Grünhorn, Alpine summit in Valais, Switzerland

The Grünhorn (or Gross Grünhorn) is a 4,043 m summit in the Bernese Alps, on the ridge between the Aletsch Glacier to the west and the Fiescher Glacier to the east. Its ice-free summit rises above the largest glaciated area of Central Europe, with the Ewigschneefeld feeding the Aletsch Glacier about three kilometres south-west at the Konkordiaplatz. The east flank above roughly 3,500 m is largely ice-free and forms a partly near-vertical rock wall.

Mountaineers first reached the summit in 1865 during the era of active Alpine exploration. This peak became part of the documented climbing history of the region.

The name Grünhorn comes from the amphibolite in the summit rock, which contains green hornblende. The mountain stands on the ridge between the Aletsch and Fiescher glaciers, and its ice-free summit is surrounded by the largest glaciated area in Central Europe. The Swiss extreme mountaineer Erhard Loretan died in a fall on the Grünhorn on 28 April 2011, his 52nd birthday.

Climbers start from the Konkordia Hut and cross the Grünegg Glacier before reaching the summit area. Professional guides are recommended for navigating the glacier sections and technical passages.

Climbers can follow different routes depending on the season, with ski ascents possible in spring and demanding glacier skills needed in summer. This seasonal variation significantly changes what equipment and abilities are needed.