Schwarzhorn
The Schwarzhorn forms part of the Monte Rosa massif. The black rocky outcrop presents a dramatic contrast to the white expanses around, yet rises only about 50 m above the ice.
Height
4,321 m
First ascent
18 August 1873
First climbed by
Marco Maglionini, Albert de Rothschild, Eduard Cupelin, Peter Knubel, Nikolaus Knubel
Tips in the village
- Zermatlantis, the Matterhorn Museum: reliefs and geological maps of the Monte Rosa massif
Tips for visitors
- Gornergrat: observation platform with view of the Monte Rosa massif
Tips for hikers
- Gornergrat: Aussichtsweg trail - Gornergrat - Rotenboden
Schwarzhorn: tips for mountaineers
- Mountain guide necessary
- Depending on fitness levels, suitable for single or multiple ascents in the Monte Rosa massif
- Multi-day trip
- Medium difficulty
Black, easily recognisable outcrop
The Schwarzhorn, or Corno Nero, located to the south of the Ludwigsspitze, was the last peak of the Monte Rosa massif to be conquered. Like the Balmenhorn, it belongs to the extended list of 4,000-metre peaks. It rises only 50 metres above the surrounding ice, but the rocky outcrop is black and easily recognised. No fewer than 12 summits in the Alps bear the name Schwarzhorn, and while the Schwarzhorn in the Monte Rosa massif is the highest, it is by no means the best known. It can be reached on skis in winter and spring.
The Schwarzhorn is located between the Colle Vincent and the Colle Zurbriggen, not far from the Balmenhorn. The southern side of the Schwarzhorn is a dark, steep rock face.
The Monte Rosa massif has about ten peaks higher than 4,000 m: Dufourspitze, Grenzgipfel, Ludwigshöhe, Nordend, Parrotspitze, Signalkuppe, Vincent Pyramid, Zumsteinspitze and the Schwarzhorn.
Origin of name
The rocky summit appears black compared with the neighbouring peaks.