Swiss Tour Monte Rosa
Overview
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Distance 20 km
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Duration 9 h
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Ascent 1300 m
Intro
Challenging high-level trail between Saas-Fee and Grächen, extremely exposed in places as it leads through the steep walls of the Balfrin group. Dizzying views deep into the Saastal, enthralling views of the Fletschhorn, Lagginhorn and Weissmies.
Detour / Closure
There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-27/stage-1
Description
Saas was once a glacial valley and the glacial masses stretched from Vaud to the Jura. The glaciers retreated and what remained were 13 four-thousand-metre peaks that frame the car-free area of Saas-Fee.
The pioneers who built the mountain path in the 1950s called the route between Saas-Fee and Grächen the «path to silence». Today, there are no restaurants or hotels to disturb the peace on this hike. The high-altitude hike is physically demanding because you have to tackle an elevation gain of 1,250 metres and a descent of 1,450 metres in altitude.
Once you have left the holiday village, a path leads to Senggboden and then to Balmiböden. The hike continues through wooded areas as far as this. The view of the opposite peaks of the Fletschhorn, Lagginhorn and Weissmies is breathtaking. The path is very exposed in some parts and runs along the steep faces of the Balfrin group. The views down into the Saas Valley are vertiginous at times.
If you are lucky, you will spot chamois and ibex on the rock faces along the route. At Rote Biel, you have completed more than half of this stage. A bench here invites you to take a break before continuing with the last major climb.
The path, with its wealth of panoramic views, now runs steadily up and down towards Hannigalp. You can tackle the last 500 metres of elevation gain either on foot or by cable car. The Valais mountain village of Grächen is located on an attractive sunny terrace above the Matter Valley at an altitude of 1,620 metres, and is known as a holiday resort and trip destination.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Saas Fee
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Grächen
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
2000 m
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| Ascent |
1300 m
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| Descent |
1450 m
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| Distance |
20 km
|
| Duration |
9 h
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| Duration back |
7 h 25 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
June - October
|
| Theme |
With panoramic view
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r... |
Quick Facts
Route number
