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 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 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!

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.

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).

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

Next to the Eiger and the Mönch, in the Bernese Alps, the Jungfrau towers up into the sky. As imposing as the mountain itself is, the view while climbing it is just as impressive.

Not far from Zinal, the striking peak of the Zinalrothorn stretches up into the sky. It is a classic alpine climbing peak, making it popular among mountaineers.

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.

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.

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 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.