The highest mountain in Switzerland is not the Matterhorn, as manybelieve, but Dufourspitze. This claim is often disputed. Even though the peak, at 4,634 m, towers over all other four-thousanders inSwitzerland, it is only 160 m away in a straight line from the Italianborder. Since the mountain is largely on Italian territory, Dufourspitze’s Swiss origin is repeatedly questioned. However, it is undeniable that Dufourspitze is the second-highest peak in the Alps after Mont Blanc. It is part of the Monte Rosa massif, in the Valais Alps. The impressive rock formation is named after Swiss general and cartographer Guillaume-Henri Dufour, who published the first accurate map of Switzerland in the mid-19th century. Dufour is still considered one of the most famous and influential figures in Swiss history.

There is no ski resort on Dufourspitze, but every year brave hikers conquer the second-highest mountain in the Alps. The starting pointis the legendary Monte Rosa Hut, located at 2,883 m, which can be reached in 2 or 3 hours from the Totenboden railway station via the Gornergrat cable car. From here, hikers embark on the ultimate ski tour to Dufourspitze. This route is only suitable for experienced hikers who do not suffer from vertigo. After the strenuous climb, adventurers are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the valleys of Italy and the numerous four-thousand-meter peaks of the Valais Alps.