The tour of the Matterhorn is a superb alpine trek with a huge variety of scenery and culture. As the Matterhorn straddles the Swiss - Italian frontier, the trek visits both countries, each with its own unique traditions, way of life and scenery. The tour goes over high passes reached by delightful footpaths and through charming alpine villages where life has hardly changed for centuries, providing a precious insight into local life. Not only is the Matterhorn seen from all sides, but there are also superb vantage points for views of many of the other high summits of the region. The tour of the Matterhorn is regarded as a relatively 'new' tour as it has been documented only in the last few years. The paths it uses though are generally anything but new - these are often ancient ways over passes leading from one valley to another. The tour includes two glacier crossings and usually takes about eight to ten days to complete. This guide includes suggestions for shorter variants as well as information for the ascent of peaks along the way.