Valais Day 7: Grachen - Saas-Fee

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 walk is part of a multi-day hike: Trek from Fionay to Saas-Fee

Technical sheet

111424
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 9h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,593 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 1,404 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,397 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,628 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From the Grachen Hotel (S), head towards the Tour du Mont Rose trail (S) also waymarked White Red White (Blanc Rouge Blanc BRB). Start a steady hike up through the woods parallele to the Hannigalp ski-lift.

You'll reach Hannigalp's upper station (1). The trail goes around the ridge heading south-east then rapidly heads south (2).From here on, the route is pretty straightforward. It's a series of effortless climbs, followed by moderate descents and so on throughout the day.

Signs and waymarkes are present at every crossing, as a matter of fact a great deal of trails coming from the valley join up with the balcony trail.

Cross Schweibbach torrent (3) at high point 2101, and Biderbach torrent(4) at high point 2150 (a small tunnel protects you from the heavy flow of the melting glacier just above your heads).

Once you're above Saas-Grund (5) this will be the last stretch leading to Saas-Fee, and the hotel (6) for your last overnight stay.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,628 m - Grachen
  2. 1 : km 2.88 - alt. 2,123 m - Hannigalp top station
  3. 2 : km 3.77 - alt. 2,187 m - Saas Fee balcony trail
  4. 3 : km 9.26 - alt. 2,107 m - Schweibbach stream
  5. 4 : km 16.96 - alt. 1,891 m - Overlooking Saas Grund
  6. E : km 18.33 - alt. 1,812 m - Saas Fee

Practical information

Lots of water in the torrents coming from the glaciers. While purifying the water isn't necessary, be careful of any gastric problems it could cause.

In the nearby area

Saas-Fee: a world famous resort, just like Zermatt, with spectacular summits.
The next day, before heading to Fionnay, take the time to head up to Mittel Allalin upper station by cable car and snow train and take in the ice mass present in these parts. Allalinhorn (4027m) and Alphubel (4206m) summits are both within reach here ...

Reviews and comments

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.