Mountain bike tours

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Mountain bike tours

Saas Valley Trail

From Saas-Balen, this route takes you into the Saas Valley to the summit of the Mattmark dam, offering a wide variety of difficulty levels, landscapes and nature.

  • Difficulty

    medium, S1

    Difficulty : medium
    S1 Smaller obstacles such as flat roots, stones or small gullies; the surface may not always be firm. Gradients of up to 40%. No hairpin turns. Basic MTB technique required, such as controlled braking and ability to shift centre of gravity

  • Length

    14.6 km

  • Duration

    2:21 h

  • Show on map
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  On this tour you ride from Saas-Balen through the entire lower Saas Valley up to the Mattmark dam. The varied route is 15 kilometres long and you will cover over 700 metres in altitude. If you still have energy at the dam, you can add the lake circuit after a break in the Mattmark restaurant. The alpine landscape will impress you. 

Available offers

Cable car ride to Hohsaas | Saas-Grund

Going up to Hohsaas reveals a panorama that includes 18 4,000-metre peaks and the restaurant at the...
From 37 CHF
Book now

Going up to Hohsaas reveals a panorama that includes no fewer than 18 4,000-metre peaks and the restaurant at the cable car exit is ideal for a comfortable meal. Hohsaas is the starting point for many mountaineers on their way to the surrounding peaks such as the Lagginhorn and Weissmies, for mountain bikers on adrenalin-fuelled descents, and for hikers of all levels, families and sports enthusiasts looking for adventure on the Jägihorn via ferrata.

All you have to do is board the first cable car from Saas-Grund to Kreuzboden, then a second cable car to Hohsaas, at an altitude of 3,200 metres.

Cable car ride to Kreuzboden | Saas-Grund

With a mountain lake, a petting zoo and an adventure forest Kreuzboden has its own special charm and...
From 30 CHF
Book now

With a small mountain lake, a petting zoo and an adventure forest with a suspension bridge and climbing walls Kreuzboden has its own special charm and is a paradise for families. Situated at an altitude of 2,400 metres, this region is easily accessible thanks to the direct cable car that links Saas-Grund to Kreuzboden in just eight minutes.

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Turn-by-turn directions

The mountain bike route starts at the church in Saas-Balen and climbs along the right bank of Visp. Shortly after Saas-Balen, the path turns off to the right and weaves its way through the pastures until "Bidermattu". Pass through the hamlet and follow the path until you reach the river. On the right bank of the river, you'll pass through Saas-Grund, followed by “Zer Briggu” and “Unner de Bodme”. As you exit the last village, the path turns off to the right and gently climbs the hillside in the direction of “Biele”, before descending towards the local textile shop in Saas-Almagell. Alternatively, you can also follow the path along the stream. From the local textile shop, you'll arrive in “Zer Meiggeru”. From here, follow the asphalt road to “Eiju Sand”. On the right bend before the bridge, continue straight along the path, cross the road and follow the bends until you reach the dam. If you like, you can continue to follow the uphill road. But be careful – this last section is very difficult.

Start: Church in Saas-Balen (1487 m)
Destination: Mattmark dam (2205 m)

Author's recommendation

From “Zer Meiggeru”, enjoy the romantic wilderness of the nature around you.

Technical information

  • Altitude

    2205 m 1487 m

  • Ascent

    718 m

  • Descent

    0 m

  • Technique

    Bewertung: 2 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Stamina

    Bewertung: 3 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Experience

    Bewertung: 4 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Landscape

    Bewertung: 6 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

Best time of year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Linear route
  • Scenic
  • Summit route
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Flora

Public transport

Take the SBB train to Visp and then the postal bus towards Saas-Fee. Alight at the Saas-Balen village stop.

 

Approach

Take the cantonal road to Visp. At the roundabout by the Landbrücke bridge, turn south on the road for Saas-Fee and Zermatt. If driving from Raron, take the second exit at the first roundabout before Visp and drive through the Visp tunnel (Vispertaltunnel), heading south. Both routes lead you south up the Saas valley. At the “Killerhof” roundabout (after Stalden), take the second exit towards Saas-Fee and follow the road towards Saas-Balen. 

Parking

Public parking available in Saas-Balen, directly to the right after the bridge.

Equipment

We recommend: a bike in excellent working order, a helmet, gloves and a bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.

Safety information

Use marked bike trails and routes only, making sure you observe all signposting. Kindly close gates after passing through. Please be considerate to walkers, as well as to plants and animals. As a rule, walkers have priority. When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability. All riding is at one’s own risk.

Additional information

More information about the destination:

Saas-Fee

Literature

The tourist offices in Saas-Balen and Saas-Almagell have a range of brochures and other informative material about mountain biking in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1329 Saas