Hiking to the Matterhorn: A Birthday Adventure

Certain that the Matterhorn is the most beautiful mountain in the world, Yasuko’s birthday wish was to spend a few days in Zermatt. Our friend Patrick generously offered us his studio, which boasts a stunning view of the majestic peak.

We could have easily spent hours on the studio’s balcony, gazing at the imposing mountain from a distance—but not with Yasuko, of course.

For non-climbers, the closest you can get to the Matterhorn is the Hörnlihütte, the base camp for those attempting to summit the peak. Needless to say, I didn’t have to tell my adventurous darling twice. Her birthday wish quickly turned into a hike, especially with the weather promising a sunny day. We packed our sandwiches and set off…

The Hörnlihütte was renovated a few years ago and now boasts a modern design, offering simple, yet delicious Swiss dishes like, well, Rösti. Every hiker takes the classic photo on the terrace with the Matterhorn in the background. But unlike most, we didn’t stop at just one—we took plenty!

We were a bit anxious about the descent, as some sections are steep and nerve-wracking, with ladders, ropes, and sheer drops of several hundred meters right beside the secured path. But in the end, it was surprisingly manageable—we just made sure not to look down for too long.

On the way down, with the excitement of the hike still fresh, Yasuko casually mentioned her wish for her next birthday. I didn’t even need to ask—it was easy to guess. Her eyes sparkled with the same adventurous spirit, and it was clear that another mountain, another challenge, was already forming in her mind. After all, once you’ve stood so close to the Matterhorn, the idea of another thrilling ascent becomes irresistible.