain that looks like it could have been lifted straight out of a picture book: pyramid-shaped and almost completely set apart. The climb up the Weisshorn is one of the Alpine region’s most beautiful, and at the same time one of the most challenging.

This striking four-thousander with an easily recognisable peak is part of the Mischabel group. The Nadelhorn is a comparably simpler four-thousander summit.

As the name of this four-thousander suggests, the Schreckhorn is the Bernese Alps’ most challenging four-thousander (“Schrecken” is the German word for “terror”). Not many are actually scared off by it though – the mountain is climbed pretty regularly.

The Signalkuppe lies on the Swiss–Italian border. This mountain giant is home to Europe’s highest building: the Margherita Hut.

A popular route up the Castor starts at the Klein Matterhorn. The climbs is not as challenging compared with other mountain giants, but is by no means any less beautiful.

The uncrowned queen of the Mischabel group, that sits above the Valais village of Täsch. The climb up to the summit is an experience in itself!

On the Swiss side, the renowned Monte Rosa Hut serves as a starting point for climbs up to the Parrotspitze. This peak can be found in the Monte Rosa massif.

One of the twin Breithorn peaks above Zermatt. A popular venture for less experienced climbers of four-thousanders, easily accessible via the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise upper station.

Although it has strong competition in the form of the neighbouring Matterhorn, for many people the Obel Gabelhorn with its uniform shape is one of the most beautiful mountains in the Alps. But it’s not just its outward appearance that makes it one of a kind, but its climb too.

Zermatt’s Breithorn has the following peaks and points: the Western Breithorn (main summit, 4,164m), the Central Breithorn (4,156m), the Breithorn Saddle (the lowest point of the summit ridge: 4,020m), the Breithorn Twins: Eastern Breithorn (4,138m) and Gendarm (4,106m); Roccia Nera (4,073m).

One of the twin Breithorn peaks above Zermatt. A popular venture for less experienced climbers of four-thousanders, easily accessible via the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise upper station.

The Grand Combin de Grafeneire is part of the Grand Combin massif, which really lives up to its nickname of the “Swiss Himalaya”. That’s because the mountain massif is surrounded by thick glacial layers.

The northernmost peak of the Monte Rosa massif is also the second-highest peak in Switzerland. And visitors often like to return and make the ascent multiple times!

The Hinter Fiescherhorn only rises slightly above the firn line between the three peaks of the Fiescherhorn massif. It has nevertheless earned the right to be recognised as a separate four-thousand-metre peak, and a popular one at that.

The Dürrenhorn lies at one end of the Nadelgrat ridge, and is somewhat hidden away and less popular as a result. The climb is a treacherous one, partly because of an increased risk of rockfall.

This four-thousander gets its name from Joseph Zumstein, who was the first person to climb it. The Zumsteinspitze lies in the middle of the Monte Rosa massif, between Dufourspitze and Signalkuppe.

The Grand Combin de la Tsessette is part of the Grand Combin massif, which really lives up to its nickname: the “Swiss Himalaya”. That’s because the mountain massif is surrounded by thick glacial layers.

From every angle, the Rimpfischhorn presents a different side of itself: some parts glaciered, others steep and rocky. The peak is easily recognisable thanks to its distinctive shape.

The Dent d'Hérens offers one of the most spectacular climbs of a four-thousander. The mountain overlooked by the Matterhorn is part of the Grenzkamm ridge on the Swiss–Italian border.

As part of the three famous peaks, the Mönch is extremely popular, and not just with mountaineers. But the mountain is very challenging and should not be underestimated, no matter how many visitors it has.

Not far from Zermatt sits the largely ice-covered Dent Blanche. It forms one end of the Zinal Valley and offers a great challenge for experienced mountaineers.

The summit ridge of the Alphubel looks more like a hill than a mountain peak. The ascent of this four-thousand-metre peak in the Allalin group is challenging and requires an excellent level of fitness.