July 2014 a new glacier trail opened near Saas-Fee, Switzerland, which connects the Mattmark reservoir with the Britannia Hütte via Schwarzbergkopf, the Allalinglacier and the Hohlaubglacier. From the Britannia Hütte you can then hike to Felskinn and take the cable car back to Saas-Fee. I hiked the route in the other direction, from Felskinn to the Mattmark reservoir. It went straight into the top 10 of best day hikes I've ever done. Of course, the weather helped.
On a beautiful day late in September 2022 I did the Glacier Trail Saas-Fee clockwise, starting in Mattmark. However, I didn't go all the way to the Britannia Hütte. In 2025 I did the entire hike once more, but unfortunately the weather wasn't as good as in July 2014 and September 2022. The Chessjen glacier had almost disappeared and the Allalinglacier had receded considerably.
The start of the glacier trail at the Felskinn cable car stationLooking back to Felskinn in the far right corner
On the way to the Britannia Hütte in the far right corner. To get there you have to cross the Chessjengletscher.
Looking back from the ChessjengletscherOnce you reach the top of the Chessjengletscher a stunning view awaits.After enjoying a soup at the Britannia Hütte I climbed to the top of the Klein Allalin, a small summit (3,030 m) next to the Britannia hutFrom Klein Allalin you have amazing views of the Dürrenhorn, Nadelhorn, Dom and Täschhorn to the right and the Strahlhorn, Rimpfischhorn and Allalinhorn to the left. This is looking to the left.Looking back towards the Britannia Hütte from the Hohlaubgletscher. The hut is to the right. The descent to the glacier required a bit more scrambling than I'd expected. There was more to come. A lot more.On the Hohlaub glacierSomewhere along the Hohlaubgletscher. Walking across the glacier was, once again, an awesome experience.The HohlaubgletscherThe HohlaubgletscherThe blue white sign indicates the path...Looking back towards the Britannia HütteThe blue white sign indicates the path...Another glacier to cross, the Allalingletscher
Somewhere on the Allalingletscher
Somewhere on the Allalingletscher. To get to the other side of the glacier just follow the poles.Looking back over the Allalingletscher. In the far right corner the Britannia HütteThe landscape is spectacular. It really was a splendid day.Close-up of the Allalin glacierLooking back. In the foreground the Allalingletscher. In the background the Hohlaubgletscher. I crossed both!
