Hubschhorn (Hübschhorn, 3192 m) is one of the several great peaks around the Simplon pass (2005 m) and it can be climbed from the Simplon Hospice. It is the closest of all peaks, rising directly above the pass from its southeast side. This page provides information about the route.
[J. S. Bach – Fantasia c-moll BWV 921]
Hubschhorn can be climbed in about 3 hours from the Hospice. The mountain is a true landmark of the area, but you will see no signs about the route to climb this mountain. Therefore, as usual, it may be tricky to pinpoint the exact start of the route.
You will start from the road and continue toward the lake Rotelsee which is directly below the peak. The Hospice will be on your left side, see the map below. From the lake, you will see an electric power tower so continue in this direction. There is a water reservoir which will be on your right side.
From the reservoir continue directly up the mountain, there is a hardly visible path in this part of the route, and a few blue marks on rocks. This will take you to the ridge and you will walk for a while along it, but soon the route goes on the southwest side because of huge rocks. After that, you will generally follow the ridge all the way to the summit, and Simplon pass will be on your left side about 1000 meters below. You can see the ridge clearly on the map.
The summit itself is rather long, extending in the same southwest-northeast direction. You will first come to a big cairn marking the highest point at this end of the summit. On the other end, there is a metal cross.
You will need no special equipment for this mountain whatsoever. I can only suggest having a pair of walking poles. There is no water around.
Regarding accommodation, apart from the Simplon Hospice, I suggest consulting a separate post with this site, with some useful information about renting flats in the valleys around.
About equipment
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My climb to Hubschhorn
For me, Hubschhorn is a part of my Simplon climbing trilogy, together with Wasenhorn and Breithorn. I started my climb at 6:30 am and I was at the summit three hours later. The weather was perfect, totally different from my earlier attempt when I gave up because of rain.
However, there were no people around. Only one person appeared behind me when I was close to the summit.
This was an Italian climber from Domodossola who was telling me about his earlier episode from the nearby Wasenhorn (which he calls Punta Terrarossa, of course), when he broke a leg there. He left soon because his wife was waiting for him at the Pass.
I stayed full 90 minutes on the summit, enjoying the views which I share here with you. Hubschhorn offers better views than any other peak around. Some photos made from Hubschhorn are on the pages of Wasenhorn and Breithorn.
Please leave your comments below, I shall be happy to read them and to answer any question about this mountain.
Paolo says
Finally found the way how to climb this mountain. I climbed today Simplon Pass from Brig and must say that this look just like a begginning. I think I will drive to the pass and climb Hubschhorn around July. Currently there’s still loads of snow there.
Jovo says
Hi Paolo, great to hear from you. Yes, in July the mountain from Simplon side should be without snow. So just follow the description in the text and you will find the route above the lake.
Paolo says
I tried today to climb Hubschhorn. I missed somewhere the part that I should be climbing the path near electrical power tower. I assumed the path will be on the left hand side from the lake(I somehow thought lake is water reservoir – my mistake) So I spend 20 minutes looking for a footpath but eventually I found one that was leading to the correct one. I must say this was a bit exhausting for someone who climbed only Glishorn in his career in Alps. I managed to climb up to 3100 m and then I was quite low on water by this time on it so eventually decided to start descend.
Multiple times I lost the path because the only markings are piles of stone made by other climbers and blue marks. Despite the fact I have not reached the peak I also managed to enjoy nice view just 92 m below. I met only three people and all of them were coming down from the peak. I can’t even imagine climbing it in rain! Also, I recommend to other climbers to get some gloves because you will need to use your hands on ascent and rocks might be sharp. The higher you go, the bigger the rocks are. Also plenty of water is a must as mentioned in the article there’s no water supply along the way. It’s just barren pile of various size of rocks but I spent there around hour just sitting and enjoying the views. Never in myt life I managed to climb above 3000 m. Definitely will try to climb it again once I will get in better shape.
Jovo says
Hi Paolo, great to hear from you and it is a pity you did not manage to get to the summit. But it is better to play safe and you did what you had to do, this was wise.
From your description it seems that you did not follow the route on the middle part because the climb is always a walk up, there are no places with any sort of scramble. This is just for other readers to know. So it appears that you made a shortcut and went up the steep rock instead of going to the right and then behind the rock. So in this part of the route you do not see the Simplon pass, only higher up you are again on the ridge and you can see the pass.
As far as I remember, the rock is steep and dangerous in the part which you probably passed, so it is good that all went well.
Sander says
Thanks for all the great articles on this site!
I’ve climbed the Hubschorn also and had a beautifull view all over the area too.
The hike is not very difficult but the view from the summit is great!
Jovo says
You are right, the views from Hubschorn are breathtaking, I had perfect weather as you see from photos. But this was my second attempt. A few years earlier I gave up because of rain.
Shawn says
Wow, that is sure some serious rocks to climb!
I love the way you write and it makes me wish I could go climb some of these awesome places you write about.
I am getting too old myself to manage the high altitude but I really do love trading about your adventures!
How long have you been climbing?
Shawn>>
Jovo says
Hi Shawn, no you are not too old. See this: last summer I was in the Alps with a friend from Japan who has never tried climbing before. He is 71 now. In one week we were 4 times above 3000 meters. See our story about Bivacco Battaglione Ortles, climbing Monte Vago, Monte Scorluzzo at Stelvio pass, and Monte Breva. As for your question, I have been in this in the past 30 years or so. Thank you for the comment.
James Stanley says
Hi Jvranjes, very nice page, very informative. I am sure that anyone wanting to climb Hubschhorn will benefit from this article! Directions are done very well and easy to follow. Nice photo’s. Look’s like you had a great trip! Keep up the good work! Jim Stanley
Jovo says
Thank you James, kind words always come good. Very grateful.
Matt says
Great description of the mountain and I especially like all of the pictures you included. The views look amazing. I’ve done a fair amount of hiking here in the United States but I would love to get that experience in the Swiss Alps, and I feel your website gave me a virtual experience of your hike. Is this one of your favorite places to climb? Or what is your favorite and where generally would this climb rank?
Jovo says
Hi Matt, thank you for the comment. Hubschhorn at Simplon pass is one of several mountains I climbed there, the others include Wasenhorn Punta Terrarosa and Breithorn at Simplon. There are many beautiful peaks around, I think I am unable to say which one is my favorite.