If you’ve ever googled “best hikes in Zermatt,” you already know the name. Hörnlihütte — or the Hornli Hut — is the crown jewel of the Zermatt hiking scene, and honestly, it might be one of the most jaw-dropping day hikes in the entire Swiss Alps. Sitting at a staggering 3,260 metres above sea level, this legendary alpine hut is the historic base camp for climbers attempting to summit the Matterhorn. The most iconic, most photographed, most obsessed-over mountain on the planet! But here’s the thing: you absolutely do not need to be a mountaineer to experience it.
The hike to Hornlihütte is a bucket-list adventure that’s completely doable for experienced day hikers, and the reward at the top? Standing directly beneath the Matterhorn, close enough to feel its presence and watch climbers conquer it. If there’s one hike you do in Zermatt — hell, one hike you do in Switzerland this year — make it this one. Find out how to hike from the Zermatt town centre or Schwarzsee to Hörnlihütte and get planning tips for the best day hiking possible.
Hörnlihütte Key Stats
The popular route is to take the cable car from Zermatt to Schwarzee (see the stats below), but for the hardcore hikers, it’s a great challenge to hike from the town to the base of the Matterhorn. Don’t worry, as you can get the cable car back down to save our knees!
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trail Name | Hörnliweg (Trail #27) |
| Total Distance | ~8.5 km (5.3 miles) out-and-back from Schwarzsee |
| Total Ascent | ~725 m (2,380 ft) |
| Lowest Point | Schwarzsee — 2,580 m (8,465 ft) |
| Highest Point | Hörnlihütte — 3,260 m (10,700 ft) |
| Difficulty | Strenuous / Alpine (T4 rating) |
| Estimated Time | 3.5–4 hours (including a stop at the hut) |
| Best Season | Late June through September |
| Best Time of Day | Early morning — aim to start by 9 am |
| Trail Marking | Blue signs and blue-and-white blazes (alpine route) |
When researching Zermatt hikes, I soon discovered this hike on AllTrails, and it ticked all the boxes for ideal day hikes. The original plan was to hike down the Glaciers Trail from Trockener Steg station to Schwarzsee, up to Hörnlihütte, then descend to Zermatt. But with not much ascending and a little uninspiring Glacier Trail, we changed the plan at the last minute. We started in Zermatt town and decided to hike up past Furi up to Schwarzsee, then onto Hörnlihütte. Most people take the cable car straight to Schwarzsee, where the hike is around 3 hours to the hut. Overall, we spent 5 nights in Zermatt and did 4 incredible alpine hikes, so check out the best Zermatt Hikes.
Hike Start: Zermatt
The adventure begins the moment you step out of Zermatt village, and trust us, this town sets the scene perfectly. Picture pedestrianised streets, wooden chalets, and the Matterhorn literally looming behind the town. There’s a picture postcard around most corners. We were in luck with the alpine weather hovering around 20°C, and the clouds looking to lift to unveil the beautiful landscapes. The Hörnlihütte hike starts gently along the river as you head towards the Zermatt Bergbahnen. The main cable car station for Kleine Matterhorn and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is at the southern end of the village — it’s about a 15-minute walk from the train station.
A quick note on tickets: a return ticket to Schwarzsee will run you around CHF 64. If you have a Swiss Half-Fare Card, you’ll cut that in half — well worth looking into if you’re spending more than a couple of days in Switzerland.
Next stop: Schwarzsee
Next hike through little chalet hamlets while steadily climbing towards Furi, another cable car station that heads towards Schwarzsee. The trail ramps up through the forests, providing some glimpses back towards Zermatt far below and offering peaks of the snow-capped Breithorn. For a few hours in the morning, the trees provide some shelter from the early sun before arriving at the alpine meadows. By the time we arrived at Schwarzsee, we had already climbed 1200m to see the fresh hikers straight off the cable car. Another 600m of higher altitude ascending on rocky and steep terrain awaited us.
Schwarzsee is located at 2,580 metres and is the first viewpoint of the Matterhorn… when the clouds aren’t hiding its beauty. There’s a gorgeous little alpine lake with a tiny chapel, and a generic photograph opportunity with the iconic ZERMATT sign right near the station. You’ll also start spotting climbers here, kitted out with helmets, ropes, and all the gear, either heading up towards or coming back down from the Matterhorn. It’s a trail that mountain climbing legends have walked en route to battle with the famous Matterhorn.
The Climb: Schwarzsee to Hörnlihütte
This is where things get properly epic. If the 1200m climb was a warm-up, then the fun is about to begin, as well as the business. The trail starts out relatively gently, winding around Schwarzsee Lake on a broad, well-beaten path. The ground is rocky, but the gradient is easy for now. You’ll quickly find yourself curving uphill on a series of switchbacks. The views at this stage are already ridiculous, and it’s easy to stop every 5 minutes for a photograph. Don’t forget to also look back, and you’ll see glaciers, lakes, and mountain peaks stretching out in every direction along the Zermatt Valley. But the Matterhorn is straight ahead, and it is absolutely dominating the skyline and hard to peel your eyes away from. The path is busy with casual hikers not wearing the correct gear, all the way to seasoned climbers preparing for a bigger challenge above. My only drawback of this hike is the popularity and traffic; some hikers aren’t patient, and it can be hard to pass slower people, too.
Hörnli Ridge
As you gain altitude, the landscape shifts as you approach the Hörnli Ridge. The grassy patches give way to talus slopes and raw, jagged rock. The trail narrows and starts to feel more serious. This is where you’ll begin to encounter the metal platforms, staircases, and safety chains that are bolted into the cliff face. This easy Via Ferrata means you need to keep focus as the danger increases. Don’t stress, as it sounds scarier than it is with many other hikers on the trail. The infrastructure is solid and well-maintained, and as long as you’ve got a decent head for heights, you’ll be just fine. The fixed ropes and chains are there to help, not to scare you off.
The views keep getting better with every step up. To your north, a wall of 4,000-metre peaks stretches across the horizon — the Dent Blanche, the Weisshorn, the Mischabel Range. To the southeast, Monte Rosa and the Breithorn put on an incredible show of peaks and glaciers along the Swiss-Italian border. And straight ahead? The Matterhorn just keeps growing. It’s one of those rare moments in hiking where you genuinely feel like you’re walking towards something mythical.
After about two hours of steady climbing from Schwarzsee, you’ll crest a ridge, and there it is — Hornlihütte, perched on its rocky shelf at 3,260 metres, with the Matterhorn rising almost vertically above it. The scale of it hits you in a way that photos never quite capture. You’re standing at the foot of one of the most famous mountains in history, and the air is thin, the wind is cool, and everything feels a little bit surreal. And it’s time for a well-earned rest and some lunch with a spectacular view.
At Hörnlihütte: Fuel Up and Soak It In
Hornlihütte isn’t just a waypoint — it’s a proper alpine lodge. Built in 1880 and renovated in 2015, it offers accommodation for up to 170 guests, a restaurant, and toilets. For a day hiker, the restaurant is the main draw. Grab a warm meal, a coffee, or a slice of cake, and recharge before the descent. The terrace and restaurant are busy, so prepare to share a bench, and there’s a strict rule for only consuming food and drink from the hut. We found a spot around the back of Hornlihütte to enjoy our lunch with a more direct view of the Matterhorn.
If you’ve got binoculars, this is the place to use them. Early in the morning, you can watch climbers ascending the next part of Hörnli Ridge — the same route that Edward Whymper and his team used for the very first ascent of the Matterhorn back in 1865. This hut has been the launchpad for over 130 years of mountaineering attempts on the world’s most famous peak and is bustling with ambitious climbers. We went the extra bit and touched the base of the Matterhorn next to the helipad. This allowed us to see climbers ascending and descending off the north face.
The Descent: Back to Schwarzsee and Up to Klein Matterhorn
The walk back down to Schwarzsee is the same trail in reverse, and while it’s easier on the legs, don’t underestimate it. Descending rocky, uneven terrain — especially when you’re a bit tired — demands just as much attention as the climb. Take your time, watch your footing on the loose gravel sections, and enjoy the views one last time.
Once you’re near Schwarzsee, it’s worth diverting down to the Schwarzsee lake for a view of the chapel across the still waters. This hike broke my personal best of hiking ascent in a day by the time we reached the cable car station maxxing out at over 1800m climbed! There is now a choice to be made, and we’d highly recommend this one: don’t head straight back to Zermatt. Instead, hop back on the cable car and ride it all the way up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on the Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 metres — the highest cable car station in Europe.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Here’s how it works: from Schwarzsee, take the gondola to Trockener Steg (about 9 minutes), then board the stunning Matterhorn Glacier Ride cable car up to the summit station (another 8 minutes) above the glaciers. The cable cars are modern, panoramic, and incredibly smooth — and the views on the way up are on another level entirely. At the top, you’ll be above the clouds, surrounded by a 360-degree panorama of the Swiss, Italian, and French Alps. There’s a viewing platform, an ice cave called the Glacier Palace carved right into the mountain, and a restaurant if you fancy warming up with something hot. We managed to arrive at the top station for a few quick pics before getting the last cable car down.
If you start the Hörnlihütte from Schwarzsee, then you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the top station views with Briethorn (one of the most accessible 4000m mountaineering climbs) next door. Finally, make your way back down the cable car route through Trockener Steg, Schwarzsee, Furi, and back into Zermatt. The descent by cable car takes around 30–40 minutes in total, and by the time you’re back in the village, you’ll feel like you’ve lived an entire epic adventure in a single day. At Schwarzsee, we were joined in a gondola by an American couple who inspired us. The woman had just climbed Breithorn, and her Husband had literally just climbed the Matterhorn! I was in awe and spoke about the technical difficulty, and traded stories about Nepal with them eagerly. I wish that the Gondola ride could have gone on further, but I had met an aspirational couple.
Hörnlihütte Planning Tips: How to Make This Day Absolutely Perfect
Start early: If you’re starting from Zermatt, then aim to be before 9 am to give time not miss the last cable car down. The crowds are thinnest before 10 am, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Alps during summer.
Check the weather the night before. Alpine weather can shift fast. A clear morning can turn into a whiteout by lunchtime. Use a reliable mountain weather app or check the official Zermatt forecast. If it’s looking sketchy, it’s okay to postpone — this hike deserves a clear day!
Bring clothes, poles and proper footwear. It might be warm in Zermatt village, but at 3,260 metres the temperature drops significantly, especially if there’s wind. Bring a waterproof jacket, a warm mid-layer, and make sure your base layer wicks moisture away from your skin. Proper broken-in hiking boots, approach shoes or trail running shoes are needed for the technical aspects of the Hornli Ridge. Check out my Hiking Gear List for the best shoes and clothes to bring.
Hydrate and snack. The altitude will make you tire faster than you expect. Carry at least 2 litres of water during summer and pack some high-energy snacks — nuts, bars, fruit. You can refuel properly at the hut even if it’s expensive.
Get a Swiss Half-Fare Card. If you’re in Switzerland for more than a day or two, this is a no-brainer. It costs CHF 120 and gives you 50% off trains, buses, and many cable cars for a month. The cable car savings alone will cover a big chunk of that cost.
Hörnlihütte Hiking Summary
The hike to Hörnlihütte is one of those rare experiences that genuinely lives up to the hype. I was fortunate enough to hike this on my 27th birthday, and it was perfect. It’s challenging starting from the town and feels like a real achievement once back at Schwarzee with over 1800m of climbing to a legendary mountain. The scenery is on another level, the history is incredible, and standing at the base of the Matterhorn — actually being there, close enough to touch it — is something you simply cannot replicate. The hike is accessible for most hikers from Schwarzsee to Hörnlihütte, making it the best Zermatt day hike for most people.
Pair that with a ride up to Klein Matterhorn on the way back, and you’ve got yourself one of the most epic hiking days it’s possible to have in the Swiss Alps. So stop reading, start planning, and get yourself to Zermatt. What is your favourite alpine day hike?