Dom Ascent
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/ Starting point the Dom hut (2'940 m)Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Passion Fotografie -
/ Safely en route with a local mountain guidePhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Alpin Center Zermatt
The Dom, at 4,545 m, is the highest mountain located completely within Switzerland. This majestic mountain is part of the Mischabel group. The starting point of this tour is the Dom Hut at 2,940 m.
It was Canon Berchtold, who gave this peak its name when he undertook the first survey measurements of the Dom and Täschhorn peaks.
During the tour, one goes over strongly cracked glacier sections until the Festijoch. Once here, one makes a short descent to the Hohberggletscher. The trail then makes a large circle below the glacier calving. Since one climbs parallel to the crevices, great care must be taken. Below the summit, one comes to a large drift that one cannot recognise as such from the top. This must absolutely be avoided.
The requirements for this climb are excellent physical fitness, experience in using crampons and good acclimatisation. The climb takes about 6-7 hours from the Dom Hut. Once on the summit, the breath-taking panorama proves worth the effort; many have the feeling of overlooking the entire world. The descent to the Dom Hut lasts about 4 hours. But be careful: The way all the way back to the valley is long.
- Snow tour on the glacier and short rock climbing
- The overall difficulty of the tour is given as “WS” (less difficult)
- A mountain guide is strongly recommended
- Warning: glacier crevasses
Author’s recommendation
We recommend a guided tour with mountain guide who knows well the place.
Further information and mountain guide agency: www.zermatters.ch
Crampons, climbing harnesses and helmets can be rented in different sport shops in the village Zermatt.
Additional information and recommendations are available from the guest information centre at Randa station.
Safety information
- Plan every mountain tour carefully and adapt to participants’ fitness level as well as the weather and season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
- Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible avoid going alone.
- Do not leave the marked routes; do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- It is forbidden to walk on the ski pistes.
- Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
- Take note of the warning signs drawing attention to the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs.
Equipment
We recommend:
- Climbing boots with a profiled rubber sole suitable for use with crampons
- Helmet
- Climbing harness
- Crampons
- Headlamp
- Weatherproof clothing
- Ice axe
- Full-fingered gloves (poss. spare pair of gloves)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Thermos flask (warm tea is available at the hut) or drinking bottle
- Snack (high energy foods such as chocolate, dried fruit etc.)
- Backpack
- Extra layers of clothes
Important! Requirement: very good physical condition, proper altitude acclimatisation, hiking and climbing with crampons
Tips, hints and links
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Ascent from the Dom hut - Dom
(Hiking time for the descente approx. 3 to 4h)
We recommend for this tour to book eventually a mountain guide who knows well the place.
Public transport
By train to Randa: less than 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Randa.Getting there
The drive from Visp to Randa takes about 30–40 min. The road leads through the wild and beautiful Mattertal valley.Parking
There is a public multi-storey car park by the railway station in Randa; simply follow the signs.Questions & answers
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Steffen Rühle
Christoph Mayrhofer
Dieter Posch