Trail running

Jatzilicku-Trail

Saas-Almagell

2/6°

Closed

The trail starts with a long climb, on an incline gentle enough to run up to the Antronapass. Some easy scrambling follows, and finally a fast downhill finish. Due to forestry and construction work, the lakeside path is closed on the section Saas-Almagell Webstube to Zermeiggern. The closed section can be bypassed on the other side of the river along the valley road.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

23.66 km

Duration

5:30 h

Description

Starting in Saas-Almagell, the 21-kilometre loop leads over an ancient salt trading (and smuggling) route, and connects two wild Swiss valleys, passing over the Italian border on its way. Switchbacks lead up through larch forest and into the secluded Furggtälli Valley. Heading to the back of the valley, easy running becomes rockier and more technical as you approach the Antronapass, where you cross into Italy and make your way around the Jazzihorn before returning to Switzerland at Jazzilücke. At that point, you’ve gained nearly 1400 metres, now it's time to descend the same distance.

The steep descent to the Ofental eventually levels out and the trail provides a mix of both technical and fast running. Speeding down to the Mattmark dam might be the first time you meet other people on this otherwise remote route. Stride alongside the turquoise water of the lake before descending to Saas-Almagell.

Turn-by-turn directions

From Saas-Almagell, the trail goes along the Saaser Vispe to Zer Meiggeru. At the bridge after the equalisation basin, the trail turns left and leads over the Furggalp and Furgtälli up to the Antronapass. On the border ridge, it goes behind the Stellihorn and Jazzihorn to the Jazzilücke. This is the most dangerous part of the trail. From Jazzilücke, the trail descends through the Ofutal valley to the Mattmark dam. The way back is via the hiking trail past the Eyualp and Zer Meiggeru back to Saas-Almagell.

Start

Saas-Almagell village centre (1672m)

Destination

Saas-Almagell, village centre (1672m)

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Technical information

Altitude

3087m

1672m

Ascent

+1463m

Descent

-1463m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Take the SBB to Visp and change there to the post bus in the direction of Saas-Fee (bus 511). In Saas-Grund change to the PostBus in the direction Saas-Almagell / Mattmark. Get off at the Saas-Almagell Post stop.

Approach

The Saas Valley is easily and comfortably accessible by car from all directions, whether from Switzerland or abroad. From the north, you can reach us via Bern through the Lötschberg car transport. From the east, you can reach us via the Furka Pass or the Furkaverlad. From the south you can reach us via the Simplon Pass or Simplon car transport and from the west you drive via Lausanne along the Rhone Valley to Visp and from there towards Saas-Fee.

From Visp, drive south in the direction of Saas-Fee. At the "Killerhof" roundabout after Stalden, take the second exit towards Saas-Fee. In Saas-Grund turn left after the church towards Saas-Almagell.

Parking

Public car park on the right site after tourist office.

Source

This activity is brought to you by Saas-Fee/Saastal. Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.

Other itineraries

8.04 km 2:15 h Easy

Hikes

Around the Mattmark reservoir in Saastal valley