Matternhorn (Cervinia)

Mount Cervino (Matternhorn) is the most iconic peak of the Alps, with its 4478 meters and famous pyramid shape. It sits between Italy and Switzerland, respectively the villages of Cervinia and Zermatt, and offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiast. We headed there for 2 amazing days of riding and camping, read down below our adventure and enjoy the shots!

Summary
Trail in numbers
Highlights
Useful info

Summary

Day 1: Valtournenche

Landscapes:
Fun:
Fitness level:
Technical skills:

Day 2: Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi

Landscapes:
Fun:
Fitness level:
Technical skills:

Trail in numbers

Highlights

Useful info

Table of contents:

Photostory
Maps and Stats

Photostory

It’s been a while since I promised Maria to take her to the Matternhorn. I tried to organize it in the past, but never succeeded because of bad weather or lack of time. This weekend is the one: the forecast is cloudy on saturday but sunday should be just perfect. We decide to go for it, carrying our tent with us and loads of clothes in order to be prepared for whatever weather.

The destination is Cervinia, in Val D’Aosta, which sits on the Italian side of the Matternhorn (Cervino). The mountain town is at 2000 meters above sea level and is the last one in the Valtournenche valley, the westernmost of the gigantic Monte Rosa range. The Matternhorn is one of the tallest peaks of the Alps, reaching 4478 meters of altitude, and it is famous all over the world for its almost perfect, iconic pyramid shape.

Day One – Downhill from Plain Mason to Valtournenche

We get there by noon on Saturday and find out that we are not going to be able to see the peak, at least not today. The weather is overcast, and the dark grey clouds hover just a few hundred meters above us, preventing us from spotting the majestic peaks surrounding us.

There are not many people around, less so if you consider bikers, but we decide to go for it. It might rain but it looks like there won’t be thundersorms. Just to be save, we plan our half-day ride to be a rather easy one: we climb to Plain Mason (2500 mt) using the gondola and then it’s all downhill until our designated campsite, down in the valley, more than 1000 mt below in altitude.

During the ascent to Plain Mason we share the gondola with a group of Downhill riders that are spending the day in the bike park, trying to convince Maria to try the bike park tracks. Of course it is a no-go, but they are all obviously jealous of me being able to go mountain biking with my girlfriend – they all say their respective girlfriends would never even go to the mountains, let alone ride a mountain bike!

selfie with the matternhorn — Selfie with the Matternhorn (in the clouds).

blog034 — Happy, and all geared up for the damp and chilly day.

We begin the descent among the grass fields of Plain Mason, trying some freeride out the tracks when possible:

blog036 — Maria freeriding down the Plain Mason.

The descent to Cervinia is easy and pleasant, and follows a gravel road of moderate steepness that unwinds down a very wild valley, where we spot (and hear) several Marmots and a family of mountain deers.

blog039 — The panorama from Plain Mason.

Once in Cervinia, the steepest part is done. We begin a smooth and mild descent along the river and down the valley. The landscape changes rapidly as we descent below 2000 meters and enter the woods

blog043 — The nice and easy trail along the river takes us from Cervinia to Valtournenche.

Once we arrive at a nice blue lake, the trail merges with an old road and finally with the main road, that takes us to our campsite.

Now we’re already experienced, and in no time our tent is up and running with all the sleeping material inside:

It is good that it took us so short to prepare the tent because we have a committment tonight, which is watching the Euro Cup game Italy vs Germany, a quarter-final match beginning at 9 pm. We struggle to find a decent place from where to watch it, and finally we settle for a modest restaurant that at least has the TV on.

blog046 — This was the best place we found to watch the quarter final.

Unluckily, after 120 painful minutes, Italy loses at the penalty kicks.

Day 2 – Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi

When we wake up after our (cold) night spent in our tent, we are rewarded by a beautiful postcard-like panorama. As forecasted, the weather is amazingly beautiful today, there are no clouds at all and the sky has a deep, vibrant blue tone.

It would be feeling like cheating if we went for a downhill ride also today, so we decide to climb to the Rifugio Orionde’ (Duca degli Abruzzi) which sits at 2810 meters just at the bottom of the Matternhorn. This is their first day of opening, they have cleaned the gravel road from the snow, so nothing can stop us!

We begin our climb around eleven and aim at getting there for lunch. The Cervino is awe-inspiring today,with its sheer rocky cliffs and snow-covered ridges, in sharp contrast with the surrounding green valleys (a couple of thousands meters below!).

blog048 — Maria heading towards the Matternhorn.

blog049 — Grass fields and glacier in the background

The climb is not too steep, almost entirely on a gravel road, but breathing becomes harder as we ascend.

Above 2500 mt the snow starts to show. Maria has a bit of an energy down moment, but she keeps going (cursing in her worst Italian), determined to make it to the hut.

blog053 — Almost arrived, with the Plateau Rosa (3500mt) in the background.

Finally we make it, and even in time for a (late) lunch!

blog054 — From 2800 meters, the view of the valley down below is breath taking.

blog062 — Maria recovering some energy after the effort of the climb.

The Matternhorn is just at rock-throwing distance. It is humbling to be so close to its gigantic slopes! There is also a group of German guys who are setting up their tents to sleep by a small frozen lake at its feet, at this elevation ! Maria gets super excited and goes to talk to them, asking them all the details of the gears and preparation needed to spend a night in such cold conditions. She resolves that we have everything we need already, so no excuses! Our next adventure will be camping at high elevation close to a mountain hut!

After eating and a relaxing siesta (see above), we descend down to Cervinia. The temperature goes from very chilly to very warm in just 20 minutes, it is impressive to notice how much difference elevation can make!