Summary: Our favorite day in Switzerland was climbing Breithorn mountain at 13,600 feet with Zermatters. As first-time mountaineers, we chose this hike over others because it was considered the easiest peak to access, and we had no experience with crampons. Although some fitness is required, we found this hike accessible to many, offering breathtaking beauty and just enough proximity to the mountain's edge to get your adrenaline pumping. We highly recommend this thrilling experience.
[This blog is part of a 10-days in Switzerland Trip].
Equipment. Before heading out to our mountaineering adventure, we made sure we had our essential equipment. The day before, we picked up our rented crampons, climbing harness and hiking pole from Zermatters. Just one block up, we rented property boots and purchased gloves and knit caps, both of which we accidentally left at home. In terms of what to wear, we had a beautiful summer day so hiking pants, and three layers (undershirt, vest, rain jacket), kept us warm. Snacks, water, sunglasses, and sun block are also essential items.
Journey to the Summit. At 7:30 a.m., we met our guide at the initial lift. It's important to note that the Zermatters fee does not cover the cost of lift tickets to the summit. The trip involves a series of cable cars and takes approximately 45 minutes each way. The experience of soaring above the snowy peaks is truly remarkable on its own.
Mountaineering start. Our skilled guide helped us get all of our equipment on once we arrived on the last lift. From there, all tethered together, we made our way at a gentle pace due to the elevation and desire to stay fresh before we hit the climb.
Break then Climb. Just before hitting the tougher stretch of the climb, the group took a break for water and a quick snack. We don't have any photos from the steep portion of the trek but that's because much of the time is spent concentrating on your steps, including getting good footing in the snow and ice. While it was a fun challenge, and some moderate level of fitness is required, it should be accessible to most hikers. The ascent is relatively short and our guide kept the pace easy. For first-timers like us, it was nice to practice climbing the snowy mountainside without too much danger or pressure to move quickly.
The Summit. Naturally, the most significant reward is the view from the summit. We'll confess, the narrow path you're allowed to traverse certainly got our hearts racing purely from fear. However, with gentle winds that day, we were able to appreciate the breathtaking views, even with the adrenaline pumping.
Video - Uncut. We tested a new camera for this hike, the Insta 360. Here is an unedited version of the hike using this fun new gadget.
Back down to Zermatt. After we made our way back down the mountain, the guided hike ended. At the cable car area are two touristy things to do: go view Breithorn from an overlook and visit the ice caves down below.
Ice Caves. Visiting the ice caves is included in your lift ticket. Inside, there are naturally formed ice caves as well as man-made ice slides and sculptures.
Frozen faces. Even on a quite day, the wind did leave some pink faces after our hike.
Here are a few of the fun ice scultures.
Dinner in Zermatt. We returned to our AirBnB by mid-afternoon. After cleaning up, resting up, and walking back to central Zermatt, we enjoyed a quiet dinner.
Cost - Is it worth it? This was undoubtedly our most expensive day in Switzerland. Would we repeat it? Without a doubt. It's truly one of those memorable experiences that justify every cent spent. Zermatters ensured everything went smoothly, and we felt extremely secure with our guide, who is also an avalanche rescuer in the area. We highly recommend this experience.
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