Schreckhorn

Mountain Prominent Bernese Alps peak popular with experienced climbers

A 4,000‑metre-plus peak in the Bernese Alps, the Schreckhorn challenges experienced alpinists with glaciated routes; mountaineers and climbers undertake long technical ascents for high‑Alpine exposure and summit views.

Main image

The Schreckhorn is a prominent peak in the Bernese Alps in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, reaching an elevation of 4,078 metres. It is a classic high-Alpine summit with steep ridges and glacier approaches that require technical mountaineering skills.

Climbers tackle the Schreckhorn via glacier routes and exposed ridgelines; the mountain is considered a serious objective in summer alpine conditions and is less frequented than some neighbouring peaks. Views from standard approach routes include the Aletsch and Grindelwald valleys.

The mountain’s summits and ridges were first ascended during the 19th-century period of Alpine exploration and since then it has remained a notable peak in Swiss mountaineering literature. Routes vary in difficulty and usually require roped glacier travel and rock or ice climbing.

The Schreckhorn overlooks the Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen areas in the Bernese Oberland and is approached from valleys that are served by regional transport hubs such as Grindelwald and Wengen.

  • Elevation: Summit elevation is 4,078 metres, making it one of the higher four-thousanders in the Bernese Alps and a objective for experienced alpinists.
Schreckhorn
46.5899, 8.1181

How to Get to Schreckhorn #

To reach the Schreckhorn area, travel to Interlaken (the nearest major town) and take the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) to Grindelwald (about 30-40 minutes by train). Grindelwald is the usual valley base for routes toward the Schreckhorn; from the village you proceed on foot or by mountain transport into the high-alpine approaches (routes to huts and glacier approaches require multi-day alpine travel). By road Interlaken to Grindelwald is roughly 20-25 km.

Tips for Visiting Schreckhorn #

  • Treat the Schreckhorn as a serious alpine objective-at 4,079 m it requires glacier travel, route-finding and technical climbing skills, so go only with a certified mountain guide if you lack high-alpine experience.
  • Plan ascents for mid-summer (typically July-August) when routes are most stable, start very early to avoid afternoon storms and choose hut-to-hut itineraries to break the climb into safe stages.

Best Time to Visit Schreckhorn #

Climb or hike around the Schreckhorn in mid-summer (July-September) when alpine routes and approaches are most likely to be passable.

Alpine summer (climbing/hiking)
July-September · valley ~5-20°C; high alpine near/below 0-5°C
Main season for climbs and high-route approaches when snow is reduced and conditions are more stable, though summit areas remain cold.
Shoulder season
June & October · valley ~0-15°C; high alpine often around/below 0°C
Conditions can be variable with lingering snow and early/late-season storms - suitable only for experienced parties prepared for mixed conditions.
Winter (alpine mountaineering)
November-May · high alpine often well below freezing
Serious, technical alpine conditions with heavy snow and avalanche risk; appropriate only for experienced climbers with winter gear.

Weather & Climate near Schreckhorn #

Climate

Schreckhorn's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -16°C to 2°C. Moderate rainfall (588 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
OctoberJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
-29°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -11°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm), partly cloudy skies, and windy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-15° -11°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
10.5 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.2
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -12°C and lows of -16°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-14°
Feels Like Freezing
-14°C
Temperature
-16° -12°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
9.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is the coldest month with highs of -12°C and lows of -16°C. The wettest month with 61 mm of rain, partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-14°
Feels Like Freezing
-14°C
Temperature
-16° -12°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
9.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-12°
Feels Like Freezing
-12°C
Temperature
-14° -10°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
8.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-10° -6°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
7.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.3
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

37 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-6° -3°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
7.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

40 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-3°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
6.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.4
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

39 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-4° -1°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
7.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

41 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-7° -4°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
8.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-11° -8°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
9.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm), partly cloudy skies, and windy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-14° -9°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
10.2 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Schreckhorn