Mountains in Valais

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.

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.

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!

From this family-friendly location the gondola railway climbs 500 meters high through the coniferous forest to the Hannigalp – and kids of course delight in the 10 gondolas clad fairy-tale fashion.

A combination of close and distant views: On the one side the longest glacial flow of the Alps, and Rhone Valley with views as far as the Weisshorn and Matterhorn on the other.

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 name Anniviers supposedly stems from the Latin "ad nives" (to the snow). And indeed, the eternal snow of the Valais Alps is not far from here!

The Matterhorn and Switzerland are inseparably linked to each other. The pyramid shaped colossus of a mountain, which is very difficult to climb, is said to be the most-photographed mountain in the world. The Klein-Matterhorn ("Little Matterhorn"), which can be reached via a funicular, lies adjacent to the Matterhorn.

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.

Gondola rail conquers as much as a 840-meter climb to Kreuzboden, and a further 750 meters to the Hohsaas. And naturally far-reaching views over the Saas glacier world couldn’t be better!

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 Valais four-thousanders stand nicely to attention on the southern horizon - And visitors spending the night at the mountain guesthouse by the Torrenthorn Rinderhütte witness the summit world in a very special light.

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.

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!

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.

Ayent-Anzère is famous for its historic water channels (Bisses) - but between the Wildhorn and Rhone Valley many attractive highland hikes beyond the forest border await you too.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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 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 Allalinhorn is part of the Mischabel chain. It is one of the easier four-thousand-metre peaks, making it extremely popular with climbers.

The first person to climb it was an Austrian named Ludwig von Welden. The Ludwigshöhe, the southernmost four-thousander in Switzerland, can be climbed over a range of challenging routes.

Its name comes from the Swiss-German word “Weissmies”, meaning white moss, or to put it another way, snow. It forms the main summit of the Weissmies group close to Saas-Fee.

At first glance, the Stecknadelhorn doesn’t look particularly spectacular. But anyone climbing this mountain in the Mischabel group will also traverse the Nadelgrat ridge – an absolute highlight for any mountain climber.

Although the Strahlhorn is technically on the easier side, it requires an extremely high level of fitness. It sits in the Valais Alps, above Saas-Fee.

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.

The Lenzspitze, also referred to as “Südlenz”, is characterised by an extremely steep ice wall. It is part of the Mischabel group in the Valais Alps.