The 5 Best Four-Thousanders of the Alps for Beginners
The 5 Best Four-Thousanders for Beginners
The world of four-thousanders is breathtakingly beautiful. Nevertheless, these are not walks in the park. Glaciers, crevasses, seracs, and weather demand respect. Only attempt these peaks with an experienced partner or a mountain guide.
1. Breithorn (4,164 m)
The Breithorn is considered one of the most accessible four-thousanders in the Alps. The very high starting altitude makes the summit ascent relatively short, yet it remains a real glacier tour with the usual dangers (crevasses, weather, altitude).
Brief history: The first ascent of the Breithorn took place in the early 19th century; the summit quickly became a popular acclimatization peak for further Alpine tours.
Our mountain profile: Breithorn – Four-Thousanders Overview
Money-saving tip: Half-fare card + Junior card make access extremely affordable. The Junior card significantly reduces costs for young people – especially for expensive cable cars like the ride to Klein Matterhorn. More about the Junior card.
2. Allalinhorn (4,027 m)
The Allalinhorn is one of the most popular beginner four-thousanders. The Metro Alpin takes you to around 3,500 m; from there, a wide glacier slope leads to the summit. For more experienced rope teams, the Hohlaubgrat offers a worthwhile alternative.
Brief history: The first ascent dates back to the 19th century; with the development of the Saas Valley and modern cable cars, the mountain became a frequently climbed peak.
Our mountain profile: Allalinhorn – Four-Thousanders Overview
Money-saving tip: The Saastal Card (from 1 overnight stay) covers many cable cars. Those arriving without an overnight stay additionally benefit from half-fare card + Junior card. More about the Junior card.
Hohlaubgrat: Beautiful ridge for already experienced high-altitude climbers – only attempt with appropriate experience or a mountain guide.
3. Signalkuppe / Punta Gnifetti (4,554 m)
The Signalkuppe is long but technically moderate. The Capanna Margherita (at the summit) is a unique experience: the highest mountain refuge in Europe.
Brief history: The Signalkuppe was first climbed in the 19th century; the Margherita hut (1893) is historically significant and also served scientific purposes.
Our mountain profile: Signalkuppe – Four-Thousanders Overview
4. Dôme de Neige (4,015 m)
Brief history: First ascent in 1877; the mountain is one of the classic objectives in the Écrins and was part of the early alpine development of the massif.
The Dôme de Neige in the Écrins massif is scenically very impressive. The tour is long and demands respect for glacier and serac dangers. The Dôme is considered the easiest four-thousander in the French Alps - yet it remains long and dangerous!
Our mountain profile: Dôme de Neige des Écrins – Four-Thousanders Overview
5. Bishorn (4,153 m)
The Bishorn is a popular beginner four-thousander: technically manageable, but long and with a potentially crevasse-rich glacier. Early starts (or skiing) reduce the crevasse risk.
Brief history: The first ascent of Bishorn dates back to the 1880s. Worth mentioning is Pointe Burnaby (fore-summit): this was first climbed in 1876 by Elizabeth Burnaby and has borne her name ever since.
Money-saving tip: In Zinal there is a free hiking parking lot, about 200 m before the paid parking lot – practical for access to Cabane de Tracuit and Bishorn.
Our mountain profile: Bishorn – Four-Thousanders Overview
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