1. Visorando
  2. Switzerland
  3. Valais
  4. Grächen

Valais Day 7: Grachen - Saas-Fee

This walk is part of the trek Trek from Fionay to 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.

Technical sheet
No. 111424
A Grächen walk posted on 06/04/15 by bernardino. Update : 17/05/16
Calculated time Calculated time: 9h00[?]
Distance Distance : 18.33km
Vertical gain Vertical gain : 1568m
Vertical drop Vertical drop : 1374m
Highest point Highest point : 2392m
Lowest point Lowest point : 1623m
Difficult Difficulty : Difficult
Back to starting point Back to starting point : No
Walking Walking
Area Area : Alps
Location Location : Grächen
Starting point Starting point : N 46.195486° / E 7.839675°
Arrival Arrival : N 46.111145° / E 7.929454°
Download : -

Description

From the Grachen Hotel (D), head towards the Tour du Mont Rose trail (D) 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 :
D : km 0 - alt. 1623m
1 : km 0.22 - alt. 1658m
2 : km 2.88 - alt. 2120m
3 : km 3.77 - alt. 2188m
4 : km 9.26 - alt. 2111m
5 : km 14.54 - alt. 2182m
6 : km 16.96 - alt. 1885m
A : km 18.33 - alt. 1810m

Useful 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.

Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.

During the walk or to do/see around

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 ...

Other walks in the area

Walking Tour du Cervin Day 7 : Saint Nicklaus - Gruben
distance 15.64km Vertical gain +1860m Vertical drop -1156m Durée 8h55 Very difficult Very difficult
Starting point Starting point in St. Niklaus - Valais

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

Walking Tour du Cervin Day 6: Europahutte - Gasenreid (then Saint Nicklaus)
distance 15.1km Vertical gain +856m Vertical drop -1997m Durée 6h20 Difficult Difficult
Starting point Starting point in Randa - Valais

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

Walking Tour du Cervin day 8: Gruben - Saint Luc (then Zinal)
distance 20.57km Vertical gain +989m Vertical drop -1138m Durée 8h15 Difficult Difficult
Starting point Starting point in Oberems - Valais

The next stage to this mountain hike with a stop at Saint-Luc then a transfer by postbus to Zinal.

Walking Valais day 6: Gruben - Grachen
distance 17km Vertical gain +1711m Vertical drop -1872m Durée 8h55 Difficult Difficult
Starting point Starting point in Oberems - Valais

Today's stage is divided into three: from Gruben to Jungu by foot, Jungu to Saint-Niklaus by cable car and Saint-Niklaus to Grachen by coach.

Walking Tour du Cervin day 9: Villa Evolène (then Arolla)
distance 26.12km Vertical gain +2156m Vertical drop -1798m Durée 12h35 Very difficult Very difficult
Starting point Starting point in Ayer - Valais

A long stage through two passes however, shortened by the cable car link in Zinal and the coach transfer between Villa Evolène and Arolla.

Warning: Taking into account the cable car transport, the positive altitude isn't 2156 m as indicated but only 1380 m.

Walking Valais Day 5: Bella Tola hut - Gruben
distance 10.29km Vertical gain +508m Vertical drop -1021m Durée 4h10 Average Average
Starting point Starting point in Saint Luc - Valais

First phase in the Saint-Luc skiing area before heading along the Tour de Cervin trail and completing the stage at Gruben.

Walking Tour du Cervin Jay 5: Zermatt - Europahutte
distance 16.78km Vertical gain +1491m Vertical drop -822m Durée 8h20 Average Average
Starting point Starting point in Zermatt - Valais

An easy climb reaching part of Zermatt ski slopes, extending to an uphill-downhill balcony trail leading to the famous Europahutte (Hut).

Watch out: The Himalayan footbridge just before Europahutte is currently out of service. You'll need to head down to Randa valley along the second blue marked trail on the map before heading back up to the hut (allow for 2 extra hours).

Walking Riederhorn circular walk
Riederhorn circular walk
distance 12.73km Vertical gain +862m Vertical drop -854m Durée 5h40 Average Average
Starting point Starting point in Bitsch - Valais

A circular walk from a small parking area on the road named Fure (Marked Fure on Swiss map 3324T) which is above Ried-Morel. It takes a higher path above the Massaweg towards Stausee Gibidum, climbs to the Villa Cassel and then the top of the Riederhorn. The descent is through the forest. A pleasant and interesting excursion.

For more walks, use our search engine.

The GPS track and description are the property of the author.