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- Written by: Roger Fulton
Mountain bikers love finding new descents and trails that have not been flooded with riders; routes that still have an aura of mystery about them.
Switzerland’s Saas Valley in the southern canton of Valais, is one of those places, regarded as a real insider tip in the mountain biking scene – whispered, not shouted from the mountain-tops. It’s a destination with more than 80 kilometres of well-marked trails offering routes for all levels – from easy to challenging – plus a lot more off-road terrain besides.
Enduro is becoming the name of the game, with riders able to make use of the Saas Valley’s exciting glacial landscapes. A natural flow rather than artificially built courses.
The Kreuzboden/Hohsaas area, in particular, has well-developed trails from the Bike Skills Park training course to the challenging Hohsaas Trail descent and sunset e-bike tours, while the other areas of the Saas Valley have numerous single-track options. The various routes reveal ever-changing views of the impressive 4,000m peaks of the Saas Valley. Several trails pass by glacier lakes or end there, providing perfect spots to cool off.
Throughout the Saas Valley's charming villages, from the car-free village of Saas-Fee at 1,800m to the neighboring villages of Saas-Grund, Saas-Almagell and Saas-Balen you can discover the diverse nature and culture of this high mountain region on your bike and explore the heart of the Alps. And unlike many popular bike spots, overcrowding is not an issue in the Saas Valley.
For guided tours, the Bikeschule Saastal is a great option. Local guides can show you the most adventurous places in the Saas Valley and are on hand with tips and tricks. During the school holidays in summer and autumn, the youngest guests are also encouraged to join the Kids Bike League.
In addition to guided tours, the region also offers great supporting infrastructure with high-quality mountain bike and e-bike rentals, good servicing opportunities, e-bike charging stations and bike-friendly accommodation. With the Revier Mountain Lodge and the wellnessHostel4000 in Saas-Fee, and the Montela Hotel & Resort in Saas-Grund there are three certified bike-friendly accommodations available that are specially tailored to the needs of mountain bikers.
Off the bike, Saas Valley ‘must-sees’ and ‘must-dos’ definitely include an unforgettable glacier experience tour on the Fee Glacier. Equipped with crampons, ski poles climbing harness, and secured by the rope of the mountain guide, you can explore this unique location as you traverse monumental seracs and crevasses.
Another unmissable experience is an Alpine Canyon tour. On this tour, a mountain guide will take you through the wild and rugged Fee gorge leading from Saas-Fee down to Saas-Grund. The spectacular tour passes waterfalls and takes you across suspension bridges, ladders and steel ropes. A high-speed Tyrolean zipline and cable pulleys are also highlights of the experience.
For something a little less adrenalin-pumping, having a meal at the world’s highest revolving restaurant, the Mittelallalin, at 3,500m is another experience not to be missed. Reached via the world’s highest underground railway, the Metro Alpin, the restaurant revolves 360 degrees in an hour, providing you with an ever-changing panoramic view while you're enjoying regional and international delicacies.
New for summer 2026, the innovative VR experience VirtuAllalin on the Mittelallalin is being expanded, where visitors can enjoy a second part of the popular VR experience. The expansion combines state-of-the-art technology with the impressive high alpine landscape and opens up new perspectives on the fascinating world of glaciers, ice, rock, and altitude.
And for sheer charm don’t pass up a chance to ‘meet the marmots.’ Active from the end of May to mid-September (depending on the length of the winter season), in the Spielboden area of Saas-Fee or at Stafelwald, these delightful creatures are known for approaching visitors to eat carrots and peanuts.
SaastalCard
Your passport to roam the easy way and get a bird’s eye view of these spectacular mountain landscapes. Free use of the cable cars is included from the first overnight stay in almost all accommodations in the Saas Valley with the guest card (SaastalCard). It allows free travel on the cable cars (except the Metro Alpin) in summer and autumn during your stay, and optionally on the day of arrival or departure. Also included is year-round free use of the public Postbus within the Saas Valley throughout your stay (excluding the day of arrival or departure). In addition, the card offers up to 30% discount on numerous activities.
Go to saas-fee.ch for more info about the SaastalCard.
Six of the best Saastal bike routes
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly cycling around Saas-Fee or scenic rides in the Saas Valley here are some great options to try:
Mountain bike
Hohsaas Bike Route
Where: Saas-Grund
Distance: 14.1
Duration: 1hr 30mins
Vertical: 1,700m
Difficulty: Difficult
This is the highlight for all who love bike descents. Start with a cable car ride from Saas-Grund to Hohsaas at a staggering 3,200m. From here, this trail leads back down to Saas-Grund at 1,500m, and guarantees wonderful alpine mountain scenery and pure biking fun.
From the start, the mountain path passes young streams and a striking moraine landscape. Take your first break on the sunny terrace of the Weissmies hut, and enjoy the view of the mighty four-thousanders. Then the trail leads over the large moraine down to Kreuzboden, where the Bike Skills Park and the Kreuzboden lake can provide two different kinds of distractions!
Along the Trift Flowtrail, which winds through alpine mountain meadows, you descend to the Triftalp, accompanied by the alpine soundtrack of cowbells and the occasional marmot whistle. After a short climb, the view opens to the Mattmark reservoir before you rapidly descend over the Furwald single-trail to the finish in Saas-Grund. This part of the trail winds through old, lightly-used paths through a picturesque larch forest.
Bike Skills Park Kreuzboden
Where: Saas-Grund
Distance: approx. 380m
Duration: as long as you like!
Vertical: 32m
A great way for kids especially to hone their skills or just get in a few test laps, before hitting the longer trails.
The Kreuzboden Bike Skills Park above Saas-Grund has been delighting visitors since 2021 and has established itself as a popular highlight for bike fans. On three varied short trails, ranging from around 200m to nearly 500m, young and old get their money's worth. A conveyor belt takes bikers back to the starting point in comfort, so you can repeat as many times as you like!
Mattmark Bike Route
Where: Saas-Almagell
Distance: 22.7km
Duration: 3hrs
Vertical: 578m
Difficulty: Moderate
At the south end of the Saastal Valley you can find the largest earth damn in Europe, the Mattmark damn with the emerald-green Mattmark lake.
It’s a great location for mountain bike riders with a choice of ways to enjoy it. This route, starting and finishing in the village square of Saas-Almagell, leads up to the dam, on a mix of small paths, asphalt road and through a bright young larch forest. It then circles the lake in a magnificent alpine landscape, and ends with a fast descent back to Saas-Almagell.
Alternatively, you can start from the Mattmark restaurant, and just do the family-friendly Mattmark Bike Circular Route, a leisurely 7.9km circuit of the lake, rated easy, with stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains all along the way. (Be careful when crossing streams.)
New for 2026: The popular bike trail around Mattmark Lake is being expanded to offer even more variety. Riders can look forward to sections that combine exciting challenges with stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains – an ideal experience for all abilities.
Family Loop Saas-Fee
Where: Saas-Fee
Distance: 6.7km
Duration: 1hr
Vertical: 169m
Difficulty: Easy/moderate
The Family Loop Saas-Fee is, as its name suggests, an ideal route for families. In about one hour you cycle around the village of Saas-Fee and discover fantastic places for kids and adults alike.
From the Postrondell you take the Bielmatt and Lomatten streets to the Wildi district. Here you leave the village and ride through the larch forest via Bärufalla to Mälchbodu, the highest point of the route, where you can stop at a large playground with fire pits and a small lake.
At the junction just above Mälchbodu, you turn left and continue downhill. And there follows a small descent. Caution, one hairpin turn is steep! This path leads to the next highlight, the Stafelwald with its tame marmots that you can encounter here from June to mid-September.
From here, follow the path to the junction at the large stone and turn right. After the second stream crossing, go uphill to the junction at the forest edge. Here turn left and follow the forest road to the Feeblitz Alpine Coaster. Past the AlpinExpress station, over the panoramic bridge and up the last slope you reach the Postrondell again.
E-bike
E-bike route Gletscherseewjini
Where: Saas-Balen
Distance: 28.6km
Duration: 4hrs 30mins
Vertical: 1383m
Difficulty: Difficult
Of all the routes in the Saas Valley, this out and back route is one of the most impressive. It goes from the valley through forest and alpine landscapes to the glacier lakes and back.
The route starts at the village square of Saas-Balen and leads along the alpine road to the bridge of the Gruebe Alp. From here the forest sections end and you are in alpine nature.
After that follows a strenuous zigzag all the way up. At the fork at an altitude of 2,750m, turn left and follow the path to the end. On the plain you can already see the glacier tongue of the Gruebugletcher and the flank of the Jegihorn. To return, retrace your route on the same trail to Saas-Balen.
E-Bike Tour Hannig
Where: Saas-Fee
Distance: 5.8km
Duration: 1hr 15mins
Vertical: 522m
Difficulty: moderate
The perfect e-bike route. Ascending through the larch forest of Saas-Fee, you follow a wide field path up to the sunny mountain Hannig.
The route starts in the back part of Wildi and leads over Bärufalla to Mälchbodu. At Mälchbodu, there is a small pond with seating, fire pits, and a playground. From here, the wide path leads in a generous zigzag through the forest above the tree line up to the mountain station Hannig. There, the unique view of the Saas Valley’s four-thousanders and the sun terrace of the mountain restaurant provide a welcome rest.
New for 2026: A new bike trail enhances the Hannig offering this summer, with the opening of an official trail leading from Hannig down to Saas-Fee. The varied route combines sporting challenge with impressive views of the surrounding mountains, offering biking enthusiasts an unforgettable alpine experience.
Saas-Fee Saastal FAQs
• How do I get to the Saas Valley?
The Saas Valley (Saastal) in Switzerland, including the car-free village of Saas-Fee, is accessible via train and bus or car, with the main gateway being Visp, which has direct rail links connections from Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Milan. From Visp, take the Postbus (Bus 511) to Saas-Fee, which takes roughly 45-60 minutes. Buses run every 30 minutes, with connections often available until late in the evening. The Saas Valley has a network of buses connecting Saas-Almagell, Saas-Grund, and Saas-Fee. If driving to Saas-Fee, you must leave your car in the large parking garage (Parkhaus) at the entrance of the village, which costs approx. CHF 15-20 per day.
• When is the best time to cycle in Saas-Fee?
July to October is the best time to swap your skis or snowboard and get on your bike, though remember to keep them handy if you fancy hitting the slopes at the summer glacial ski area.
• Are e-bikes allowed on Saas Valley trails?
Very much so. E-biking is becoming an increasingly important part of the summer cycling scene in the Saas Valley.
