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. 4098455
Calculated time: 9h45[?] 
Distance : 18.33 km
Vertical gain : 1,568 m
Vertical drop : 1,374 m
Highest point : 2,392 m
Lowest point : 1,623 m 
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Area :
Location : 
Ending point : N 46.111145° / E 7.929454° 
Today's forecast : 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. 1,623 m
1 : km 0.22 - alt. 1,658 m
2 : km 2.88 - alt. 2,120 m
3 : km 3.77 - alt. 2,188 m
4 : km 9.26 - alt. 2,111 m
5 : km 14.54 - alt. 2,182 m
6 : km 16.96 - alt. 1,885 m
A : km 18.33 - alt. 1,810 m
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 ...
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
