Cross-country skiing

Saas Cross Country Ski Run

Saas-Grund

3/7°

Open

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

22.65 km

Duration

5:00 h

Description

Perfectly prepared cross-country ski trails run through snow-covered larch forests and along the Vispa, which has solidified into ice, with impressive 4,000-metre peaks all around: cross-country skiing is fun!

This cross-country ski run starts immediately in Saas-Grund at the bridge headed towards Saas-Fee. From there, walk downstream and turn left after the third bridge. Here, the trail continues over a clearing in the woods to the hamlet of Bidermatten. After a short descent, continue along the Vispa to the round church in Saas-Balen.

Here begins the long ascent, which takes you along the “Vispa” to Saas-Grund and then via Saas-Almagell to the Zermeiggern” chapel. During the last few kilometres in the direction of “Eiju Sand”, enjoy the unique landscape with a view of the Mattmark Dam, the largest earth dam in Europe. The cross-country ski run takes you back to Saas-Almagell on the same route. For ambitious skiers, the trail turns off in Saas-Almagell towards “Biele”, and a final ascent. Once at the top, the trail gives way to an initially rapid and then more gradual return to Saas-Grund.

Please take note of the current

Turn-by-turn directions

This cross-country run starts in Saas-Grund at the bridge leading to Saas-Fee and leads downstream. At the third bridge, the trail climbs to the left along the edge of the forest before descending again in a curve to the river in front of the hamlet of Bidermatten. The slope continues along the river to Saas-Balen. Before the houses and the round church, the trail meets the road. This is the northernmost and lowest point of the run. From here it retraces the same route via Bidermatten back to Saas-Grund.

From the bridge towards Saas-Fee, the trail follows the river upstream this time. At the third bridge, the trail crosses the river and the road, crossing a snow-covered meadow to another river. Past the hamlet of “Unner de Bodme” (Unter den Bodmen), the cross-country track leads further upstream to Saas-Almagell.

At the bridge/Webstube (weaving workshop) intersection, the trail continues straight ahead to “Zermeiggern”. Behind the chapel and the compensating basin, you will cross the final bridge. From this point the cross-country run follows the road and climbs up to “Eiju Sand”, the southern end of the excursion.

From “Eiju Sand”, the trail retraces the same route down to Saas-Almagell. At the end of the snow-covered meadows, it turns left and climbs up to the Biele. Two hairpin bends lead down to the hamlet of “Unner de Bodme” and along the stream downstream back to the start in Saas-Grund.

Start

Saas-Grund (1558m)

Destination

Saas-Grund (1558m)

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Author's recommendation

There are several bus stops along the trail. The buses return to the starting point every 30 minutes.

There is an extra loop in Saas-Grund.

Technical information

Altitude

1870m

1485m

Ascent

+385m

Descent

-385m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Take the SBB to Visp and change here to the Post Bus to Saas-Fee (bus 511). Get off at the Saas-Grund Post Stop.

Approach

Saas-Fee/Saas Valley can easily be reached by car from all directions, whether from Switzerland or abroad. From the north you can reach us via Bern using the Lötschberg car transporter. From the east, cross the Furka Pass or use the Furka car transporter. From the south, you can reach us via the Simplon Pass or using the Simplon car transporter, and from the west, drive via Lausanne along the Rhône valley to Visp and from there towards Saas-Fee.

drive south in the direction of Saas-Fee. At the "Killerhof" roundabout after Stalden, take the second exit towards Saas-Fee. Follow the road to Saas-Grund.

Parking

Several parking areas are available in Saas-Grund:

Car park at Bergbahnen Hohsaas Station
In the centre of Saas-Grund, next to Denner

Source

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