At 4010m the Lagginhorn only just makes it into the exclusive club of Alpine 4000m peaks, which makes it a good objective for this action packed 2 day course. In good conditions the ascent of the Lagginhorn is a technically quite easy (PD) classic high alpine ascent, with lots of physical, rocky rough walking, sustained easy scrambling & superb panoramic views of the surrounding giants of the Swiss Alps. All from a great base camp at the lovely Weissmies Hut, high above Saas Grund.
This course is suitable for those with really good fitness and mountain walking & scrambling experience and is a great progression for higher or more technical future alpine ascents like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. It can often be combined with some of our other courses or private guiding to make for a longer itinerary and memorable alpine trip….
- 2 and 3 day courses booking now for late summer & early autumn 2025
- Lagginhorn & Matterrhorn training course in Sept 2026
NEW: 3 day Matterhorn training & Lagginhorn course in Sept 2025 & 26
2025 & 2026 Course Dates & Prices
Latest Lagginhorn Conditions & Reports
High on the Lagginhorn, with the neighbouring 4000m peak, the Weissmies, beyond
Climb the Lagginhorn, Featuring…
- Ascents of two fine Swiss alpine peaks including the 4010m Lagginhorn & and 3206m Jeggihorn
- Rocky mountain scrambling & physical high mountain walking in ascent & descent
- Opportunity to try a bit of rock climbing in mountain boots, with some rope work training
- Mountaineering training along the way
- 1 night spent in a lovely Swiss mountain hut. Superb location, hospitable staff, good Swiss mountain food
- Great progression (and acclimatisation) towards climbing other 4000m peaks
- Meet other like minded climbers for a sociable short trip in the high mountains
- An action packed alpine weekend easily done from Geneva Airport & transfer to Chamonix
- Option of returning to Chamonix at the end of the course or catching a train direct to Geneva from eg Martigny station
Priti & Sylvie on the summit of the Lagginhorn, July 2023
Thank you. Besides some sore legs, everything was epic. It was wonderful and so was Gareth, who was very patient with us!
Priti Gautam, Lagginhorn Weekend July 2023
Day 1 – Jeggihorn 3206m and Weissmies Hut 2726m
Our 2 day Lagginhorn course begins in Chamonix, easily reached from Geneva airport via a simple one hour transfer, or you can meet the team directly in Saas Grund if you prefer. Day 1 begins with introductions, a weather brief and equipment check. We can also hire out any alpine mountaineering equipment required out at this stage or mountaineering boots. Please check our alpine mountaineering equipment list in advance and let us know what items you will require.
We then make the drive east along the Rhone Valley, up to Saas Grund and take the fine mountain lift up to Kreuzboden from where a pleasant short easy walk leads us to our base camp at the lovely Weissmies Hut.
The Weissmies Hut 2726m. A great base camp for our Lagginhorn course with the superb eastern side of the Mischabel group beyond.
After a drink, a bit of lunch and kit sort at the hut we head off to climb the Jeggihorn via rough rocky paths and some scrambling. This is an easy and enjoyable mountain walk with some mountaineering training along the way including ropework, moving together (training for the summit day) and a little optional rock climbing in big boots, good future Matterhorn training!
Anna & Ronan on the 3206m summit of the Jegihorn after some scrambling and preparation for the Lagginhorn ascent (behind, centre, in the clouds!)
The Weissmies Hut is a classic Swiss Mountain Refuge. Solid, attractive & hospitable, with good food, great views and the hut’s elevation of 2726m is a reasonable sleeping altitude for the first night spent up high. Dinner is served around 6.30pm and we have an evening briefing and plan for an early pre-dawn breakfast and efficient departure for our summit day the next morning.
Day 2 – Ascent Of The Lagginhorn (4010m)
On summit day a good Swiss mountain hut breakfast is served at around 4am, depending on the time of year, before we set off up the mountain. A rough & rocky path leads up through stony meadows where the classic alpine sensation of being surrounded by the bobbling head lamps of other climbers gives a great pre-dawn atmosphere…
Pre-dawn atmosphere on an ascent of the West Ridge of the Lagginhorn, with the giants of the Mischabel Range above the lights of Saas Fee beyond.
Dawn arrives and there is the feeling of being on a big mountain! Whilst the west ridge of the Lagginhorn is not too difficult, and it’s a very efficient progressive height gain from the hut, there is still a lot of rocky ground to cover, from loose paths to solid rocky scrambling and often snow and icy mixed ground near the summit. This is where your training and mountain walking experience pays off!
The key passage of the West Ridge is a fine short cracked slab started on the left before traversing back right.
The effort of the 1300m ascent is fortunately compensated with great views with the sun rising on the massive East Faces of the Mischabel group just across this remarkable Saastal Valley. Conditions on the ridge vary from completely dry rock in good weather in high summer to significant snowy sections requiring crampons at other / any time of year so this is always a mountaineering ascent not to be underestimated, however it is often climbable in all kinds of different conditions. The descent of the mountain is made by the same route so it’s worth training your legs in advance so they are strong, confident and agile for this 1300m of rough walking and scrambling down.
Andrew & the mighty cross on the summit of the Lagginhorn, with the Mischabel group and suite of 4000ers beyond.
A reasonable momentum up and down the mountain is required to ensure there is plenty of time to catch the last lift down to the valley. The Weissmies Hut is a great place to re-charge with a drink or even classic Swiss mountain rösti before the pleasant easier paths lead onwards to the lift station at Kreuzboden and return journey to Chamonix, or we can drop you off at a train station en route, like Martigny.
Paul back down at the lovely base camp of Weissmies Hut and enjoying a well deserved rösti before the pleasant short walk down to take the Saas Grund lift from Kreuzboden.
In Summary
An action packed 2 day course which provides the opportunity not only to climb one of the classic alpine 4000m peaks but should also give plenty of training, tips and experience along the way as well as just being an enjoyable couple of days in the mountains.
Good conditions on the lovely upper snow field on the Lagginhorn
Required Fitness and Experience Levels
Previous mountain walking and easy scrambling / mountaineering experience is required for this Lagginhorn course. Those who have never scrambled or worn crampons before should investigate our Chamonix Alpine Intro, Mont Blanc Training and Climb the Gran Paradiso courses or arrange some private guiding & mountaineering training prior to the course.
Often easy but always requiring thought, concentration, route finding, movement skills. The west ridge of the Lagginhorn does not have any hard climbing but it does provide useful milage and training for other harder alpine ascents.
Ascents of both peaks involve lots of relatively easy rocky / mixed scrambling and very short somewhat exposed sections so folk should have a reasonable head for heights, although the technical difficulty level is quite low. Sometimes moderately steep snow needs to be negotiated efficiently in descent which is why some basic prior experience with crampons is necessary.
A very good level of fitness & stamina is also required for the 1300m summit climb to above 4000m on the main summit day (up to around 9 hours ‘on the go’). Some mountain walking experience is also required in order to be able to deal effectively with the rough & rocky terrain encountered on both the approaches and climbs themselves.
Anna pleased to be on the summit of the Lagginhorn. Right, how far down is it? Quite a long way…
Suggested Course Progression
A good build up to climbing the Lagginhorn would be completing one or several of our UK or Chamonix based Mont Blanc training weekends.
Other good courses for preparation would be our intro Alpine Course and Climb Gran Paradiso courses. Afterwards, this would all set you up well for Climbing Mont Blanc and as good general training for a future ascent of the Matterhorn.
After that our series of Chamonix mountaineering courses forms a logical progression in the following order; ‘Becoming an Alpinist’ followed by Chamonix private guiding for harder / longer routes & north faces as well as our Climb the Eiger courses.
The Lagginhorn normal route is not a difficult technical ascent (and descent) bit it has lots of rough ground, scrambling and can be harder in snowy / icy conditions. This photo is of the harder South Ridge taken from the summit via the normal route.
When To Climb the Lagginhorn & Other Routes For Private Guiding
Whilst the main season for climbing the Lagginhorn is high summer (late June to September) it is possible to climb the mountain all year round according to weather and conditions. With stable snow conditions In winter and spring, some will make the ascent on skis via the high Hohsaas lift and then West Ridge. Those looking for a quieter and tougher climbing experience may choose to climb in the Autumn when the mountain lifts and huts are all closed (although Weissmies Hut & Saas Grund – Kreuzboden lift stays open until Oct 8th at least). Depending on conditions an ascent at this time may still be possible, using the hut’s ‘winter room’ and indeed this can provide a remote feel & magical mountain journey.
High on the South Ridge of the Lagginhorn, with the North Ridge of the Weissmies beyond.
Please note that these Climb The Lagginhorn courses can often be linked with our other programmes to create a longer programme, or alternatively we can also arrange private guiding before or after this course. Private guiding from the Weissmies Hut also gives an inspiring range of additional options including some or all of the following:
- Lagginhorn Traverse via the South Ridge (AD-)
- Lagginhorn Traverse via the Fletschhorn & North Ridge (AD)
- Rock climbing on the south face of the Jeggihorn eg Alpendurst, Sud Kante and the Jeggigrate
- Traverse of the Schwarzmies (AD) 3184m
- Via Ferratta on the Jeggihorn
Paul on the pleasant easy sunny scrambling on the North Ridge of the Lagginhorn during the fine traverse of the Fletschhorn & Lagginhorn
Equipment
Please refer to our classic alpine mountaineering equipment list for a summer ascent of the Lagginhorn.
Nearing the end of the difficulties on the West Ridge, with the final easy path in sight leading back to the Swiss hut treats of fizzy apple juice and rösti.
Course Dates & Prices
Please check our individual course dates below and visit that page to reserve your place.
2025 Course Price £595.00
What’s included in the Price?
- 2 days mountain guiding with an IFMGA Mountain Guide
- 1 Guide to 3 guests maximum guiding ratio
- Transport during the course from Chamonix to the Swiss Alps & back
- Discounted equipment hire prices if required
- Trip management & booking of mountain huts
What’s not included?
- Dinner, bed and breakfast in the mountain huts, c. 80 CHF Swiss Francs per person per night. Discounted if you are a member of an alpine club.
- The guides dinner bed & breakfast at a discounted rate split between group members. E.g with 3 clients this would be c. 30 Swiss Francs each.
- Chamonix Valley accommodation – please see our Chamonix Accommodation notes. Prices start from camping at C.10 euros per night, Bunkhouse for C.20 euros per night and hotel accommodation from around 50 euros upwards.
- Lunches, drinks and snacks
- The high mountain lift pass to descend from Hohsaas (C.35 Swiss Francs)
- Flights and transfers to Chamonix
- Mountaineering equipment. Check the kit list above
- Insurance suitable for alpine mountaineering in Europe
Booking
Please visit the specific Lagginhorn course dates above to complete a booking form, make a payment and confirm your place.
Early October 2024, Superb Early Autumn Alpine Mountaineering Conditions On The Lagginhorn
A superb sun rise gave way to a very fine early October alpine mountaineering day and ascent of the Lagginhorn via the normal route from the great base camp at the Weissmies Hut.
Magnificent early autumn dawn whilst climbing the Lagginhorn. Tasch / Dom beyond Saas Fee behind.
The rock was mainly dry until about two thirds of the way up and the going was good with a track in the snow above that. More photos and details of the ascent on our early autumn Chamonix and alpine mountaineering conditions round up here:
4 July 2024, Great Conditions Continue – The Lagginhorn 3 Ways
A great combination of extensive snow cover, a hard overnight freeze and generally fine climbing conditions for our ascent of the Lagginhorn normal route, WSW Ridge. We made a fairly rapid (6 hour) round trip from Weissmies Hut, with crampons on from early on, although removed for a short section of rocky ridge lower down.
James enjoying the brilliant snowy early summer style conditions – in July!
Kev and Simon also made the fine traverse over the Fletschorn and another team did the South Ridge, both had good snowy conditions but with much of the rock on the ridges buried in snow, they could be harder to protect than in high summer conditions.
22 June 2024, Superb Early Summer Summit Conditions On The Lagginhorn Normal Route
Well done to our team who made the effort to walk up to Weissmies Hutte in the pouring rain yesterday and they were fully rewarded with a stunning alpine morning with remarkably good snow conditions this morning.
Chen on the summit of the Lagginhorn after an ascent of the normal route from the Weissmies Hutte in superb conditions, June 2024
Snow cover is excellent, pretty much all the way up the classic WSW Ridge route from the Weissmies Hutte & the other peaks in the area like the Weissmies, Fletschorn etc all looked impressively snowy too.
8 June 2024, Snowy Early Summer Conditions On The Lagginhorn Normal Route
The West flank of the Lagginhorn – seen from the webcam at Kreuzboden. Snowy early summer conditions
The Weissmies Hutte is open for the season and reporting already some ascent of the normal route on the Lagginhorn on foot whereas the other nearby 4000m peak, the Weissmies has only been done on skis recently. The snow volume is impressive and a good overnight freeze likely to be required to make for good going in the snow / track.
24 Sept 2023, Late Summer Lagginhorn
Our late summer Lagginhorn weekend had a successful ascent and descent of the normal route on the Lagginhorn up and down the W / SW ridge from the fine base camp at the Weissmies Hut. Nice conditions with dry rock up to above 3500m then hard packed snow for crampons on the last several hundred metres of the ascent and lovely summit snow field. Full report and latest conditions info here:
23 July 2023, Lagginhorn Traverse Via The North Ridge & Fletschhorn
A long but brilliant day for Priti, Sylvie and Gareth combining the new summer route on the ascent of the Fletschhorn, recently equipped with some more bolts by Roberto the gaurdian at Weissmies Hut, with the lovely north ridge of the Lagginhorn and descent of the normal route to create an excellent circuit and days alpine mountaineering.
On the ascent of the Fletschhorn via it’s newer approach option which generally works better once the traditional snow couloir approach has melted out.
Conditions were good with dry rock on the srcrambling sections and still some snow on the descent from the summit of the Lagginhorn and on the glacier linking the Fletschhorn and Lagginhorn.
On the summit of the Fletschhorn 3986m with the north ridge of the Lagginhorn beyond.
19 July 2023, Lagginhorn South Ridge – But Turned Around In The Storm…
James putting on the waterproof trousers – often a good way of making the rain stop…but not today!
The forecast was good…but someone had forgot to tell the weather that…so whilst pre-dawn was starlit, post-dawn saw the onward march of big heavy looking gloomy clouds. That does not look good we thought, and sure enough the storm arrived unannounced by the Meteo, but highly siginificant for us on the lovely but exposed and moderately technical South Ridge. We turned around, which at least provided good down climbing training for the Matterhorn later in the summer season.
We’d also climbed the Sud Kante on the Jeggihorn the day before – again good Matterhorn training and fun climbing in big boots – conditions report and more photos here:
