Tour of Matterhorn

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Overview

Tour of Matterhorn: Expert Alpine Circuit Around the Cervin

Published 30 April 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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HikeList Score

Tour of Matterhorn scored 82/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Great Hike

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 94
Balanced challenge 44
Scenery & wildness 85
Varied terrain 89
Accommodation 83
Food & support 94
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 63

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Tour of Matterhorn, also known as the Tour du Cervin, is a 150 km high-alpine loop around the Matterhorn on the Swiss-Italian border. Usually walked in 9-11 days, it suits experienced mountain hikers comfortable with long days, exposed passes, scree, snow and glacier travel. This is one of the more serious Swiss high-alpine hikes: Col Collon and the Theodul Glacier require crampons, an ice axe and ideally a certified mountain guide.

Route Overview

Most hikers start and finish in Zermatt, the car-free resort below the Matterhorn, though the official Zermatt Tourism staging starts at Randa and ends in Zermatt; Arolla is another possible start. The loop can be walked clockwise or anticlockwise and links the Mattertal, Turtmanntal, Val d'Anniviers, Val d'Herens, Valpelline and Aosta Valley. Key places include Gruben, Zinal, Lac de Moiry, Les Haudieres, Arolla, Prarayer, Lago di Place Moulin and Breuil-Cervinia. The return to Zermatt crosses the Theodulpass and Theodul Glacier via Trockener Steg, where optional cable cars may shorten the descent. For comparison, see the Alpine Pass Route, Bernina Trek and Diavolezza Glacier Trail.

Matterhorn History and Alpine Context

The Matterhorn, or Monte Cervino, was first summited on 14 July 1865 by a party led by Edward Whymper. Four of the seven climbers died on the descent when a rope broke, making the ascent one of mountaineering’s most famous tragedies. The valleys around the peak were long-established trade and herding routes between Valais and the Italian Aosta Valley, while Zermatt developed from a farming village into a centre of Alpine mountaineering.

Notable highlights

Matterhorn (Monte Cervino, 4,478 m): The pyramid-shaped peak is the focus of the whole circuit, seen from different Swiss and Italian angles as the route moves through Valais and the Aosta Valley.
Theodulpass (3,301 m): The highest point of the tour and a historic trans-alpine crossing between Switzerland and Italy. The descent involves the Theodul Glacier, so glacier kit and settled conditions matter.
Col Collon: A glaciated pass reached via the Haut Glacier d’Arolla, taking walkers from Switzerland into Italy. Crampons and ideally a guide are recommended here.
Zinal and the Val d’Anniviers: A key Valais stage village in a valley ringed by 4,000 m peaks including the Weisshorn and Dent Blanche.
Europaweg / Europahütte: A high balcony section above the Mattertal, used on some variants, with long suspension bridges and sustained mountain terrain.
Breuil-Cervinia: The Italian resort below the Matterhorn’s south face, marking the Aosta Valley section before the climb back towards the Theodulpass.

Challenges to expect

Expect an expert-level route: around 10,353 m of ascent, repeated high passes, rocky paths, scree, snow and ice. The Augstbordpass, Meidpass, Col de Sorebois, Col de Torrent, Col Collon, Col de Valcournera and Theodulpass all demand mountain fitness and sound judgement. Glacier crossings need equipment and experience. Book huts, guesthouses and hotels ahead, and avoid unstable weather on the high-pass days.

397

Ranked #397 of 974

See the Top 100 →