Golden Hour at Matterhorn
Valais, Switzerland — Iconic pyramidal peak on the Swiss-Italian border.
Golden hour at Matterhorn varies from 50 minutes in the morning to 50 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 08:07 in January to 08:04 in December. Iconic pyramidal peak on the Swiss-Italian border. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 08:07 | 17:10 | 48m | 48m | 120° ESE | 240° WSW |
| Feb | 07:32 | 17:55 | 42m | 42m | 107° ESE | 253° WSW |
| Mar | 06:42 | 18:34 | 40m | 40m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 06:43 | 20:16 | 40m | 40m | 75° ENE | 285° WNW |
| May | 05:57 | 20:54 | 43m | 43m | 61° ENE | 299° WNW |
| Jun | 05:38 | 21:21 | 46m | 46m | 54° NE | 306° NW |
| Jul | 05:53 | 21:16 | 45m | 45m | 57° ENE | 303° WNW |
| Aug | 06:28 | 20:38 | 41m | 41m | 69° ENE | 291° WNW |
| Sep | 07:07 | 19:40 | 39m | 39m | 85° E | 275° W |
| Oct | 07:46 | 18:43 | 41m | 41m | 101° ESE | 258° WSW |
| Nov | 07:29 | 16:57 | 46m | 46m | 116° ESE | 244° WSW |
| Dec | 08:04 | 16:44 | 50m | 50m | 124° ESE | 236° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Matterhorn
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: May
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
|---|---|
| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
| Jul | |
| Aug | |
| Sep | |
| Oct | |
| Nov | |
| Dec |
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Matterhorn?
- Golden hour at Matterhorn varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 50m and evening 50m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Matterhorn?
- Sunrise ranges from 08:07 in January to 08:04 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Matterhorn?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 124° ESE in winter to 54° NE in summer. Sunset shifts from 236° WSW to 306° NW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Matterhorn?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are May, June, July.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Matterhorn?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 07:27. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Matterhorn?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Matterhorn?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Matterhorn during May, June, July. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Matterhorn good for astrophotography?
- Matterhorn has up to 2 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (May, June, July). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
- Cinque Terre 261 km
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo 364 km
- Lake Bled 497 km
- Plitvice Lakes 630 km
- Amalfi Coast 817 km