Monte Rosa is the highest mountain in Switzerland and the second-highest in both the Alps and western Europe. The main summit, known as the Dufourspitze (4,634 m (15,203 ft)), is the culminating point of the Pennine Alps. Although its main peak is located within Switzerland in the southeastern part of the canton of Valais, the Monte Rosa Massif is the second-highest massif in Italy.
The Gorner Glacier descends in gentle slopes on the western side of Monte Rosa and flows towards Zermatt. On the east a 2,400 metre high wall towers above the village of Macugnaga.
Following a long series of attempts beginning in the early nineteenth century Monte Rosa's summit was first reached in 1855 from Zermatt by a party of eight climbers led by three guides.
Each summer a large number of climbers set out from the Monte Rosa Hut on the mountain's west side for the summit via the normal route. Many tourists come each year to Zermatt to see the panorama that extends over the giants of the Swiss Alps from Monte Rosa to the Matterhorn.
Read more about Monte Rosa: Naming, Elevation and Climate, Geographic Setting and Description, Trekking, Huts and Climbing Routes, Timeline
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