Glacier Trail Saas-Fee

Ivar Hagendoorn -

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 an alternative route has opened). 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. I hope to do the entire hike again maybe next year or the year after.

The amazing view from Schwarzbergchopf at an elevation of 2868m. In the distance to the right the Britannia hut.
The Alallin glacier as seen from Schwarzbergchopf
To the right near the edge of the image the Britannia hut

First steps on the 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.
Perfect weather. Not a single cloud and not too cold or too warm.

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

I was hiking on my own so I didn't want to deviate from the trail
Because I can't get enough of these views myself. And because I cannot choose which photo is best.
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
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.

More glaciers! Gornergletscher, Aletschgletscher, Svellnossbreen, Nigardsbreen, Falljökull and the Glacier du Tour.