Mönch

The Mönch, 4,107 metres, is one of the celebrated trio of Bernese Oberland peaks alongside the Eiger and the Jungfrau, its snowy summit forming part of the famous skyline seen from Grindelwald and Interlaken. The name, meaning the monk, places it between those two neighbours in local lore.

Thanks to the Jungfraujoch railway, the highest in Europe, the Mönch is among the most accessible high four-thousanders, and it makes a popular objective for climbers acclimatising in the range before harder peaks. First climbed in 1857, it has been a classic ever since.

The normal route is the south-east, or Nollen, ridge, a classic snow-and-rock arete graded around PD, with sustained exposure along a narrow crest that demands sure movement and a good head for heights; it is a genuine alpine climb, not a scramble. Crampons, ice axe and rope are essential, and the ridge can be busy in good weather. The harder Nollen ice face and the other ridges offer steeper lines for the experienced.

The Mönchsjoch hut, a short walk from the Jungfraujoch station, is the usual base and lets parties make an early alpine start before the day-trippers arrive. The reliable season is June to September, when the ridge is in good condition. Grindelwald and Wengen are the valley resorts, with guides operating from both. The combination of easy rail access and a fine, airy ridge makes the Mönch a favourite classic, and the summit gives an unforgettable view down the Eiger's flanks and across the Aletsch glacier.