A guide to the superb 145km trek around the iconic Matterhorn, walking anti-clockwise from Zermatt, with a huge variety of scenery and culture. As the Matterhorn straddles the Swiss / Italian frontier, the trek visits both Switzerland and Italy, each with its own unique traditions, way of life and scenery. The Tour goes over high passes reached by delightful footpaths and through charming alpine villages where life has hardly changed for centuries, providing a precious insight into local life. Not only is the Matterhorn seen from all sides, but there are also superb vantage points for views of many of the other high summits of the region. The Tour of the Matterhorn has been documented only in the last few years but the paths it uses are often ancient ways over passes leading from one valley to another. The tour includes two glacier crossings and usually takes about eight to ten days to complete. This guide includes suggestions for shorter variants as well as information for the ascent of peaks along the way.