Mattmark circular walk

Distance: 8km
Duration: 2hrs 30mins
Ascent: 57m; Descent: 43m
Difficulty: Easy

The south of the Saas Valley is home to the Mattmark Dam, Europe’s largest earth dam. The dam is used to generate electricity and is a popular excursion spot because of the emerald-green Mattmark Lake and its stunning mountain surroundings.

This circuit around the Mattmark reservoir is a popular circular hike with a high alpine atmosphere. The path is also a welcome change for joggers and bikers compared to paved roads. The hike begins directly at the Restaurant Mattmark at the dam wall. First, the route goes through the pedestrian tunnel on the right side of the lake.

The circular hike begins directly at the Restaurant Mattmark at the dam wall and is a popular hike with a high alpine atmosphere. The path is also a welcome change for joggers and bikers compared to paved roads. The reservoir, which was inaugurated in 1969, hides some historical stories and dramatic legends beneath its waters. These can be explored in the exhibition at the restaurant.

Monte-Moro Pass

Distance: 7.4km (one way)
Duration: 3hrs
Ascent: 721m; Descent: 85m
Difficulty: Moderate

The Mattmark dam is the jump-off point for the historic path up to the Monte Moro Pass, which marks the border with Italy’s Piedmont region.

The path starts on the dam crest heading south and runs on the right side of the to the Dischtelalp, the end of the reservoir. From Dischtelalp, the route leads up to the Monte Moro Pass, where the impressive Golden Madonna Statue perches above the trail, on a prominent rock. The gleam of the impressive, gilded Madonna statue is visible, long before you reach the actual pass.

The pass boasts a breathtaking view of the majestic east face of Monte Rosa – the highest mountain wall in the Alps. Slightly below the pass is the G. Oberto hut and the cable car station, where it’s possible to take the gondola down to the charming Italian village of Macugnaga. Alternatively, take the scenic walk back to your starting point at Mattmark.

Saas-Fee hiking trails

Marmot trail Spielboden

Distance: 0.5km
Duration: 45mins
Ascent: 57m Descent: 57m
Difficulty: Easy

If you’re looking for family-friendly walks in Saas-Fee, this new trail is as cute as cute gets – but you don’t have to be a kid to love it. The Murmeliweg at Spielboden (an 8-min cable ride from the village of Saas-Fee) brings you up close to some adorable and very tame marmots that call this area home. You can also hike up to Spielboden, a steady 3.9km climb. The path/ride up promises great views of Saas-Fee and the glacier world.

Naturally, you get to learn a lot of interesting facts about the adorable locals who live in burrows on the rocky scrub area below the lift. The short circular route takes you from the upper station of Spielboden via the hiking trail that leads back towards Saas-Fee into the marmot area. At seven information boards you will find out all about Murmeli Eddie and his marmot family. With some luck you will meet them on the way and can feed them with carrots and peanuts, which can be bought from the Spielboden restaurant or the tourist office.

Glacier lake hike Längfluh (Glacier World)

Distance: 1.3km
Duration: 30mins
Ascent: 49m; Descent: 49m
Difficulty: Moderate

This short circular trail at almost 3,000m above sea level offers pure high-alpine mountain and glacier tranquillity.

From Saas-Fee village take the gondola to the Spielboden station, and transfer to the connecting cable car to Längfluh (2,780m). The journey from the village takes about 20 minutes. The actual route starts at the Längfluh mountain station and goes up to the first hill next to the Steinhaus (stone house) from where you get a breathtaking view of the Saas-Fee glacier.

Next, head under the cable lines and past the ‘stone men’ (a series of stones piled atop one another) to a rocky strip and the glacier lakes, which have formed due to the retreat of the glacier. This is not a walk to rush. Enjoy a drink at the Längfluh mountain restaurant and linger beside the lakes where the highest mountains in Switzerland are reflected in the waters.

The view stretches north to the peaks of Fletschorn, Laggin and Weissmies. Besides other visitors, up here you only hear the wind from the glacier, otherwise it’s a spiritual kind of silence. The power of the mountains and the glacier ice can be felt everywhere. At the end of the circular trail, return to the lift station for your journey back down to the village.

Top summer events

Suono Beer Hike

When: 20 June 2026
Where: Saas-Fee
Hiking time: 2hr 30mins

Combining a leisurely hike with the summer equivalent of après-ski, the Suono Beer Hike will take place for the second time in Saas-Fee this year. The route follows the course of the historic Suonen – the irrigation channels that are a key feature of the alpine landscape here, offering gentle scenic walking trails accompanied by the sound of rushing water.

During seven gourmet stops participants can taste exquisite beers from Valais and Switzerland, while admiring a mountain panorama that is as intoxicating as the beer.
Start slots are between 11:00 and 13:00. After the hike, the festivities on the village square will keep the atmosphere lively until 22:00.

Mattmark Memorial

When: 12 September 2026
Where: Mattmark Dam and Saas-Grund
Distance: 8k, 21k, 35k, 45k

The 7th staging of this memorial event commemorating the Mattmark dam disaster of August 30, 1965, in which 88 construction workers were killed by an ice avalanche. The classic half marathon leads along historic paths through the Saas Valley (21km) and finishes on the Mattmark Dam, just like the short, practically flat lake circuit race of 8km. For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, there is also a fun category for these two runs.

In addition, there are two challenging alpine trails over 35km and 45km. These trails, which start and finish in the village of Saas-Grund, follow the mountain trails high above the valley.

Saas-Fee Saastal FAQs

• How do I get to the Saas Valley?

The Saas Valley (Saastal) in Switzerland, including the car-free village of Saas-Fee, is accessible via train and bus or car, with the main gateway being Visp, which has direct rail links connections from Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Milan. From Visp, take the Postbus (Bus 511) to Saas-Fee, which takes roughly 45-60 minutes. Buses run every 30 minutes, with connections often available until late in the evening. The Saas Valley has a network of buses connecting Saas-Almagell, Saas-Grund, and Saas-Fee. If driving to Saas-Fee, you must leave your car in the large parking garage (Parkhaus) at the entrance of the village, which costs approx. CHF 15-20 per day.

• Is Saas-Fee good for hiking?

Definitely. With 350km of marked trails you will find everything from short easy walks to more challenging high-altitude hikes.

• When is the best time to hike in Saas-Fee?

The summer and autumn months July-October are best, when there is less lying snow, but there are also some established winter routes.