Mountains in Valais

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.

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.

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!

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 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 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”.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 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 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: 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Rhone Valley at your feet, 2000 meters below, and impressive views from up here as you gaze down upon the seemingly miniature railway and cars journeying on the motorway. A genuine vantage point at the heart of Valais!

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.