Two suspension bridges, 45 and 60 metres long, mark an exposed section of the Almageller High Trail. A sure foot and a head for heights are essential on this trail – an important detail when choosing your hike in Saas-Almagell.
Mountain trails and excursions to Mattmark
The Almageller High Trail is a moderately difficult hike covering 11.07 kilometres and taking 3 hours and 15 minutes. Its first section follows an alpine flower promenade featuring around 240 flower species, including edelweiss and gentian. Which flowers you see depends on the weather and flowering season; trail conditions can also vary seasonally. Check them before setting out.
In summer, Saas-Almagell offers hiking trails. One excursion leads to nearby Mattmark Reservoir, whose surroundings offer a different focus from the high-altitude trail: the path along the west shore is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. Mattmark Dam is considered Europe's largest earth-fill dam; the reservoir, used to generate electricity, lies in a ruggedly romantic landscape. Bikers reach the natural dam via hairpin bends winding through alpine meadows. The pumping station at the Zermeiggern power plant can also be visited. As access conditions may vary seasonally, it's worth checking before your excursion.
For the Mattmark Bike route, take the train to Visp, then the PostBus to Saas-Grund, followed by another PostBus towards Saas-Almagell/Mattmark. The starting point is the Dorfplatz Saas-Almagell stop; the route is suitable for e-bikes. Check the current timetable before setting off.
Winter activities and climbing
In winter, the snow-covered sunny terrace of Furggstalden invites you to visit. The Saas-Almagell ski area has eight lifts, and its slopes reach an altitude of 2,400 metres. The Furggstalden-Heidbodme ski area is considered particularly family-friendly. Kian's Adventure Land in Furggstalden offers a 200-metre-long course with 40 cartoon characters, as well as Kids' Skidoos, snow tubing, a treasure map hunt, a children's slalom, a ski park, a carousel, an igloo cinema and a tipi.
Another outdoor option is Boulder Town in Saas-Almagell. It has around 80 boulder problems, with difficulty grades ranging from III to 7b+. The area can be reached by bus towards Saas-Almagell, getting off at the «Alpien» stop. As conditions and sector access may change, check both before climbing. It's also worth checking the current timetable for the bus service.
Village character and culture
Old barns, soothing quiet, idyllic corners and a small lake are part of Saas-Almagell's distinctive village character. The mini-golf and Pit-Pat course is beside the small lake in the village centre. It's a specific place to visit in the village; opening details may change, so it's worth checking before your visit.
A cultural landmark in the Saas Valley is the parish church of St Barbara. A chapel built in 1692 is considered the predecessor of today's church. The parish church's Baroque high altar dates from 1694 and was made in the workshop of Johann Sigristen in Brig. The two dates mark different stages: the predecessor chapel and the later altar.
For a broader regional perspective, the hiking horizon extends beyond the village: in Saas-Fee/Saas Valley, 350 kilometres of hiking trails open up views of 18 four-thousand-metre peaks. In summer, Saas-Almagell itself offers hiking trails; in winter, it offers the snow activities and climbing options mentioned above. This makes it easy to tailor your plans to the season and the activities you have in mind.
Discover more destinations: Törbel, Visp, Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Staldenried, Saas-Balen, Baltschieder, Randa
Go to the main travel overview: Visp.
