Mountain bike tours

Saas Valley Trail

Saas-Balen Rundkirche

Saas-Balen

5/11°

Closed

From Saas-Balen, this route takes you into the Saas Valley to the summit of the Mattmark dam, offering a wide variety of difficulty levels, landscapes and nature.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

14.63 km

Duration

2:21 h
Saas-Balen Rundkirche
Mattmark, Saastal
Saastal
Gletscher beim Mattmark Stausee

Description

 On this tour you ride from Saas-Balen through the entire lower Saas Valley up to the Mattmark dam. The varied route is 15 kilometres long and you will cover over 700 metres in altitude. If you still have energy at the dam, you can add the lake circuit after a break in the Mattmark restaurant. The alpine landscape will impress you. 

Our favorites

Our favorite itineraries are part of a selection of the best routes in the region and are proposed by Valais/Wallis Promotion to best meet the expectations of our guests.

Turn-by-turn directions

The mountain bike route starts at the church in Saas-Balen and climbs along the right bank of Visp. Shortly after Saas-Balen, the path turns off to the right and weaves its way through the pastures until "Bidermattu". Pass through the hamlet and follow the path until you reach the river. On the right bank of the river, you'll pass through Saas-Grund, followed by “Zer Briggu” and “Unner de Bodme”. As you exit the last village, the path turns off to the right and gently climbs the hillside in the direction of “Biele”, before descending towards the local textile shop in Saas-Almagell. Alternatively, you can also follow the path along the stream. From the local textile shop, you'll arrive in “Zer Meiggeru”. From here, follow the asphalt road to “Eiju Sand”. On the right bend before the bridge, continue straight along the path, cross the road and follow the bends until you reach the dam. If you like, you can continue to follow the uphill road. But be careful – this last section is very difficult.

Start

Church in Saas-Balen (1487m)

Destination

Mattmark dam (2205m)

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Author's recommendation

From “Zer Meiggeru”, enjoy the romantic wilderness of the nature around you.

Technical information

Altitude

2205m

1487m

Ascent

+718m

Descent

-0m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Scenic
  • Summit route
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Flora
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Take the SBB train to Visp and then the postal bus towards Saas-Fee. Alight at the Saas-Balen village stop.

 

Approach

Take the cantonal road to Visp. At the roundabout by the Landbrücke bridge, turn south on the road for Saas-Fee and Zermatt. If driving from Raron, take the second exit at the first roundabout before Visp and drive through the Visp tunnel (Vispertaltunnel), heading south. Both routes lead you south up the Saas valley. At the “Killerhof” roundabout (after Stalden), take the second exit towards Saas-Fee and follow the road towards Saas-Balen. 

Parking

Public parking available in Saas-Balen, directly to the right after the bridge.

Equipment

We recommend: a bike in excellent working order, a helmet, gloves and a bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.

Safety information

This route has not been approved by the canton of Valais in accordance with the law on leisure mobility routes. The use of the routes and of the information on this website is the responsibility of each user. Local conditions may lead to changes in the route. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on the website.
The mountains are a place of pleasure to be shared and respected, offering space in which to meet up and share unforgettable moments, whether by bike or on foot. For all outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy them properly, it is essential that mountains are shared in a way that respects both Nature and agriculture. Respectful behaviour enables everyone to enjoy their hobby in the best possible conditions. Find out about the recommendations and rules in place.

When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability. All riding is at one’s own risk.

 

Best practice guidelines

Additional information

More information about the destination:

Saas-Fee

Literature

The tourist offices in Saas-Balen and Saas-Almagell have a range of brochures and other informative material about mountain biking in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1329 Saas

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

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