Pennine Alps

Part of the Western Alps, the Pennines are perhaps the most spectacular mountain chain in Europe. Located along the border between Southwest Switzerland and Northwest Italy, this compact area boasts ten of the twelve highest summits in the Alps (the other two are part of the Mont Blanc massif). The high peaks of the Pennine Alps include many 4,000 meter peaks and hundreds of peaks over 3,000 meters. The high mountains are separated by long narrow valleys. Most of the climbing routes are on snow, as the rock tends to be loose. Frequently unsettled weather can also contribute to climbing difficulty. 

The history and culture in the Pennines is as enjoyable as the mountains themselves. Most of the high peaks cluster around the Zermatt valley, where the village of Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, is one of the oldest centers of Alpine climbing. Ethnically the area is complex, with various combinations of French, Swiss-German, Italian, and local derivatives of these languages, being spoken from one valley to the next.

West of the Zermatt valley, lower, more remote mountains are prevalent, although at the chain's western extremity, the icy massif of Grand Combin rises to 14,154 feet.

Some of the major peaks of the Pennine Alps include the many high peaks of the Monte Rosa Massif, Dom, Weisshorn, Matterhorn, Dent Blanche, Nadelhorn, and Grand Combin.