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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
A Grächen walk posted on 06/04/15 by Tamtraductions. Update : 17/05/16
Calculated time Calculated time: 9h45[?]
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°
Ending point Ending point : 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 ...

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