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Monte Cervino

Matterhorn

Iconic pyramid peak, Breuil-Cervinia viewpoints, year-round glacier skiing.

Photograph · Monte Cervino

At a glance

Matterhorn facts that matter

Names, makers, dates, and context before the story opens up.

Italian nameMonte Cervino
What it isNature
WhereBreuil-Cervinia, Aosta Valley
Known forIconic pyramid peak, Breuil-Cervinia viewpoints, year-round glacier skiing

The story

What you're looking at

The Matterhorn, or Monte Cervino, is a 4,478-metre Alpine peak above the Valtournenche on the Italian side and Zermatt on the Swiss side. Its isolated pyramidal form has made it central to the history of Alpine mountaineering. Edward Whymper's party made the first recorded summit ascent from Switzerland on 14 July 1865, a climb followed by a fatal descent; a few days later Jean-Antoine Carrel led an Italian rope team to the summit from the Italian side. This is a high-alpine mountain, not an ordinary hike: route conditions, hazards and guide services must always be checked through current local sources.

Verified details

Each statement below is linked to the record or institution that supports it.

The Matterhorn, known in Italian as Monte Cervino, is a 4,478-metre Alpine peak above the Valtournenche on the Italian side and Zermatt on the Swiss side.1,2

The Aosta Valley tourism authority describes the mountain as standing isolated from the rest of the range above the Valtournenche, with its recognisable pyramidal profile.1

The first recorded summit ascent was made from the Swiss side on 14 July 1865 by Edward Whymper and his party. Four members of the seven-person party died during the descent.1,2

A few days after the first ascent, an all-Italian rope team led by Jean-Antoine Carrel reached the summit from the Italian side. The standard Italian line follows the Lion ridge.1,2

Sources and citations (2)
  1. Regione autonoma Valle d'AostaMatterhornMatterhorn, the perfect mountainRead source
  2. Zermatt TourismClimbing the Matterhorn from ZermattThe MatterhornRead source

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