High trail from Grächen to Saas-Fee

Starting at the Hannigalp mountain station, the route first takes you up to the chapel. For roughly one-and-a-half hours, the path then follows the ridge of the mountain range, before beginning the descent into Balfrintal. From Balfrinalp, the trail climbs slightly to Bockwang before continuing on the level to Stafelalpji above Saas-Balen. The final section of the route follows the rock face down to Saas-Fee. This trail is considered the most beautiful and striking high-altitude trail in the Alps with views of the Bernese, Valais and Italian Alps.

Rugged footwear, sunscreen, rain protection, food and water is recommended.

Early risers encounter ibex and chamois on the Furggen and enjoy a magnificent vista of several four-thousand-metre peaks, among them the Matterhorn.

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Grächen tourisme accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

For all hikes:

• Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on «Print» icon, top right of this page.
• Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Close gates after passing through.
• Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
• Do not leave any waste in nature.

 For mountain hikes:

• Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
• Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
• Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.

 For high-altitude hikes:

• Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
• Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
• Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Rhone valley: Via Martigny - Visp to Grächen / St. Niklaus

Lötschberg car transport: Via Kandersteg - Goppenstein - Visp to Grächen / St. Niklaus (bls.ch/car transport)

Furka car transport: Via Andermatt - Realp - Oberwald - Brig - Visp to Grächen / St. Niklaus (car transport Furka)

Ticino/Simplon: Via Lugano - Centovalli - Domodossola - Brig - Visp to Grächen / St. Niklaus (Simplon car transport)

Parkings in Grächen

The Millegga car park is located at the entrance to the village. Price per day (for covered car park): CHF 15.00

Private car park providers:

Amstutz Trudy

Tel. +41 27 956 13 35

 

Jeiziner Leon

Tel. +41 27 956 16 31

 

Hotel Alpha

Tel. +41 27 956 13 01

From Visp take the train to St. Niklaus. There you change to the Post Bus which takes you to Grächen every half hour. On weekends, there is a direct bus service from Visp to Grächen. Find full timetable information at www.cff.ch

The tourist office in Grächen has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.

SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1308 St. Niklaus