recommended route
Mattmark - Trophy of the Dams
Cycling
· Valais
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/ Mattmark DamPhoto: Valais/Wallis Promotion -
/ Mattmark roadPhoto: Christian Pfammatter, Valais/Wallis Promotion - Christian Pfammatter
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/ Cyclist on Mattmark roadPhoto: Christian Pfammatter, Valais/Wallis Promotion - Christian Pfammatter
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/ Cyclists and Mattmark damPhoto: Christian Pfammatter, Valais/Wallis Promotion - Christian Pfammatter
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/ Cyclists on the Mattmark roadPhoto: Christian Pfammatter, Valais/Wallis Promotion - Christian Pfammatter
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/ Mattmark StaudammPhoto: Valais/Wallis Promotion
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/ Mattmark DamPhoto: Valais/Wallis Promotion
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/ The Mattmark damPhoto: Valais/Wallis Promotion
From Visp, enjoy a climb through the “Saastal” valley until the village of Saas-Grund. Attack the second half of the climb that takes you via a road carved into the mountain to this impressive dam at an altitude of 2,197 metres. Resting at the foot of the Allanine glacier and peaks that tower over 4,000 meters, take this moment to enjoy a breath of fresh air!
difficult
Distance 34.3 km
4:00 h
1,556 m
0 m
Think of the climb to Mattmark dam as a pilgrimage...in memory of the 88 workers who died on Monday 30 August, 1965, at 5:15pm, when a chunk of the Allalin glacier collapsed onto the dam construction site. It was not until 1969 that this dam was finally put into operation. Only steps away from the Italian border, the dam is hovered over by towering peaks: Allalinhorn (4,021m), Rimpfischorn (4,199m) and Strahlhorn (4,190m). You will notice as you pass through Saas-Grund that you will only be a few kilometres away from the famous mountain resort of Saas Fee.
Author’s recommendation
A visit to the inside of the dam is possible and free of charge.
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Mattmark dam, 2,202 m
Lowest point
Visp, 646 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rest Stop
Mattmark RestaurantSafety information
Strictly respect the Swiss traffic rules. Please note that you are running the tour at your own risk and all liability is refused. Please be considerate to plants and animals. For your own safety, wear an helmet every time you ride a bike. Emergency numbers: 144 Ambulance / 117 Police / 1414 Helicopter Rescue (Rega).Tips and hints
More information:
Start
Visp train station (646 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'634'213E 1'127'025N
DD
46.293773, 7.882643
DMS
46°17'37.6"N 7°52'57.5"E
UTM
32T 413939 5127295
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Destination
Mattmark dam
Turn-by-turn directions
From Visp, you’ll have a nice warm-up along the river Vispa on the road leading to the famous resorts of Zermatt and Saas Fee. You pass through the village of Stalden before taking the left fork towards the Saastal Valley. The climb is relatively steady until Saas-Balen. From here you can then spin the legs a bit to Saas-Almagell via Saas-Grund before tackling the final steep section of the climb to the foot of the dam. Unlike other Valais dams, the Mattmark dam, inaugurated in 1969, is an earthen dam, the biggest in Europe. You can even ride all the way to the top. It’s a very impressive stack of rocks. Stunning views guaranteed!
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Regular train connections to Visp via Lötschberg (coming from Zurich/Bern) or via Lausanne (coming from western Switzerland).Getting there
Different possiblities to access Visp by car:- Lötschberg car shuttle train, then drive to Gampel and take the main route to Visp.
- Furka (pass or car shuttle train), then drive through the Goms valley to Brig and then to Visp.
- A9 motorway via Sion and Sierre, then main route to Visp.
Parking
Parking at the train station in Visp. Follow the local car park routeing in Visp.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'634'213E 1'127'025N
DD
46.293773, 7.882643
DMS
46°17'37.6"N 7°52'57.5"E
UTM
32T 413939 5127295
w3w
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Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Brochures: Road Cycling Map
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1288 Raron / 1308 St. Niklaus / 1329 Saas
Equipment
We recommend: bike in excellent working order, helmet, gloves and bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.Difficulty
difficult
Distance
34.3 km
Duration
4:00 h
Ascent
1,556 m
Descent
0 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
Duration
: h
Distance
km
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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