Switzerland, known for its picturesque landscapes and Alpine charm, boasts some of the highest peaks in the world. These majestic mountains not only attract adventure enthusiasts but also offer breathtaking views of the Swiss countryside. In this article, we'll explore the top 10 highest mountains in Switzerland, each with its unique character and allure.
About Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. It is known for its political neutrality, direct democracy, high standard of living, and scenic beauty. Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. The country is divided into 26 cantons, each with its constitution, legislature, and judiciary.
Switzerland is a member of the United Nations, the European Free Trade Association, the Schengen Area, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It is also home to several international organizations, such as the Red Cross, the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the International Olympic Committee.
Switzerland has a diverse and innovative economy, based on services, banking, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, tourism, and precision engineering. It ranks among the top countries in the world for innovation, competitiveness, quality of life, and human development. Switzerland also has a rich and varied cultural heritage, with influences from its neighboring countries as well as from its history and traditions. Switzerland is famous for its cheese, chocolate, watches, knives and music.
Switzerland is also a land of stunning natural beauty, where you can explore majestic mountains, serene lakes, and charming villages. Whether you are looking for adventure, culture, or relaxation, Switzerland has something to offer for everyone. Here are some of the best ways to experience the nature of Switzerland:
Hike the Alps: The Swiss Alps are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe, with snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and crystal-clear streams. You can choose from hundreds of trails that suit your level of difficulty and interest, ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs. Some of the most popular hiking destinations include Zermatt, Grindelwald, and Interlaken.
Cruise the Lakes: Switzerland has more than 1,500 lakes, many of which are surrounded by picturesque towns and villages. You can enjoy a relaxing cruise on a boat or a ferry, and admire the views of the mountains and the countryside. Some of the most beautiful lakes to visit are Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Zurich.
Visit the National Parks: Switzerland has 19 national parks, where you can discover the diversity of its flora and fauna. You can observe wildlife such as ibexes, chamois, marmots, and eagles, and learn about the history and culture of the regions. Some of the most impressive national parks are Swiss National Park, Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn, and Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve.
Top 10 Highest Mountains in Switzerland
Switzerland is home to some of the highest peaks in Europe, most of them located in the Alps, the largest mountain range on the continent. We will explore the top 10 highest mountains in Switzerland and what makes them so remarkable.
1. Dufourspitze (Monte Rosa)
Height: 4,634 meters (15,203 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
The Dufourspitze is the highest peak of Monte Rosa, a massive mountain range in the Alps that spans the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is also the highest point in Switzerland and the second-highest in Europe, after Mont Blanc. The peak was named after Guillaume-Henri Dufour, a Swiss general and cartographer who led the creation of the first topographical map of Switzerland.
The first ascent of the Dufourspitze was made on August 1, 1855, by a team of eight climbers led by three guides from Zermatt. The climb is challenging and requires technical skills, good physical condition, and careful preparation. The most common route starts from the Monte Rosa Hut and follows the east ridge to the summit. From there, one can enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding glaciers, valleys, and peaks, including the iconic Matterhorn.
2. Nordend
Height: 4,609 meters (15,121 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
Nordend is one of the peaks of the Monte Rosa massif in the Pennine Alps, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is the fourth-highest mountain in the Alps and the second-highest in Switzerland, after Dufourspitze. Nordend was first climbed on 26 August 1861 by a party of eight climbers led by the Swiss guide Johann Jaun, who reached the summit via the north-west ridge. The ascent was considered a remarkable feat of mountaineering at the time, as Nordend was the last major Alpine peak to be conquered.
Today, Nordend is a popular destination for experienced mountaineers, who can choose from several routes to reach the summit. The most common route is the northwest ridge, which follows the same line as the first ascent. The ridge is exposed and requires good skills in rock and ice climbing. Another option is the north-east face, which is steeper and more challenging, but also more direct. The face was first climbed in 1935 by a German team led by Karl Wien. A third possibility is the southeast ridge, which connects Nordend with Dufourspitze. This ridge is long and complex, crossing several subsidiary summits and involving mixed terrain. The ridge was first traversed in 1899 by a British party led by James Eccles. Nordend offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and valleys, as well as a sense of achievement for those who reach its summit.
3. Lyskamm
Height: 4,533 meters (14,872 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
Lyskamm is a mountain in the Pennine Alps, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is part of the Monte Rosa massif and has two distinct summits, the higher west summit (4,527 m) and the lower east summit (4,523 m). The name Lyskamm derives from the German word "Lys," meaning "glacier," and the Latin word "cammum," meaning "ridge." Lyskamm is known for its long and steep north face, which is often covered by snow and ice. The south face is less steep and more rocky but also offers some challenging routes.
Lyskamm was first climbed in 1861 by a party led by J.F. Hardy, who reached the west summit via the east ridge. The first ascent of the east summit was made in 1864 by a party led by Leslie Stephen, who traversed the whole ridge from west to east. Lyskamm is a popular destination for mountaineers, but also a dangerous one, as it is prone to avalanches and cornice collapses. The most common routes are the traverse of the ridge from east to west or vice versa, and the ascent of the north face from the Lys Glacier. Both routes require good skills and equipment, as well as favorable weather conditions.
4. Täschhorn
Height: 4,491 meters (14,734 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
Täschhorn is a mountain in the Pennine Alps in Switzerland, located between the valleys of Zermatt and Saas. It is the tenth-highest peak in the Alps and one of the 48 Swiss peaks above 4,000 meters. Täschhorn is part of the Mischabel massif, which also includes the Dom, the Lenzspitze, and the Nadelhorn.
The first ascent of Täschhorn was made on 30 July 1862 by John Llewelyn Davies and J. W. Hayward with guides Stefan and Johann Zumtaugwald and Peter-Josef Summermatter. They climbed the southwest ridge from the Mischabeljoch, which is still the normal route today.
The north face of Täschhorn is one of the great challenges of alpine mountaineering, first climbed in 1931 by Franz and Toni Schmid. The east face, first climbed in 1879 by Clinton Thomas Dent and party, is also very steep and exposed. Täschhorn offers spectacular views of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and Weisshorn.
5. Matterhorn
Height: 4,478 meters (14,692 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is one of the most iconic and recognizable peaks in the world, with its distinctive pyramidal shape and steep faces. The Matterhorn has a height of 4,478 meters (14,692 ft), making it the sixth-highest summit in Europe and one of the highest in the Alps. The name Matterhorn comes from the German words Matte, meaning "meadow", and Horn, meaning "peak".
The mountain was first climbed in 1865 by a party led by Edward Whymper, who reached the summit after a dramatic ascent that claimed the lives of four of his companions. Since then, the Matterhorn has attracted thousands of mountaineers and tourists, who admire its beauty and challenge its routes. The Matterhorn is also a symbol of Switzerland and its culture, featuring on its coins, stamps, and chocolate bars. The mountain has inspired many artists, writers, and filmmakers, who have depicted its majesty and mystery in various forms of media.
6. Dent Blanche
Height: 4,357 meters (14,295 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
Dent Blanche is a mountain in the Pennine Alps in Switzerland. It is one of the highest peaks in the Alps, reaching an elevation of 4,357 meters above sea level. Dent Blanche is composed of gneiss and granite and has four distinct ridges that converge at the summit.
The mountain was first climbed in 1862 by Thomas Stuart Kennedy, William Wigram, and Johann Kronig, who ascended the south ridge. Dent Blanche offers challenging routes for mountaineers of various skill levels and is also a popular destination for ski touring and ice climbing. The name Dent Blanche means "white tooth" in French, and refers to the snow-covered appearance of the peak.
7. Grand Combin de Grafeneire
Height: 4,314 meters (14,154 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
The Grand Combin de Grafeneire is a mountain in the Pennine Alps in Switzerland. It is the highest peak of the Grand Combin massif, which lies between the Val d'Entremont and the Val de Bagnes. The Grand Combin de Grafeneire has an elevation of 4,314 meters (14,154 feet) and is one of the most prominent mountains in the Alps. It is also one of the most challenging and rewarding climbs in the region, offering spectacular views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and other peaks.
The Grand Combin de Grafeneire was first ascended in 1859 by Charles Sainte-Claire Deville, Daniel Balleys, and Basile Dorsaz. The normal route to the summit follows the southwest ridge from the Plateau du Couloir, which can be reached from either the Cabane de Panossière or the Cabane du Valsorey. The climb involves crossing several crevasses and steep snow slopes, as well as some rock scrambling near the top. The Grand Combin de Grafeneire is a classic alpine adventure that requires good fitness, experience, and equipment.
8. Finsteraarhorn
Height: 4,274 meters (14,022 feet) | Range: Bernese Alps
The Finsteraarhorn is the highest mountain in the Bernese Alps, located in Switzerland. It is also the highest point in the canton of Bern and the third-highest peak in the Alps, after Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa. The Finsteraarhorn was first climbed in 1812 by three Swiss guides, accompanied by two Englishmen, Hugi and Wills. The ascent was considered a remarkable feat of alpinism at the time, as the mountain was surrounded by glaciers and had a reputation for being inaccessible and dangerous.
The Finsteraarhorn is part of the Aletsch region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the largest glacier system in the Alps. The mountain offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, valleys, and lakes, as well as a challenging climb for experienced mountaineers. The Finsteraarhorn has several routes of varying difficulty, ranging from the normal route on the northwest ridge to the more technical southeast face. The Finsteraarhorn is a majestic and impressive mountain that deserves respect and admiration from anyone who visits it.
9. Zinalrothorn
Height: 4,221 meters (13,848 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
Zinalrothorn is a mountain in the Pennine Alps in Switzerland. Its name comes from the village of Zinal lying on the north side and from the German word Rothorn which means Red Peak. When it was first climbed in 1864, the mountain was known locally as Moming. Zinalrothorn is one of the high summits separating the Matter Valley on the east and the Val d'Anniviers on the west.
The summit of Zinalrothorn is a sharp pointed horn that is surrounded by three ridges: the north-east ridge is named Rothorngrat, the south-west ridge is named Trifthorngrat and the north-west ridge is named Mominggrat. The Rothorngrat leads to the Ober Gabelhorn while the Trifthorngrat leads to the Trifthorn and then to the Dent Blanche. The Mominggrat separates two glaciers: the Zinal Glacier on the north and the Moming Glacier on the south.
10. Alphubel
Height: 4,206 meters (13,799 feet) | Range: Pennine Alps
Alphubel is a mountain in the Swiss Alps, part of the Pennine Alps. It is located between the valleys of Zermatt and Saas Fee and is the fourth-highest peak of the Mischabel range. Alphubel has a distinctive shape, with a large flat summit plateau surrounded by steep slopes.
The mountain was first climbed in 1860 by Leslie Stephen, T.W. Hinchliff, and their guides Melchior Anderegg and Peter Perren. Since then, several routes have been established on its flanks and ridges, offering different levels of difficulty and exposure. Alphubel is a popular destination for mountaineers, especially in summer when the snow conditions are more favorable.
Wrapping Up
Switzerland's highest mountains are not only a testament to the country's stunning natural beauty but also provide a playground for mountaineers and nature enthusiasts. Whether you're an experienced climber seeking a challenging ascent or a casual hiker looking to soak in breathtaking vistas, these top 10 highest mountains in Switzerland offer a diverse range of experiences amid the splendor of the Alps.
See more video: The Matterhorn // The Most Recognizable Mountain in the World