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Heimischgarte-Trail

Snowshoeing · Saas-Balen · closed

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Saastal Tourismus AG

Schneeschuh-Tour im Saastal (Imagebild)
Photo: Saastal Tourismus AG

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The Heimischgarte-Trail takes snowshoe hikers through the hamlets and the winter landscape above Saas-Balen and ends in Saas-Grund.

closed

moderate

Distance 9.2 km

4:10 h

602 m

520 m

2,090 m

1,487 m

The Saas Valley shows a different, quieter side to itself on this trail. On the way, you’ll pass by different rustic old buildings and through alpine pastures as well as crossing the snow-covered "Löübinobodme" natural forest reserve. Several vantage points with breathtaking views of the Saas Valley, its mountains and villages await you.

This trail starts in the smallest village in the Saas valley communities, Saas-Balen. The trail initially follows the forest road out of the valley past the waterfall and then continues on an old alpine path through a snow-covered larch forest via Matt and Ze Gartu to Heimischgarte. It is worth taking a break at the Heimischgarte chapel, offering a sweeping view over the villages at the bottom of the valley up to the dam and the white-capped mountain peaks of the Saas Valley. From this point, follow the path through the various alpine pastures such as Obru Brend, Unnru Brend, Tewaldji and Bodme before finally reaching your destination at Saas-Grund.

Author’s recommendation

From the Rittmal, there is the option of descending directly down to Saas-Balen.

Author

Saastal Tourismus AG

Update: May 08, 2023

Difficulty

moderate

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

Heimischgarte, 2,090 m

Lowest point

Saas-Balen, 1,487 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cardinal direction

Track types

Asphalt

2.5 km

Forested/wild trail

0.9 km

Path

5.8 km

Road

0 km

Show elevation profile

Safety information

Use of snowshoe trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes.

Bring a map. Download the full description of this route including a large-scale map by clicking on the “Print” icon, at the top right of this page.
Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals. Do not leave any trash behind you.
Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
Plan your hike carefully, taking into consideration the fitness level of each participant, the weather forecast and the season.
Inform others of your planned route, and whenever possible, avoid going alone.
Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.

Tips and hints

Saastal Tourismus AG
Obere Dorfstrasse 2
CH-3906 Saas-Fee
Phone: +41 (0)27 958 18 58
E-Mail: info@saas-fee.ch
www.saas-fee.ch

View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility: N°375 Heimischgarte Trail

Start

Saas-Balen, Village centre (1,486 m)

Coordinates:

SwissGrid

2'637'845E 1'111'416N

46.153167, 7.928503

DMS

46°09'11.4"N 7°55'42.6"E

UTM

32T 417260 5111623

w3w

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Destination

Station Saas-Grund

Turn-by-turn directions

The trail starts at the village square and goes up the street to the left of the main road to the waterfall and over the bridge further up the mountain. After about 500 m, the road turns right onto the hiking trail and crosses the road twice to the Matt alpine pasture. A little after the houses on the Matt, the trail turns right into the forest and zigzags up. At the third crossroads, continue on the right along the road until the next crossroads, where you will turn right again to reach the chapel and the Heimischgarte alpine pasture.

The descent is via the path in the direction of Saas-Grund. Start by going through the hamlet and across the meadows down to the river, then on to the Obru Brend and the Unru Brend alpine pastures. Cross the Unru Brend road to the crossroads, then go right down the path. The road is crossed twice and the path comes out at the Rittmal (a detached house). It goes left up the road to Alpe Tewaldji, where the trail turns right and goes through a natural forest reserve. At the end of the forest, the trail continues straight ahead through Alpe Bodme to St. Joseph's Chapel. The trail continues down via two hairpin bends and two crossroads. Pass the St. Anna wayside shrine, the protective wall and the bridge at Ziebel, until you reach the edge of the village of Saas-Grund. The last section goes along the groomed path or the hamlet Unter dem Berg to the valley station in Saas-Grund.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Take the SBB to Visp and change there to the post bus in the direction of Saas-Fee (bus 511). Get off at the “Saas-Balen Dorf”.

By road

Saas-Fee/Saas Valley can easily be reached by car from all directions, whether from Switzerland or abroad. From the north you can reach us via Bern via the Lötschberg car transporter. From the east, head over the Furka Pass or use the Furka car transporter. From the south you can reach us via the Simplon Pass or Simplon car transporter and from the west, drive via Lausanne along the Rhône valley to Visp and from there towards Saas-Fee.

From Visp, drive south in the direction of Saas-Fee. At the "Killerhof" roundabout after Stalden, take the second exit towards Saas-Fee.

Parking

After the bridge in the village on the right side of the road.

Alternative: Large car park at Hohsaas valley station

Coordinates

SwissGrid

2'637'845E 1'111'416N

46.153167, 7.928503

DMS

46°09'11.4"N 7°55'42.6"E

UTM

32T 417260 5111623

w3w

///rewarding.foods.materials

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Author’s map recommendations

Winter hiking map Saas-Fee/Saastal

1:50'000 Swisstopo map 284S Mischabel

Equipment

We recommend:

Good waterproof footwear
Snowshoes
Hiking poles
Clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
Hat or cap
Sunscreen
Bottle for water, picnic
Camera
Printout of this hike (click “Print” icon, top right, to download)

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Status

closed

Difficulty

moderate

Distance

9.2 km

Duration

4:10 h

Ascent

602 m

Descent

520 m

Highest point

2,090 m

Lowest point

1,487 m

Public-transport-friendly Linear route Scenic Insider tip Cultural/historical interest Forest roads Forest

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