Hike the Matterhorn

The Matterhorn is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind 14,692 foot peak that rises like a shark’s fin above the town of Zermatt. The Matterhorn trip starts and ends in Zermatt. Knowledge of mountaineering skills, including ice axe arrest, cramponing and roped glacier travel are required. Specific rock climbing skills such as belaying, rappelling and the ability to climb rapidly with hands and feet are also necessary.
On July 14, 1865, the first climbers reached the summit of the Matterhorn but four of the nine men died during the descent. On July 22, 1871, Lucy Walker became the first woman to climb to the top of the Matterhorn. She accomplished this feat while wearing a long, flannel skirt.
More than 3,000 people climb the Matterhorn every year. During the summer months, as many as 150 climbers or more attempt to reach the summit every day. A majority of the climbers abandon their quest for the summit for a variety of reasons, with weather conditions being the most common obstacle. Every year, approximately 1,200 people need to be rescued from the mountain and an average of 15 hikers die attempting to climb the Matterhorn, making it one of the deadliest mountains in the world.