SWITZERLAND • 2-DAY HIKE • ALPINE PASSES TRAIL

Simplon Pass to Saas Fee

Two days on the high traverse above the Visp valley. Stages 18 and 19 of Switzerland's Alpine Passes Trail, ending in Saas Fee with the high glaciers right there.

Trip details

Duration

2 days

Effort

~11 h walking · ~1,400 m ascent

Altitude

~2,200 m highest point

Access

Train + bus, or car

Highlight

Glaciers at eye level into Saas Fee

Location

  1. Starting pointSimplon Pass
  2. DestinationSimplon Pass to Saas Fee
  3. FinishSimplon Pass
Loading map…

Why this trip

  • Two stages of the Alpine Passes Trail in a single weekend
  • Glaciers at eye level on the descent into Saas Fee
  • Genuine remote feel without leaving Switzerland's transport network
  • Quiet alpine hamlet of Gspon as the overnight

Who this is for

  • Comfortable with a 6-hour Day 1 followed by a 5-hour Day 2
  • Want a real 2-day mountain plan with the logistics solved
  • Prefer self-guided independent travel
  • Based in Switzerland or Europe with public-transport access

Not suitable

  • If you lack basic alpine fitness
  • If forecast is unstable for both days — don't push through

What you get

  • Day 1 timeline with arrival logistics from Zurich, Bern, Basel, and Geneva
  • Overnight plan for Hotel Alpenblick Gspon, with the Stalden cable-car backup
  • Day 2 timeline with return bus and train connections
  • Full route map with numbered waypoints and elevation profiles
  • Pack list, full cost breakdown, and reservations checklist

My Experience

Simplon Pass to Saas Fee

Weekend in the mountains. Back on the Alpine Passes Trail.

Early morning train from Zurich. Always the same feeling. Coffee in hand, watching the city disappear and knowing that in a few hours you will be somewhere completely different. Quick stop at Simplon Pass for a late breakfast and then straight on the trail.

The section toward Gspon is easy to follow and surprisingly scenic from the start. Wide views, open terrain and proper summer conditions. Blue sky, strong sun, snow still sitting on the peaks in the distance. It felt like one of those days where everything just works.

Lunch by a stream turned into a longer break than planned. Slipped on a wet rock, small hand bruise, nothing serious. More annoying was the heat. We started running low on water and there was not much shade. Good reminder that even simple routes can become demanding when the sun is strong.

As we got closer to Gspon, sheep started appearing along the trail and the landscape softened a bit. Reached the village just before 18:00. Perfect timing. Or so we thought. Everything was fully booked! For a moment it felt like the trip might end right there - "what do we do now?". Quick decision. The gondola was still running. We went down to Stalden, found a random hotel and saved the weekend!

Next morning back up with the gondola and straight onto the trail again. Completely different day. Cloudy, cooler, much better for hiking. As we approached Saas Fee, the route felt more alive. More people, more movement, more energy around.

At one point we passed some zip lines. Looked fun, but after 2 days on the move it was an easy pass :) Legs were done. Saas Fee at the end felt busy but in a good way. People coming for the weekend, relaxing, hiking, enjoying the mountains. Not this time - we went straight to the bus and back to Zurich.

43 km. 1,700 m ascent. Around 9 hours on the trail. One of those quick weekend trips that feels much bigger than it actually is.

Want the full plan?

The PDF includes the day-by-day plan, transport timings, booking links, weather rules, and route variants. Instant download after purchase.

Get the full guide – $8.99

Save time and money

Guided tour

€120–180

Fixed schedule · Group pace

Plan yourself

8+ hours

Research · Risk of gaps

This guide

$8.99

30 min · Complete route

Frequently asked questions

Is this guide up to date?
Yes. Every TestedRoutes guide is reviewed regularly – the date at the top of the trip details shows when it was last reviewed. Reviews flag broken bookings, transport changes, prices, and seasonal closures so the guide stays accurate as conditions change.
What format is the guide?
PDF, downloadable instantly after purchase. It works offline once saved to your phone, tablet, or laptop – no app required.
What if the weather is bad on my day?
The guide includes go/no-go decision rules and weather-dependent alternatives where they exist. If the trip is fully weather-dependent and your dates don't work, request a refund within 30 days.
Can I get a refund if it doesn't work for me?
Yes – 30 days, no questions asked. Email refunds@testedroutes.com with your order ID. Full details in our refund policy.

Travel more.

Waste less time planning.

Premium travel guides built from 15 years of independent travel across 140 countries.

AI hasn't been there. I have.

Get the Guide – $8.99

PDF · Instant download · 30-day refund