The Breithorn

East of the Matterhorn, a broad barrier of snow closes off the head of the Valtournenche and the Ayas valley. This is the Breithorn. Its main summit, at the western end, reaches 4,164 metres. The border with Switzerland runs along its crest.

The broad horn

In German, Breithorn means ‘broad horn’. The name describes the mountain well as seen from Zermatt: a long wall rather than a point. On the Italian side you mainly see wide snow slopes.

A first ascent in 1813

The Breithorn was first climbed in 1813 by the Englishman Henry Maynard, with several guides from Chamonix and Zermatt. It was one of the first 4,000-metre peaks in the Alps to be reached.

Often the first 4,000-metre peak

The Breithorn has a reputation as one of the easiest 4,000-metre peaks. The lifts from Breuil-Cervinia go up to Plateau Rosa, at about 3,480 metres. From there, ‘only’ 700 metres of climbing on the glacier remain. But easy does not mean free of danger: the altitude is tiring, there are crevasses, and fog can make you lose your way. You go roped up, ideally with a guide.

Getting there

Cervino S.p.A. – Breuil-Cervinia lifts
Località Bardoney
11021 Breuil-Cervinia (AO)
+39 0166 944 311 · cervinia.it

In fine weather the Breithorn can be seen very clearly from Plateau Rosa and from the ski runs of Breuil-Cervinia. For the climb, the guides of the Matterhorn and the Ayas valley run one-day outings.