Two-Day Vacation in the Popular Saas Valley - Part 2

August 15, 2016 -- On August 14th we hiked five hours (14 km) on a popular high trail in Canton Valais, from the "fork" of the Saas and Matter Valleys (the latter ends at the Matterhorn) all the way to the back of the Saas Valley, where we overnighted in a pleasant hotel with a very fancy breakfast buffet.

As this is mainly a ski area, and the summers are rather quiet, the tourist bureau offers special passes for anyone overnighting here, that you can ride the cable cars for free! Since there were plenty to choose from, we decided to ride two of them the next day before heading home: 

First up to an altitude of almost 3000m right into the snow where there is a popular glacier trail that is easy to navigate (we had time only to walk on it a few meters) to the viewing platform called Felskinn, from which the Swiss, not satisfied with their awesome cable car construction, decided they needed to tunnel a metro through solid mountain up to another revolving restaurant at 3457 m!

From there we headed back down into the valley for a ride up to over 3000m altitude where you supposedly can view the peaks of 18 mountains over 4000 meters! Except the clouds had moved in and the peaks were missing, but it was impressive just the same.

So it's a plan to return some other time when the sky is clear, and it can only get better! Maybe we'll ride the metro next time (that one's NOT free!)

Our wonderful hotel in Saas Fee, on the outskirts of this ski village.

Sitting on my balcony and admiring Mount Allalinhorn, where we are heading up after breakfast.

Heading up to Mount Allalinhorn, to a viewing platform at just about 3000m altitude.

The peak on the left is Mount Allalinhorn, it is just over 4000m. We are surrounded by several 4000+, including the highest mountain that is fully on Swiss territory, the DOM, which is to my right.

Glaciers and more glaciers, never cease to fascinate me.

First Cable car ride is to the viewing platform at Felskinn, 2991m altitude. (there is also a restaurant here).

 

First ride with the Alpin Express Cable car to the viewing platform at 2991 meters below Mount Allalinhorn. Below is the village of Saas Fee.

The Swiss are extreme builders, giving access to rock and ice with their fantastic engineering feats.

This is the approach to the viewing platform.

This is a year-round skiing area, and there are still many ski fans up here, mid-summer.

Felskinn viewing platform (2991m) in the Saas Valley.

Felskinn viewing platform (2991m) in the Saas Valley.

Heading out a few meters onto the Fee glacier trail. No time for a hike today, we have to ride cable cars for free.

Back down in Saas Fee, we can see where we will head next, up to Hoh Saas, but the clouds are moving in.

First cable car ride from Saas Fee to Felskinn (2991m), the second from Saas Grund to Hoh Saas (3145m).
The DOM peak is the highest mountain that is 100% on Swiss territory.

From our second cable car, we look into the Saas Valley to Saas Grund below, and Saas Fee on the upper plateau.

Hoh Saas Cable Car

 

Middle Station on the way to the top, Hoh Saas Cable Car.

This is simply breathtaking.

 

Heading up higher from the middle station to Hoh Saas, from which we should be able to see 18 peaks over 4000m.

How cool is it to be able to get up here without doing any work at all.... 

Somewhere in those clouds are 18 peaks over 4000 meters, and way behind them the Mont Blanc.

 

It was nice when the sun was out, but the clouds moved in quickly and then it was COLD!

 

To the North, beautiful glacier moraines, where a glacier also once resided and has now retreated.

 

One more look at the beautiful Mount Allalinhorn with the subway to the revolving restaurant, up on that white saddle somewhere.

As we descend, we get another view of where we walked the day before, looking North along the Saas Valley.