Augstmatthorn, Alpine summit in Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.
Augstmatthorn is a mountain summit in the Emmental Alps, in the canton of Bern, rising to about 2,137 meters (7,011 feet). It stands directly above Lake Brienz, and its steep northern face drops sharply toward the lake shore below.
The ibex living on Augstmatthorn today descend from animals reintroduced to the Swiss Alps in the early 20th century, after the species had nearly disappeared from the entire region. The reintroduction relied on animals bred from a surviving population in the Aosta Valley in Italy, from where the first individuals were brought to Switzerland.
The name Augstmatthorn comes from the Augstmatt alp, a high pasture on its slopes that has been used for grazing for generations. Hikers passing through the alp on the way to the top can see how traditional mountain farming still shapes the land today.
The summit can be reached on foot from several starting points around Lake Brienz, and the ascent takes a few hours depending on the chosen route. The terrain is steep in places, so solid hiking boots and layers for changing weather are a good idea.
Augstmatthorn was one of the first places in Switzerland where a reintroduced ibex colony became firmly established after the program began. The colony here is considered one of the most stable in the northern Alps, making ibex sightings on the slopes very common for hikers.
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