In 2014 I hiked the glacier trail from Fellskin via the Britannia Hut, the Allalin glacier and the Hohlaub glacier to Mattmark. It went straight into the top 10 of the best day hikes I’ve done and remains there to this day.

I was eager to do the hike again to see how the glaciers have changed in the intervening years. The weather forecast was excellent so I travelled to Saas-Fee for the weekend. Unfortunately, the section across the Chessjen glacier between Fellskin and Egginerjoch was closed due to a rockslide. (Note: in the meantime the original route has re-opened and there's now also an alternative route). As I’d been thinking of doing the hike counterclockwise anyway I decided to start in Mattmark. However, because I didn’t know what to expect on the way down I didn’t go all the way to the Britannia hut, but took the same way back after crossing the Allalin glacier.

In 2025 I did the entire hike again, but I was a bit unlucky with the weather so my photos didn't come out as I had hoped. But that's just the way it is when hiking in the mountains. The weather can change quickly and even if the weather forecast is good it may turn out to be not as good as you'd expected. Of course, the reverse can also happen.

Glacier Trail Saas-Fee
The amazing view from Schwarzbergchopf at an elevation of 2868m. In the distance to the right the Britannia hut.
View along the Glacier Trail Saas-Fee
View along the Glacier Trail Saas-Fee
Allalin glacier
The Alallin glacier as seen from Schwarzbergchopf
Glacier Trail Saas-Fee
To the right near the edge of the image the Britannia hut

First steps on the glacier

On the Allalin glacier
On the Allalin glacier

It's possible to do the hike without crampons, but you do need good hiking shoes. This was the first test for my new Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX. I love them.

Allalingletscher
The Allalingletscher
Glacier Trail Saas-Fee

Not a single cloud and neither too cold nor too warm. A perfect day for a mountain hike.

A sinkhole that sounded pretty deep (left). I didn't dare go any nearer. And rocks on the glacier (right)

Allalingletscher
The Allalingletscher
Allalingletscher
The Allalingletscher
Allalingletscher
I was hiking on my own so I didn't want to deviate from the trail
Glacier Trail Saas-Fee
Glacier Trail Saas-Fee
Amazing views along the Glacier Trail Saas-Fee

Because I can't get enough of these views myself. And because I cannot choose which photo is best.

Close-up of the Allalingletscher
Close-up of the crevasses on the Allalin glacier
A reminder how long it takes to either the Britannia Hut and the gondola station or the bus stop
Schwarzberggletscher
A side trail leads to the foot of the Schwarzberggletscher seen here in the distance. Maybe next time.
According to a sign it's about 45 minutes from here to the foot of the Schwarzberg glacier. However, I didn't want to risk missing the last buss from Mattmark to Saas-Grund.

Related Posts

More Swiss Alps awesomeness! The hike to the amazing Cabane du Grand Mountet, the hike to the Cabane de Moiry, the hike to Oeschinensee Blüemlisalp, the hike from Schynige Platte via the Faulhorn to First, the hike to the Schönbielhütte, the hike to the Chamanna da Boval and the Chamanna da Coaz, the Matterhorn Glacier Trail and the UNESCO Höhenweg.

More glaciers! The awesome Gornergletscher, Aletschgletscher, Svellnossbreen and Nigardsbreen in Norway, Falljökull in Iceland, the Glacier du Tour, the Russell Glacier in Greenland and the mighty Eqi Glacier, also in Greenland.

All photos are available for licensing. INQUIRE about pricing.