An iconic peak within the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy.

Matterhorn Quick Facts:

  • Also called Cervino in Italian and Cervin in French
  • Reaches a peak of 3,937 feet (1,200 m)


The Matterhorn is a mountain in the Pennine Alps with two distinctive peaks. The highest peak, Swiss summit, is 14,690 feet (4,477.54 m), and the second peak, Italian summit, is 14,686.3 feet (4,476 m) high. The plate tectonics are moving the mountain upwards faster than typical erosion; the mountain is growing.

The Matterhorn has a four sided pyramidal peak with each side facing the four compass points. The east face the Gornergrat ridge in Switzerland, the north face overlooks the Zmutt Valley, the west face views the Dent d’Herens mountain, and the south face overlooks the town of Breuil-Cervinia. Each side or face of the mountain is steep preventing snow and ice from accumulating on the mountain.

Best way to see and experience the Matterhorn

More will follow on the Matterhorn as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.