It lies on the Swiss side of the Pennine Alps, although its upper basin touches the Italian region of the Aosta Valley.

Slightly above the glacier splitting is the Theodul Pass, crossing the border between Switzerland and Italy, and connecting Zermatt to Breuil-Cervinia.

The Breithorn Plateau area can be easily accessed by several cable cars connecting Zermatt to the Klein Matterhorn and since July 2023 from the Italian Testa Grigia valley station.

This area lies between Testa Grigia (French: Tête grise) (3,479 metres (11,414 ft)) and the Klein Matterhorn, south of and slightly above the Theodul Pass.

Ski lifts connect Trockener Steg, Theodul Pass, Testa Grigia, Klein Matterhorn and Gobba di Rollin.