Saas Fee Höhenweg Almagelleralp • Panorama Hike & Cliff Walk

The views are great on the Höhenweg Almagelleralp trail. But our favorite part is the short but exciting Erlebnisweg section with two suspension bridges, narrow wooden walkways built into the rock walls, steep ladders and other wacky amusements.

It doesn’t require safety equipment, just a little courage and good fitness. Even without this section, the hike is well worth it, a nice way to enjoy the Saastal valley views for the whole day.

Location

This trail is located in the Saastal region in southern Switzerland. See on Google Maps.

Trail map

This is a one way trail from Kreuzboden to Furggstalden (aka Furggstalu). After 6.75 km (about 3 hrs), you can stop for lunch at the Berghotel Almagelleralp. At about 8.3 km, you reach the Erlebnisweg, with the narrow cliff walkways, etc (more about this below).

The trail ends at Furggstalden, where you can ride a chair lift down the mountain or instead rent a “trotti” scooter to ride down (about a 20 min ride).

Note about the “Erlebnisweg”: This short section (about 700m) has ladders, narrow walkways built into rock walls, and suspension bridges (see pics in story below). It does not requirement safety equipment or climbing skills, but it not suitable for those with vertigo, small children, dogs or those with mobility issues. You can skip this section by instead hiking down the mountain to the valley, following signs to Saas-Almagell.

Video of trail

This short video is from our visit in mid July 2020.

See full video on our YouTube channel.

How to get there

The trail starts right on the side of the road at the bus stop and parking.

By car: Drive to Saas Grund and follow signs to the Hohsaas gondola. Park in the metered lot next to the gondola station. At the end of your hike, you’ll take the bus from Saas Almagell, Post back to Saas Grund, Parkplatz Bergstation to pick up your car.

By public transport: Take a bus to Saas Grund, Parkplatz Bergbahn, which drops off at the gondola station.

At the end of the hike, walk from the chair lift into the village to the Saas Almagell, Post bus stop. The bus runs rather infrequently from here. In 2020, it runs at 13:42, 14:42, 15:42, 16:12, 16:42 and 17:12. Don’t miss that last bus! 

Tickets & Operating Times

You’ll need a one-way ticket on the gondola from Saas Grund to Kreuzboden. In 2020, this costs CHF 27/adult. The chair lift runs daily from mid-June through mid-October. During summer holidays, the gondola runs from 7:30-16:45. Otherwise, it runs 8:00-12:00 and 13:15-16:30. Check current operating times.

Then another one-way ticket on the chair lift from Furggstalden to Saas-Almageller. In 2020, this costs CHF 10/adult. The chair lift runs daily from mid-June through the first week of October. During summer holidays, it runs from 9:30-12:15 and 13:30-16:30. Otherwise it runs 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00. Check current operating times.

For both the gondola and chair lifts, there is a 50% discount for those with SBB Half-fare, GA, or Swiss Travel Pass. Children with a SBB Junior Card or under 6 travel free. Those with the SaastalCard (guest card for those staying overnight in the area) ride free.

Video of trail

Photo story of trail

1. Riding up to Kreuzboden

Here we are walking to the Saas Grund gondola station, ready to ride up to Kreuzboden.

The great playground at Kreuzboden, with swings, slides, rock wall, zip line, climbing equipment, etc.

2. Starting the trail

To start the trail, follow signs to Almagelleralp.

You can see the trail traversing this mountain to the right.

Beautiful views across the valley.

Looking back to Kreuzboden.

The trail gets very rocky for a bit, but the trail is well built and easy to follow.

Now we can see the Saas Fee village below.

A short section with a narrow path with a steep drop off. I appreciated the handrail.

Keep following signs to Almagelleralp. This sign looked like it had seen better days.

We spotted Edelweiss in the wild on these hills. Keep your eye out!

Now we can see the Mattmarksee lake in the distance that we hiked around on another day.

3. Hiking down to Almagelleralp

Now turning the corner to head into the Almagelleralp valley that gives its name to this trail.

I loved the grassy hills filled with wildflowers on this section.

A couple trails split off to the right. If you want to go to the restaurant, just keep on the trail that leads up this valley.

Arriving at the Berghotel Almagelleralp. We arrived at 13:00 and every table was full, but we got lucky and a group left just as we got there. A few groups arrived after us and had to wait.

3. Back on the trail down to Saas-Almagell

From the Berghotel, walk down the valley following signs to Saas-Almagell.

You follow the river, which is always a treat.

4. Starting the Erlebnisweg, aka Adventure Path

At this bridge over the river, the trail forks. If you want to do the Erlebnisweg, follow signs to Fuggstalu, like we did. Otherwise, you can follow signs to Mossgufer / Saas-Almagell, which will lead you directly down the mountain to the valley, skipping the Erlebnisweg.

Here is the first suspension bridge on the Erlebnisweg.

It’s super wobbly and the wood slats didn’t look particularly long-lasting. But we made it across.

Some of it is like a semi-normal path.

Lots of narrow walkways and steps.

Some steps and the second suspension bridge.

The end had some very step ladders and steps to navigate.

5. Ending at Furggstalu

The Erlebnisweg ends at a paved road and small parking lot. Follow signs to Furggstalu (same as Furggstalden) to the chair lift.

Remember the lift closes at 16:30. We were lucky and were the last ones on the lift before it closed.

I hope you like this hike!

See more hikes in Saas Fee region