Glacier Hike Zermatt with your first 4000m peak
How long have you been dreaming of climbing your first four-thousander? We look forward to helping you realise this dream: During our 3-day course based out of Zermatt we will prepare you well in some great surroundings, get you acclimatised, then tackle the Breithorn (4164 m) from the Klein Matterhorn cable way.
Tour Details
- Fitness Level: Sporty
- Experience Level: Advanced Beginner
No prior mountaineering experience is needed for this tour, but it is only recommended for experienced hikers who are comfortable with long hiking durations with a backpack. You are an experienced mountain hiker and comfortable with varied terrain. This tour will include passages over hills, rock, ice, water, and crevasses.
Group Tour (4-6 participants)
| CHF 750 per person | |
Private Tour
| 1-3 people | CHF 3000 per group |
| 4-6 people | CHF 750 per person |
To book a private tour please contact us:
| Day | Elevation + | Elevation - | Kilometers | Walking time |
| 1 | 400m | 350m | 7km | approx. 4-5 hours |
| 2 | 750m | 650m | 8km | approx. 7-8 hours |
| 3 | 400m | 400m | 5.5km | approx. 3-4 hours |
Day 1: Hike to the most modern hut in the Alps: the Monte Rosahütte 2883m
After meeting in Zermatt, we'll take the Gornergratbahn to Rotenboden and hike along the wide hiking trail (keep an eye out for the wonderful flora here) to the edge of the Gornergletscher. We cross the glacier and go on to the moraine and follow along the mountain trail. After a good 4.5 hours we come to the wonderfully situated and very modern Monte Rosa hut. The view across to the Matterhorn is simply magnificent!
Day 2: Via the Gornergletscher back to Zermatt
A wonderful glacier hike downhill awaits us after breakfast, with views towards Lyskamm and the mighty Breithorn (our goal for tomorrow...). We'll descend the Gorner glacier all the way to its snout, then continue straight through the fascinating Gorner Gorge to reach the small hamlet of Furi. From here we can take the cable car back to Zermatt. At the hotel we can rejuvenate and prepare ourselves for tomorrow's summit day - the anticipation!
Day 3: The big day: my first four-thousander, the Breithorn 4164m!
The day begins quite leisurely: After breakfast we'll stroll over and take the first cable car to the Klein Matterhorn. We rope up on the glacier and climb comfortably over the Breithorn plateau and the south flank of the mountain to reach the Breithorn's main summit. It normally only takes around 2 hours to reach, but its hard work in the thin air. The reward is great though. Summit joy! The all encompassing summit panorama is an absolute delight. After a long break, some champagne and foie gras we can enjoy the easier descent back to the cable car and hitch a ride back to civilisation. With the option to depart from Zermatt by 2 pm, you might even make it home in time for tea.
| Season | June - September |
| Departures for official tours | See "Closest Bookable Dates" |
| Departures for private tours | Private tours can be booked daily |
| Meeting point | 10:15am Train Station Zermatt |
- Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
- Expenses and 2 overnights for the mountain guide
- Hut reservation
- Your expenses
- 2 nights in bunk room with half-board and tea for the next day
- Snacks
- Rental equipment
- Costs for cable cars
- Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guides share)
Here you see what kind of footwear you need for this tour. If you have bought new boots, we suggest you try them out on an easy hike before undertaking a tour.
Sneakers and simple trekking shoes are NOT allowed. You have to bring solid hiking or mountaineering boots. If they are cramponproof that would be good, but they don’t have to be.
Backpack
- 25-30l
Clothing
- Warm, functional clothing
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Mountaineering or hiking pants
- Sunhat
- Gloves
- Beanie or headband
- Extra underwear and socks
Footwear
- Crampon proof mountaineering boots
The basics
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
- Thermos flask, drink bottle
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- SAC/DAV permit (if you have one)
- GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Technical Equipment
- Harness
- Crampons with anti-snow plates
- Ice axe
- Hiking poles
General Information for Mountaineering School
Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!
OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103
3818 Grindelwald
Switzerland
Trip status for group courses
1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.
Minimum of participants (group tours)
As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.
Cancellation
If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.
Equipment
Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.
Clothing
Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.
Lunch
Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.
Huts
A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.
Safety
Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.
General terms of contract
Our General Terms and Conditions apply.