Saas Almagell walks

Balcony stage above the Saastal. Hike with a brief description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

You will return to Almageller Alp via the Almagellerhorn adventure trail, which is marked with ladders, steps and a suspension bridge. The trail returns to the Saas Valley and remains at almost the same altitude until Kreuzboden. From this balcony, you can admire the Mischabel massif and the resort of Saas Fee. Overlooking the Saastal and at the foot of the Fletschorn, you will walk through old pastures. You will pass through several Walser hamlets before arriving in Gspon.

A long balcony stage allowing you to climb up the Saas Fée valley, dominating it by about 500m and sometimes more. A spectacular route passing from one valley floor to another, with the special feature of being able to see the next change in valley floor in the distance.

Passing through the mountain pastures of Piana Ronchelli and del Gabbio, a pleasant trail will take you to the shores of Lago dei Cavalli. After skirting the lake, you will cross the small hamlet of Cheggio. You will discover a few more mountain pastures before returning to civilisation at Antronapiana. This charming village is the lowest point of this tour. You will reach Lago di Antrona and the Albergo Lagopineta. Lago di Antrona is very busy during the day but in the evening, everything returns to calm.

This stage takes you through Switzerland via the Grand Col du Monte Moro, followed by a beautiful descent to Lake Mattmark. Once you reach the lake, take the bus to Saas Fée.

You will walk along the two magnificent lakes of Antrona and Campliccioli. You will follow the Troncone torrent, and the climb to Alpe Saler, Alpe Cingino and Lago di Cingino will require some effort, but it will be well worth it. The setting is stunning, as the lake is located in the centre of a huge cirque. The climb to the Antronapass is pleasant and easy. The pass marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. The long descent to Furggu will take you to Saas Almagell for a well-deserved rest.

During this stage, at Passo di Monte Moro, you cross from Italy (Piedmont) to Switzerland (German-speaking Valais). Hike with a brief description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

After a winding toll road, park at Täschalp. Then, continue climbing to the Täschhütte refuge located at the top of a rocky outcrop. Return via a slightly different route, after enjoying a delicious homemade soup at the refuge.

Due to the closure of the Europaweg trail between Täschalp and Zermatt, we had to modify the original route. Return to Täsch via another trail and, given the long distance to cover, take the shuttle to Zermatt. Short break in this unique town at the foot of the Matterhorn, cable car to Trockener Steg and then walk to the Théodule refuge.

Due to the closure of the large Himalayan footbridge over the Grabengufer scree, it is necessary to take the emergency path down to Tasch and then undertake a remarkable climb to the alpine hamlet of Täschalp, where the Europaweghütte lodge is located.

A new balcony stage at the foot of high summits separating the Zermatt and Saas Fee valleys.

On leaving Zwischbergen, a fairly steep climb under the larch trees will take you to Passo Monscera. From this pass, which marks the border between Switzerland and Italy, you can see the Fletschhorn, the Lagginhorn and the Weissmies and, further to the left, the Pizzo d'Andolla. After passing the charming Rifugio Gattascosa, you will descend to San Bernado along a pleasant path. You will continue through alpine pastures to reach Vallaro and then Il Laghetto.

This final stage will take you from the village of Simplon to the Simplon Pass. Along the way, you will notice two remarkable buildings in this arid landscape: the Alte Spittel and the Barralhaus. Once you reach the Simplon Pass, you can take a short detour to see the Simplon Eagle and the imposing hospice.

Grachen, an important village, dominates the Zermatt valley, which you will be flying over all day. After a gentle climb to Saint-Nicolas on its pedestal, you just need to pass from scree to scree to reach the welcome Refuge d'Europahutte after a long traverse.

So here's the last stage of this itinarary and what a stage! A delightful climb reaching Hannigalp to find the well-known balcony trail overlooking the valley leading to Saas Fee.

This fourteenth and final stage is the longest, but does not present any difficulties. The route from Sankt Niklaus to Zermatt is obvious. It follows the Matter Vispa, the river that flows down from Zermatt, and the rack railway line, which terminates in Zermatt. All the ingredients for a picture-postcard Swiss scene are there: the Matterhorn, glaciers, the torrent, churches with bulbous steeples, the little rack railway and the magnificent car-free village of Zermatt.

Beautiful mountain stage going through a pass by the name of Augstbordpass.