Snowshoeing

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Snowshoeing

Heimischgarte-Trail open

The Heimischgarte-Trail takes snowshoe hikers through the hamlets and breathtaking landscape above Saas-Balen and ends in Saas-Grund.

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On this trail, the Saas Valley shows itself from a different, quieter side. The trail leads past old, rustic buildings and alps and through the "Löübinobodme" natural forest reserve. Several vantage points with breathtaking views of the Saas Valley, its mountains and villages await snowshoe hikers. The trail begins in Saas-Balen, the smallest village of the Saas Valley communities. First the trail follows the forest road up the valley past the waterfall and then leads on the old alpine path through the snow-covered larch forest via Matt and Ze Gartu to Heimischgarte. It is worth taking a break at the Heimischgarte chapel. The view sweeps from the villages on the valley floor up to the dam wall and the white peaks of the Saas Valley. From here you follow the path through the various alps such as Obru Brend, Unnru Brend, Tewaldji and Bodme. The destination is Saas-Grund.

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Turn-by-turn directions

Der Trail führt vom Dorfplatz links der Kantonsstrasse hinauf zum Wasserfall und über die Brücke weiter den Berg hinauf. Nach ca. 500 m zweigt der Trail nach rechts auf den Wanderweg ab. Dieser überquert zweimal die Straße bis zur Alpe Matt. Kurz nach den Häusern der Alpe Matt zweigt der Weg rechts in den Wald ab und führt im Zickzack bergauf. Bei der dritten Straßenüberquerung geht es rechts auf der Straße weiter bis zur nächsten Kreuzung. An den folgenden Kreuzungen geht es immer rechts zur Kapelle und zur Alp Heimischgarte.

Der Abstieg erfolgt auf dem Weg Richtung Saas-Grund. Zuerst geht es durch den Weiler und über Wiesen hinunter zum Bach und vorbei an den Alpen Obru Brend und Unru Brend. Über die Straße Unru Brend führt der Weg bis zur Wegkreuzung und dann rechts hinunter. Die Straße wird zweimal überquert. An der Kreuzung bei der Waldlichtung geht es rechts weiter bis zum Rittmal, einem einzelnen Haus. Links geht es die Straße hinauf zur Alpe Tewaldji, wo der Weg rechts abbiegt und durch das Naturwaldreservat führt. Am Ende des Waldes geht es geradeaus über die Alpe Bodme bis zur Kapelle St. Joseph, an der Kapelle vorbei und über zwei Kehren und zwei Straßenüberquerungen hinunter. Vorbei am Bildstöcklein St. Anna, der Schutzmauer und über die Brücke beim Ziebel erreicht man den Ortsrand von Saas-Grund. Das letzte Teilstück führt über den präparierten Weg oder den Weiler Unter dem Berg zur Talstation in Saas-Grund.

Start: Saas-Balen, Village centre (1486 m)
Destination: Station Saas-Grund (1553 m)

Author's recommendation

From the Rittmal, there is the option of descending directly down to Saas-Balen.

Technical information

  • Altitude

    2090 m 1487 m

  • Ascent

    602 m

  • Descent

    520 m

  • Technique

    Bewertung: 4 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Stamina

    Bewertung: 4 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Experience

    Bewertung: 4 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Landscape

    Bewertung: 4 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

Best time of year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Linear route
  • Scenic
  • Insider tip
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Forest roads
  • Forest

Public transport

Take the SBB to Visp and change there to the post bus in the direction of Saas-Fee (bus 511).

Get off at the “Saas-Balen Dorf”.

Approach

The Saas Valley is easily and comfortably accessible by car from all directions, whether from Switzerland or abroad: from the north, you can take the Lötschberg car transport via Bern. From the east, take the Furka Pass or the Furka car transport. From the south, take the Simplon Pass or the Simplon car transport, and from the west, drive through Lausanne along the Rhone Valley to Visp and from there to Saas-Fee.

From Visp, drive south towards Saas-Fee. At the "Killerhof" roundabout after Stalden, take the second exit towards Saas-Fee. Then follow the road to Saas-Balen.

Parking

After the bridge in the village on the right side of the road.

Alternative: Large car park at Hohsaas valley station

Equipment

We recommend:

  • Good waterproof footwear
  • Snowshoes
  • Hiking poles
  • Clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
  • Hat or cap
  • Sunscreen
  • Bottle for water, picnic
  • Camera
  • Printout of this hike (click “Print” icon, top right, to download)

Safety information

Use of snowshoe trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. 

  • Bring a map. Download the full description of this route including a large-scale map by clicking on the “Print” icon, at the top right of this page.
  • Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
  • Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals. Do not leave any trash behind you.
  • Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
  • Plan your hike carefully, taking into consideration the fitness level of each participant, the weather forecast and the season.
  • Inform others of your planned route, and whenever possible, avoid going alone.
  • Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
  • Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.

Maps

Winter hiking map Saas-Fee/Saastal

1:50'000 Swisstopo map 284S Mischabel