The Tour of the Matterhorn - A trekker's guidebook

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Updates
• Reviews
• Further Reading

Zermatt Saga by Cicely Williams (Roten-Verlag, 1989) is an account of Zermatt from the year dot by the wife of the Bishop of the English Church in Zermatt in the 1960s. Mrs Williams spent time in Zermatt since childhood and is clearly in love with the place. Whilst her description of life there in the present day is rather dated, her history is spot on, and the book gives an insight to what can only be described as a bygone age.

How the English made the Alps by Jim Ring (John Murray, 2000) is a broad account of the activities of English mountaineers throughout the Alps. Many first ascents of Alpine peaks were made by local Guides with English clients, and this book is an easy and interesting read.

The High Mountains of the Alps by Helmut Dumler and Willi Burkhardt (Diadem, 1994) is the bible for all those who dream of ascending these giants; the photos alone will provide more than enough inspiration.

Scrambles amongst the Alps by Edward Whymper (National Geographic, 2002) provides the first-hand account of the fateful first ascent of the Matterhorn, as well as many more detailed accounts of climbing during the 1860s.

Ulrich Inderbinen: As old as the century by Heidi Lanz and Liliane De Meester (Roten-Verlag, 1997) tells Ulrich Inderbinen’s story of growing up and becoming a Guide in Zermatt.

Our Alpine Flora by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC, 1989) will fund many hours of research in the evenings as you try to figure out what ‘those flowers’ are.

Le Tour du Cervin is a superb picture book of the trek, in French, by Mario Colonel.

The Trek Atlas (New Holland) is another coffee-table book featuring many treks, worldwide, including the Tour of the Matterhorn.