Gärstenhörner, Mountain in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland

The Gärstenhörner is a north–south chain of three summits on the border between the cantons of Bern and Valais, in the Bernese Alps. From north to south they are the Hinter Gärstenhorn (3,173 m), the Mittler Gärstenhorn (3,183 m) and the Vorder Gärstenhorn (3,166 m). The crest carries the watershed between the North Sea and the Mediterranean: the Rhone Glacier lies to its east, the Aar to its west.

The massif formed through tectonic processes during the Alpine orogeny millions of years ago. The summits began to be explored and documented as climbing routes by mountaineers starting in the 19th century.

The Gärstenhörner sit on the watershed between the North Sea and the Mediterranean: the Rhone Glacier drains east of the ridge, the Aar, a Rhine tributary, west of it. The three summits are named Hinder, Mittler and Vorder Gärstenhorn, ordered north to south along the Bern–Valais border.

Only experienced climbers with specialized equipment should attempt these summits. Good weather and careful planning are essential, as the routes are exposed and subject to hazardous conditions.

The massif comprises three separate peaks at different elevations, each with its own name and character. This arrangement makes it an appealing objective for climbers seeking multiple summits in a single outing.