Hike the Almageller Höhenweg

Getting There
Start your tour in Saas-Grund at the bottom station of the Hohsaas cableway. In summer, it costs you only 7 Swiss Francs there to park your car for the day. Then take the cable car up to the middle station (Kreuzboden) where your hike will begin.

Hint: If you are staying in the Saas Valley for more than a couple of nights your ride with the cable car will be free (in summer only). Just present the "Bürgerpass" you received from your host at the cableway station.

Hike the Almageller Höhenweg
This 11.1 km (6.9 miles) hike will take you about 4 hours of walking time. However, in order to have enough time for breaks and to enjoy the stunning views you should plan for about 5-6 hours for the tour.

At Kreuzboden start your hike following the signs leading to Almagelleralp. Please note that Almagelleralp will not be your final destination, so don't be confused about the signaled hiking time not corresponding with my description here (which is correct).

After about one hour you'll pass the avalanche barriers and then reach an intersection with one way descending down to the valley and another one heading up. Choose the ascending trail and soon after you'll find yourself on a little plateau from where you'll have stunning views of the Saas Valley.

Rest at the Almagelleralp
Upon completion of about 2/3 of the tour you'll reach the Almagelleralp where you'll find a lovely mountain hut with a very good restaurant. I highly recommend having a drink and maybe eat something at this peaceful place.

Continue your hike in direction to Saas-Almagell along the creek until you reach the next intersection with a wood bridge crossing the creek on your left. Now you'll have to decide whether you want to continue your tour on the adventure trail towards Furggstalden (my recommendation), or on the direct pathway down to Saas-Almagell.

Adventure Trail
Please only choose the adventure trail (Erlebnisweg) if you are not afraid of heights since you'll have to cross two exciting but somewhat scary suspension bridges and other obstacles on this narrow path. A little bit of climbing will be required, but you don't need any climbing gear. However, sturdy hiking boots are a must.

The adventure trail is safe and basically can be done by everyone, so don't be afraid and check it out! The first obstacle to cross will be one of those suspension bridges and you'll get to it in under 5 minutes from the intersection. You could easily walk back to the intersection if you don't dare to cross the bridge upon arrival.

Descent to Saas-Almagell
If you choose the adventure trail you'll reach a plateau called Furggstalden after about 30 minutes. From there you can take a chairlift down to Saas-Almagell. Please note that the chairlift only runs until 4pm or 4.30pm, depending on the time of the year (check summer timetables here). Don't worry if you missed the last chairlift since it's not much further to walk down to Saas-Almagell from Furggstalden.

If you choose the direct descent to Saas-Almagell (earlier at the intersection), be informed that this trail is very steep. So in its own way the adventure trail is the more comfortable option. On the plus side, however, the direct and steep pathway will lead you to a spectacular waterfall at the end of the tour which you won't see if you chose the adventure trail.

Getting Back
In either case you'll finish your tour in the beautiful town of Saas-Almagell from where you can take the bus (Postauto) back to Saas-Grund. In summer, the bus ride will be free with the Bürgerpass. The bus runs about every half hour and will take you back to your car in Saas-Grund within just about 15 minutes.

Hint: Another option is to park your car in Saas-Almagell and take the bus to Saas-Grund before you start the tour, so your car will be waiting for you at your final destination.