Hörnli Hut: A Night on the Matterhorn

From the village, the Matterhorn is a postcard. From the Hörnli Hut, it’s a wall rising straight up into the sky before your eyes. This two-day tour—without any summit ambitions—is your ticket there, designed for two to four people. **Day 1: Via the Hörnli Trail to the Hut** We meet in Zermatt in the morning and take the cable car to Schwarzsee at 2,583 meters. From there, the Hörnli Trail winds its way up the southeast flank in switchbacks: steep, stony, and secured with chains and ropes higher up. With every step, the east face looms larger. Along the way, you’ll learn how two continental plates formed this mountain, what went wrong during the first ascent in July 1865, and why four men didn’t survive the descent. By early afternoon, we reach the hut at 3,260 meters. Enjoy tea on the terrace with views of the Weisshorn and Dent Blanche, followed by dinner with the rope teams. Quiet descends at nine, as most have big plans for the next day. Approx. 3.5 km, 700 meters elevation gain, 2.5 to 3 hours. **Day 2: Lights and the North Face** The house stirs between three and four in the morning. If you like, step outside into the cold and watch as headlamps slowly ascend the Hörnligrat. Then you can happily crawl back into bed. After breakfast, we descend via the north side, passing the north face of the Matterhorn—one of the three great north faces of the Alps. We cross alpine meadows down to Furi and take the train back to the village. If your legs still have strength, you can hike via the old hamlet of Zmutt to Zermatt at no extra cost. To Furi: approx. 11 km and 1,400 meters descent, 4 to 5 hours. Via Zmutt: approx. 14 km, 5 to 6 hours. **Requirements** Challenging mountain hike with steep, stony, and partly exposed sections, secured in the upper part. Sure-footedness and a head for heights are essential—no climbing required. If you can comfortably manage day hikes with around 1,000 meters of elevation gain, you’re good to go. The long descent is the tougher part, and the altitude might make the night feel shorter. Not entirely comfortable with heights? Then beAnywhere’s altitude training is a better starting point. **All-inclusive** Cable cars, overnight stay with half-board, and hut reservations are included. You just need to bring good shoes and your own sleeping bag liner. Travelling solo? The tour is also available privately. For two, a double room with a private shower can be booked if available. Details at beanywhere.ch. **Your Guide** Falko Burghausen from beAnywhere is a trainee mountain hiking guide, Swiss Athletics Trailrunning Instructor, and internationally awarded landscape photographer. The camera comes along, and edited photos of you are included.