This might be the best glacier viewpoint in all of Switzerland. It’s easy to reach with mountain transport and you can walk right up to the snow and touch it.
There is a short wander at the top, visiting three tiny beautiful glacier lakes reflecting the mountains above. We ate lunch at the mountain hut that overlooks the glacier, enjoying polenta with local cheese. It’s a super easy outing for all ages with arguably the best views in all of the Saastal region.
Contents
| Region: | Saas Fee, Valais, Switzerland |
| Start/End: | Saas-Fee Spielboden gondola |
| Car: | Parking: Parkhaus Saas-Fee (Dorfplatz, 3906 Saas-Fee) |
| Transport: | Bus stop: Saas Fee, Post |
| Trail: | optional 15 min loop |
| Elevation: | highest point 2970m |
| Skill: | moderate, tricky footing |
| Condition: | rocky or snow covered unmarked path, no strollers |
| Services: | mountain restaurant |
| Cost 2020: | Gondola return CHF 46/adult Reduction for SBB Half-fare & GA. Junior cards accepted. Included with SaastalCard |
| Open: | late June to mid-October, first ascent 9:00 |
| More info: | cable car website • webcam |
Overview
This glacier viewpoint is located above the car-free village of Saas Fee in southern Switzerland. See on Google Maps.
You reach the Langfluh viewpoint by riding a gondola from Saas Fee to Spielboden, then a cable car to Langfluh. There is a hut and cafe at Langfluh and a larger restaurant at Spielboden. If conditions are safe, you can do a short walk on the glacier snow.
Video of Langfluh
A short video of our visit to Langfluh in July 2020.
Hiking options
Short loop on glacier
At Langfluh, you can do a short 15-20 min walk to three glacier lakes. It’s not marked with trail signs, just follow the other footsteps. The whole path was covered in snow when we were there in July. However the same pics below show it without snow. Be prepared for either.
I was glad to have my high ankle waterproof hiking boots. Sticks would have been helpful as I sunk into the snow up to my knees more than once and fell over a couple times on the slippery snow. You need waterproof shoes. Don’t go off the path because the snow is unstable.
Longer hike
If you want to hike more, you can hike down from Langfluh to Spielboden and/or Spielboden to Saas Fee, as shown on the map below.
Check trail conditions before heading out, especially for the upper section which could be covered in snow outside of high summer. If you hike, make sure to buy the right ticket so you don’t overpay.
Getting There
The gondola is located in the car free village of Saas Fee. So you need to get to the entrance to the village by car or bus, then walk through the village to the gondola station.
By car: Drive to Saas Fee and park in the parking garage at the entrance of the village. You can’t drive any further than the parking garage so you can’t get lost.
By public transport: Take a bus to Saas Fee Post, which is at the entrance to the village.
Whether you arrived by bus or car, walk through the village to the Spielboden gondola.
Tickets & Opening Times
The mountain transport to Langfluh runs from late June through mid October. It runs daily from about 9:00 – 16:15. Check current operating times here.
You’ll need a return ticket from Saas Fee to Langfluh. A 50% discount for children and 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.
Photo story
1. Riding up to Langfluh
Here’s the valley station for the Saas Fee – Spielboden gondola. If you don’t already have a ticket, you can buy it here.
Riding up the first section to Spielboden, looking down on Saas Fee.
Riding the cable car up from Spielboden to Langfluh. This cable car goes every 20 mins.
View of the glacier as you arrive Langfluh.
2. Mountain hut cafe
There is a mountain hut a short walk from the cable car station. There is lots of outdoor seating with a view of the glacier.
They have a small menu. We had polenta with alpine cheese and parma ham. It was so good! The kids had pasta bolo and ice cream and were perfectly happy.
The view of the glacier from next to the cafe.
3. Walk to glacier lakes
It wasn’t super obvious where to start the glacier lake walk. Here is the map again for reference.
You walk up the hill above the cafe for a couple mins to the chair lift, then turn right. There was no marked path so I just followed the well-trod footpath in the snow as you can see here.
It looped around visiting three small lakes.
Safety first: If there’s snow, don’t get too close to the water because the edges can break off and you could fall in.
The path loops back toward the cafe, where you can get a drink and lounge with a view. Check the schedule for the cable car to make sure you don’t miss the last one down (usually 16:00).
See more hikes in the Saas Fee area.
