Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM of MISCHABEL - 3928 SWITZERLAND
The Dom is a mountain of the Pennine Alps, located between Randa and Saas-Fee in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. With a height of 4,545 m it is the seventh highest summit in the Alps, overall.
Based on prominence, it can be regarded as the third highest mountain in the Alps, and the second highest in Switzerland, after Monte Rosa. The Dom is the main summit of the Mischabel group, Mischabelhörner, which is the highest massif lying entirely in Switzerland.
The Dom is noteworthy for its normal route of ascent having the greatest vertical height gain of all the alpine 4000 metre peaks, and none of that route's 3,100 metres of height can be achieved using mechanical means.
Although Dom is a German cognate for dome, it can also mean cathedral and the mountain is named after Canon Berchtold of Sitten cathedral, the first person to survey the vicinity.
The former name Mischabel comes from an ancient German dialect term for pitchfork, as the highest peaks of the massif stand close to each other.
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM: photo 01
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM of MISCHABEL - 3928 SWITZERLAND
It is possible to reach the summit of the Mount Dom starting from Randa in the early morning in spring, summer and autumn. The Mount Dom hut the Dom Hut is closed during the winter period.
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM: photo 02
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM of MISCHABEL - 3928 SWITZERLAND
Access is free but you requires to book the parking space. Better to be equipped with cash and credit cards.
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM: photo 03
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM of MISCHABEL - 3928 SWITZERLAND
The climb to the Mount Dom is long and tiring. We suggest a stop in Randa at the Matterhorn Golf Hotel.
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM: photo 04
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM of MISCHABEL - 3928 SWITZERLAND
Parking places available in the Matterhorn Parking close to the Matterhorn Golf Hotel. Only 12 minutes by train or shuttle service from Zermatt.
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM: photo 05
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM of MISCHABEL - 3928 SWITZERLAND
Climbing the Dom by its normal route is a relatively straightforward, but nevertheless long and somewhat arduous 3,100-metre ascent on foot from the valley, and taking 6 hours to the summit from the Dom Hut. The route is graded as PD- on the French adjectival climbing scale. This route has been described in the mountaineering literature as something of a snow trudge.
The only mechanical means of access is located in the Saas-Fee area, on the east side of the mountain, from which all the routes to the Dom are much harder.
The easiest way to the summit starts from Randa, where there is a railway station 1,407 m served by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.
From Randa a trail leads to the Dom Hut 2,940 m, which also crosses the Europaweg near the Europa Hut. Climbing the mountain requires an overnight stay at the Dom Hut.
The normal route starts from the hut and goes on the Festigletscher glacier towards the Festijoch 3,720 m. It then follows the Hohberggletscher glacier to the summit above the north face.
An alternative route is provided by the Festigrat, which is the Dom's north-western ridge. It goes directly from the Festijoch to the summit, and is preferred by climbers who wish to avoid the long slopes of the north flank. In good conditions it is graded at PD/PD+. However, its upper section can be treacherous in icy conditions, in which case the north flank approach is better.
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM: photo 06
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM of MISCHABEL - 3928 SWITZERLAND
The Mount Dom can be reached in about 5 hours from the Matterhorn Golf Hotel in Randa.
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM: photo 07
Hiking and Adventures MOUNT DOM of MISCHABEL - 3928 SWITZERLAND
Discover the Mount Dom and Zermatt. At the base of the legendary Matterhorn. Where hiking trails begin. Feel the joy that is to face the summits. During your outings, you can stumble upon breath taking sites, for example, when taking the trail to the Riffel lake, only 3km rout, you will be blown away by the amazing view of the Matterhorn being reflected on the lake water.
