Hübschhorn
3,192 m
Switzerland
Also known as ჰიუბშჰორნიAlso known as
ჰიუბშჰორნი
- Elevation
- 3,192 m
- Prominence
- 325 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: T4- (gipfelbuch.ch)
A direct, unsigned but well-marked line (blue paint dots and cairns) from the Simplon Pass (2,006 m) past the Rotelsee and up nearly 1,000 m of scree and boulder fields on the SW flank, finishing along the east ridge over the 3,187 m fore-summit to the main summit cross. About 1,200 m of ascent, 3¼ hours up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 3.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,188 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 3,192 m
- Time Up
- 4h 23m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 48m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Simplon Pass (bus stop Simplon Hospiz), walk NE to the Rotelsee. Leave the marked hiking path there and follow a faint trail that passes under the power pylon above the lake; about 500 m SE of the lake, at 2,190 m, a ramp with trail traces leads up to about 2,230 m. The route then enters the big SW flank heading ESE towards a prominent protruding rock formation at about 2,750 m, passing it on the right. It is marked with blue paint dots, often every few metres, and cairns, but the going is mostly steep scree and boulder fields. Above 2,800 m the angle eases; head east to the rock step at 2,940 m carrying point 3055, then follow the foot of the yellow-red wall on its east side to reach the east ridge at about 3,060 m. The ridge leads to the fore-summit (point 3187, large cairn), sometimes taken for the top. The main summit (3,192 m) with its cross and summit register is under 10 minutes further along an easy, nearly level rocky crest with small ups and downs. Descend the same way, about 2½ hours depending on scree technique.
Start
Simplon Hospiz2,006 m
- PostBus Brig–Domodossola (Simplon Pass line) to the Simplon Hospiz stop.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simplon Hospiz → Hübschhorn | 3.4 | 1,188 | 0 | 4h 23m |
Waypoints
- Station: Simplon Hospiz2,006 m
- Feature: Rotelsee2,030 m
- Shoulder: Hübschhorn fore-summit (point 3187)3,173 m
Large cairn; winter summit
- Summit: Hübschhorn3,192 m
Key Passages
- Leaving the marked path above the Rotelsee
- Long scree and boulder flank (blue dots)
- East side of the yellow-red wall below point 3055
- Easy rocky crest from the fore-summit to the summit cross
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The granite 3,192 m peak rising directly east of the Simplon Pass, reached by a blue-dot-marked T4 route over a long scree flank. One of the most accessible 3,000 m summits in Switzerland, with a close view of Monte Leone and the Fletschhorn group.
The Hübschhorn stands on the eastern side of the Simplon Pass in the Monte Leone group, a granite pyramid between the pass and Monte Leone (3,553 m). Because the pass road and bus reach 2,000 m, the summit is only about 1,200 m above the start, making it one of the quickest 3,000 m summits to reach by public transport in the Swiss Alps.
The normal route is not a signed hiking trail but an unofficial line marked with frequent blue paint dots and cairns. It is not technically difficult, but almost 1,000 m of steep scree and boulder fields make it tiring, and route-finding matters in mist. The reward is a summit cross (erected in 1994) with views over Monte Leone, the Fletschhorn–Weissmies group, the Bernese Alps and down to the Simplon Hospice.
The NW ridge (Arête Belge, about D-) and several couloirs offer harder rock and ski lines.
Climbing Notes
A T4 mountain hike for sure-footed walkers comfortable on loose scree and blocks; no climbing equipment is needed in summer conditions. Allow about 3¼ hours up and 2½ down. Starting at 2,000 m, some walkers notice the altitude on the upper part, so it is a reasonable training peak before bigger objectives.
Go in settled weather: the upper flank is open and exposed to storms, and the route is hard to follow in fog without the blue dots in view. Snow lingers on the upper flank into July in some years and returns from October, when microspikes or crampons and an ice axe may be needed. The Simplon Hospice and pass hotels offer accommodation for an early start.
History
A summit cross was erected on 5 July 1994 by the Stiftung für Gipfelkreuze. No first-ascent details were found.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; ski ascents for experienced ski-mountaineers
- Feb
- Winter; ski touring
- Mar
- Spring ski tours on the SW flank
- Apr
- Spring ski tours
- May
- Transitional snow; not a hiking route yet
- Jun
- Snowfields on the upper flank
- Jul
- Usually snow-free from mid-July; afternoon thunderstorms
- Sep
- Stable weather, clear views
- Oct
- Early snow possible; short days
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Getting There
Brig; Simplon Dorf
Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Geneva (GVA)
- PostBus Brig–Simplon Pass–Domodossola to the Simplon Hospiz stop
- By car: Simplon Pass road (open year-round) from Brig; parking at the pass
Hazards
- Exposure
- Weather