Whether you are keen to do sporting activities, interested in culture or looking to savour gourmet experiences on a hiking trip: in the Saas Valley, you will discover exactly what makes a true alpine summer.

The Saas Valley invites you to enjoy an intense experience of nature, learn about traditions and collect special moments – on foot, by bike or in a climbing harness. Whether it’s feeding the marmots, gourmet hiking or a guided glacier tour: summer in the Saas Valley is varied, inspiring and unforgettable.

Still looking for inspiration? The following 10 activities show how varied, relaxing and eventful a stay in Saas-Fee and the surrounding area can be – for nature lovers, adventurers, those seeking peace and quiet, and everyone in between.

1. Hiking on sunny high-altitude mountain trails

With over 350 kilometres of well-maintained hiking trails, the Saas Valley is one of the most diverse hiking regions in the Swiss Alps. From leisurely walks to high alpine routes, we have something to suit every hiker.

For walkers seeking relaxation, there are shorter tours with gentle inclines and impressive views. Those who prefer a more sporty approach can undertake all-day high-altitude hikes that are more challenging – always surrounded by the imposing backdrop of the four-thousand-metre peaks. In the Saas Valley you can also go on hikes lasting several days, staying overnight in alpine chalets. These tours allow you to be fully immersed in the alpine landscape, experiencing the changes in vegetation zones, climate and panoramic views.

Thanks to the wide variety of route profiles and the excellent infrastructure, you can explore the region independently and safely. Hiking in the Saas Valley gives you a slowed-down experience of nature, a sporting challenge and unforgettable impressions – all rolled into one.

2. Through the valley on an e-mountain bike

The Saas Valley offers ideal conditions for bike fans to explore the mountain world in an active yet comfortable way. Thanks to the well-developed network, even the more challenging routes can be mastered effortlessly – without sacrificing the intense experience of nature.

The leisurely valley routes, where the landscape takes centre stage, are perfect for hobby sports enthusiasts. Those looking for more of a challenge will find a variety of trails that are steeper, with an alpine character and spectacular viewpoints.

3. Pure adrenalin in the Alpine Gorge

If you are looking for adventure, the Alpine Gorge offers a unique experience in the heart of nature. You can explore the impressive gorge between Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund as part of a guided tour, where you will experience thrills and excitement at the same time.

Equipped with a helmet, harness and safety rope, you negotiate a spectacular route along steep rock faces, over suspension bridges and through narrow crevices. The rushing water of the wild river accompanies your group through the imposing gorge, reinforcing the impression of unspoilt natural power.

The tour is not only a sporting adventure, but also an opportunity to experience the alpine landscape from an unusual perspective. Experienced mountain guides ensure maximum safety and give you interesting facts about geology and the environment.

4.  Bike descent from Hohsaas to Kreuzboden

Sporty mountain bikers will get their money’s worth on the route between Hohsaas and Kreuzboden. The track leads through alpine terrain, past rugged cliffs, glacier views and vast mountain landscapes – a challenging but rewarding adventure on two wheels.

The cable car takes the bikers up the mountain in comfort, so that they can concentrate fully on the descent. Whether it is technically challenging descents, winding paths or panoramic views: the route offers a varied mix for sporty and ambitious bike fans. Along the way, different vantage points offer the perfect opportunity to pause and enjoy the impressive mountain panorama. Why not combine the tour with a stop at a mountain restaurant? Treat yourself to some refreshments after the descent.

The bike infrastructure in the Saas Valley is excellent: hire stations, service centres and designated trails ensure that even challenging tours can be completed in a safe and relaxed way. This makes the descent from Hohsaas to Kreuzboden a real highlight for active summer guests – with adrenalin, views and alpine adventure.

5. Feeding marmots – meet the secret stars of the Alps

A summer holiday in the Saas Valley would not be complete without an encounter with probably the most popular inhabitants of the mountains: the marmots. At the edge of the village of Saas-Fee and on the Spielboden, visitors can observe the cute animals up close – and even feed them.

For children, it’s a real highlight – and for adults, too. The marmots are used to people and come out of their burrows curiously as soon as hikers arrive with a little food. Carrots and nuts are particularly popular.

Feeding is carried out in accordance with clear rules so as not to endanger the animals. Guests of all ages will also learn exciting facts about the behaviour and habitat of these typical alpine inhabitants. With a little luck, and if you are calm, patient, you can even watch the marmots playing or whistling loudly. This peaceful encounter in the heart of the mountain landscape is an unforgettable experience – close to nature, educational and affectionate at the same time.

6. Interactive experiences on the theme trail about mountain weather

How does a thunderstorm develop in the mountains? Why is the climate also changing noticeably in the Alps? And what role do glaciers play in the global water cycle? You can find the answers to these and many other questions on the interactive theme trail “Eddie and the mountain weather”, which provides exciting insights into the world of weather and climate in summer.

The family-friendly circular trail is ideal for hikers who not only want to enjoy nature, but also expand their knowledge. Along the route, illustrative experience stations invite you to discover weather phenomena, understand connections and even get involved yourself – by guessing the cloud types, feeling the wind or comparing temperatures at different locations.

For children in particular, the trail offers a playful and tangible way to learn about the climate. But it is also interesting for adults – whether casual hikers or ambitious amateur meteorologists – who will also find many exciting “aha” moments along the trail.

In combination with the unique alpine scenery, the hike is a real educational and nature experience for young and young-at-heart explorers – developed in collaboration with MeteoSchweiz.

7. Alpine experience for all: the ascent of the Mittaghorn in Saas-Fee

If you are looking for a true summit experience in Saas-Fee in summer, one that’s suitable for both mountain sports beginners and experienced alpinists, you should definitely set your sights on the Mittaghorn (3,149 m). The tour combines everything that makes the alpine summer in the Saas Valley so special: awe-inspiring nature, sporting activity and a summit panorama that you will remember for a long time to come.

The ascent of the Mittaghorn starts comfortably with the Alpin Express cable car to Morenia. The ascent alone impresses with its varied scenery: as you climb step by step towards your destination, you encounter scree fields, rocky areas and panoramic views. Depending on the chosen route, the tour is technically moderate, but requires surefootedness, a good basic level of fitness and appropriate hiking equipment.

This is precisely why the Mittaghorn is ideal for ambitious climbers who want to tackle their first three-thousand metre peak – as well as for experienced mountain enthusiasts who are looking for a scenic but not overcrowded tour.

Your reward for the ascent is a spectacular view: from the summit you have a 360° panorama of the Mischabel mountain range, the Fee Glacier, the Mattmark dam, the Monte Rosa massif and deep down into the Saas Valley. On clear days, the view extends to the highest peaks in Italy and far beyond the Valais Alps.

Whether you’re heading out solo, as a couple or with a local guide: climbing the Mittaghorn is a summer experience that touches your soul.

8. Gourmet hiking with a view – culinary trails in Saas-Fee and Saas-Almagell

Summer in the mountains is not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the palate. In Saas-Fee and Saas-Almagell, two culinary trails invite you to discover regional specialities – step by step, course by course, and always with a panoramic view.

In Saas-Fee, the trail leads through alpine landscapes around the car-free glacier village. Hikers can enjoy a multi-course meal at different restaurants along the route. From aperitifs to savoury main courses and sweet desserts, everything is on offer – always served with a panoramic view of the surrounding four-thousand-metre peaks. The combination of alpine ambience, well-maintained trails and fine cuisine makes this trail a special experience for connoisseurs.

In Saas-Almagell, you can also combine hiking with pleasure – on a somewhat quieter, family-friendly culinary trail through meadows, forests and along the Suonen (ancient irrigation channels). The tour is less steep, but particularly charming and rustic. It is perfect for anyone who likes to get off the beaten track and sample typical Valais specialities in a relaxed atmosphere.

Both trails can be booked individually and are suitable for guests of all ages. Whether as an outing for two, a family experience or a culinary gift: the culinary trails in Saas-Fee and Saas-Almagell combine exercise, encounters and enjoyment of the mountains in a unique way.

9. Discover culture and history – on the trail of alpine environments

The Saas Valley is not only a place of impressive nature, but also rich in history, tradition and living culture. If you take time to discover the alpine heritage away from the hiking trails in summer, you will be rewarded with impressive insights into the lives of the mountain people of a bygone age.

The Saas Museum in Saas-Fee offers visitors interested in culture a comprehensive insight into what everyday life was like in the valley in previous times. Agricultural objects, craftwork, religious artefacts and the history of tourism are on display. A special highlight is the writer Carl Zuckmayer’s originally furnished room; he lived in Saas-Fee for many years and created a literary monument to the village in his work. The museum impressively documents how people lived and worked here, the perseverance they showed, and how the valley changed with the advent of tourism.

In Saas-Grund, the Sonnehalde commemorates an outstanding figure in alpine history: Father Johann Josef Imseng, priest, mountain guide and pioneer of skiing. The small memorial honours the origins of mountain guiding in the Saas Valley and tells of a time when alpinism, faith and the art of survival were closely related.

A walk through Saas-Fee also takes you past the typical “Stadelbauten” barns. These granaries, built on wooden stilts above stone slabs, were once used to store provisions and are a characteristic element of alpine building culture. Even though they are no longer used today, they still characterise the village landscape and recall the close connection between man, architecture and nature in the alpine mountains.

If you are interested in culture and alpine identity, you will find numerous opportunities in the Saas Valley to get to know the “other side” to this holiday region – down-to-earth, moving and deeply rooted in history.

10. Guided glacier tour – step into the realm of the eternal ice

A guided glacier tour is a special summer experience in Saas-Fee. Accompanied by experienced mountain guides and equipped with crampons, poles and rope, you head out onto the eternal ice of the Fee Glacier – a place where the forces of nature and the dimensions of the alpine spaces become tangible.

The tour usually starts in the morning, when the conditions are particularly stable and the light makes the ice crystals glisten. After an introduction to safety rules and equipment, the route leads over crevasses, icy moraines and ridges of crystalline snow. Along the way, the mountain guides explain the formation of the glacier, point out traces of climate change and provide fascinating insights into the alpine ecosystem.

Depending on the route and the fitness level of the group, the tour takes several hours and is suitable for both sporty beginners and experienced alpinists. You need to be sure-footed and have a certain basic level of fitness – you will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience in the midst of the alpine landscape. If you really want to experience the Saas Valley in summer, you should take the opportunity to experience the ice – guided, secured and with deep respect for the high mountains.

A summer in the Saas Valley is much more than just a holiday in the mountains – it is an invitation to connect with nature, discover new perspectives and create lasting memories. Between glacier ice, marmots and mountain guide tradition, culinary delights and climbing adventures, you will experience a region that inspires with its true authenticity and impressive diversity. Whether you are an active holidaymaker, culture lover or looking to combine gourmet experiences with hiking: if you spend the summer in the Saas Valley, you will take home more than just beautiful photos.