The Platthorn is a
mountain
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited Summit (topography), summit area, and ...
of the Swiss
Pennine Alps
The Pennine Alps (german: Walliser Alpen, french: Alpes valaisannes, it, Alpi Pennine, la, Alpes Poeninae), also known as the Valais Alps, are a mountain range in the western part of the Alps. They are located in Switzerland (Valais) and Italy ( ...
, located south of
Grächen
Grächen is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district of Visp (district), Visp in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Valais in Switzerland.
The village is situated at an altitude of on a terrace above St. Niklaus in the Ma ...
in the canton of
Valais
Valais ( , , ; frp, Valês; german: Wallis ), more formally the Canton of Valais,; german: Kanton Wallis; in other official Swiss languages outside Valais: it, (Canton) Vallese ; rm, (Chantun) Vallais. is one of the cantons of Switzerland, 26 ...
. It lies north of the
Färichhorn and the
Balfrin
The Balfrin is a mountain of the Swiss Pennine Alps, located north of the Dom in the canton of Valais. It belongs to the Mischabel massif, which lies between the Mattertal and the Saastal.
The northern side of the Balfrin is covered by a glaci ...
, on the range between the
Mattertal
The Matter Valley (German: Mattertal, or sometimes ''Nikolaital'') is located in southwestern Switzerland, south of the Rhone valley in the canton of Valais. The village of Zermatt is the most important settlement of the valley, which is surroun ...
and the
Saastal
The Saastal or the Saas Valley is an alpine valley in the district of Visp, in the eastern part of the Canton of Valais, Switzerland. It is the valley of the river Saaser Vispa. It is separated from the Mattertal to the west by the Mischabel ...
.
Access roads and normal climbing route
The access is from Zermatt. The town is closed for car traffic so you will have to use train.
There are two possible routes from Zermatt. The first is from the train station up the slopes of Wisshorn and then around it at an altitude of 2700 meters. The second is from the center of Zermatt, along the valley of Triftbach. You will pass Trift Alp hotel far above Zermatt. It is at the altitude around 2340 m. From there, continue in the north direction along pleasant meadows and at the altitude of around 2730 meters, you will see the former route on your right side. So from this point, the two routes merge and you are on your second part toward the summit.
This is a simple walk up in the summer time, no special equipment is required. See more in the links below.
References
{{reflist
External links
Platthorn in Mountains for EverybodyPlatthorn on Hikr
Mountains of the Alps
Alpine three-thousanders
Mountains of Valais
Mountains of Switzerland