Zwischbergenpass
Description
The Zwischbergen Pass, which is almost 3300 meters high, connects the Zwischbergen Valley on the Simplon Pass with the Saas Valley and starts completely harmlessly from Gondo - namely in the Postbus. This takes us to the reservoir below the village of Zwischbergen. Now your own muscle power is required: On a gravel road, you climb up to the Cheller plateau, where the route turns into a single trail and the adventure begins. On a steep path, you hump your bike towards the Zwischbergen Pass. As the altitude increases, the trail becomes more difficult to ride, and after a flatter section at around 2700 meters above sea level, the route leads over high alpine scree fields. The carrying passage from Cheller to the Zwischbergen Pass takes over five hours, depending on your fitness level. In return, there is a sensational panorama of the Weissmies and the Mischabel opposite at the top of the pass. There is also a downhill trail that rides past the Almagellerhütte to the Almagelleralp. This trail is technically very demanding but a fun challenge for experienced mountain bikers. After the Almagelleralp, the route turns into the downhill trail that many people know from the Hehbord tour. The trail winds its way down to Saas-Almagell over many steps and hairpin bends, providing a first-class finish to an extraordinary bike adventure. At the very end of the tour, you roll down from Saas-Almagell to Saas-Grund and take the Postauto-Tour down to Visp.
Map & GPX-Track
The map is only available to Ride subscribers.
The Ride-Subscription is available at ride-mtb.com/abo
.
Details of the tour
26 km
1975 m
1700 m
1290 above sea level
3255 above sea level
1 day
Gondo
Saas-Grund
1738
not suitable
More information
Video
More tours nearby
User comments (8)
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.
Zwischbergen Pass
I rode the tour on 19.09.2022. As the first snow had already fallen, I enquired at the Almagellerhütte the day before about the piste report. However, only the Weissmies was covered in snow, the pass itself was snow-free. So I set off by car into the Zwischbergental and parked my car at the no-driving zone (I probably could have ridden as far as Cheller without any problems). But this way I was able to drive as far as Alp Cheller, and from there I was more or less on foot. The tour is very aptly described (also in the comments). Initially over more or less steep alpine meadows, then over stony terrain and from about 2700m the trail markings change from red to blue and you hop from boulder to boulder. You can't see a path, just a trail marker somewhere on a boulder every 20m or so. The whole thing requires maximum concentration and good footwear. Despite (or perhaps thanks to) being in pretty good shape, it took me exactly 5 hours from Cheller. Thanks to the perfect weather, the panorama was sensational, a great reward for the exertions. The first few meters on the DH were also unthinkable to ride, but then it went quite smoothly to the SAC hut. From there, the trail became quite rough and I had to get off my bike countless times up to Almagelleralp and could only ride about 70%. From there (where you can also easily get there from Kreuzboden!) the real downhill fun followed. Shortly before Allmagell, I turned right and followed an old bisse to Saas Grund, a very fun alternative. All in all, I would only recommend this tour to people who have a special relationship with the Zwischbergental/Pass (like me) or who simply can't get this tour off their to-do list . I wouldn't advise anyone else to do this tour, it's never worth it in terms of biking. If you still want to try it, here are a few tips:
- Plan enough time
- Don't tackle the tour alone and only in good weather
- why not leave your bike at home for once?
- Book an overnight stay in Saas Grund and then explore the Saas Valley the following day (with the free train ticket from the hotel)
- Book an overnight stay in Saas Grund and then pick up the car in Zwischbergen the following day via Stalden-Staldenried-Gebidum-Fulmoos-Magelicke-Stockalperweg-Gondo
I ride a Scott Genius Ultimate and am usually in the head group uphill; downhill I'm always last, by a long way.
A very impressive tour in terms of the panorama. The ascent is very strenuous and should only be tackled when visibility is good. There is also a tricky section with a fixed rope to overcome. Don't be fooled by the moderate elevation gain, as various sections without an incline are also very strenuous due to the large boulders.
All in all, a special affair.
If you don't like it quite so strenuous, you can take the gondola from Saas-Grund to Hohesaas, descend from there and from Kreuzboden via the high trail (lots of hikers) towards Almagelleralp and then up to the Almageller Hütte, then on to the Zwischbergenpass. The first descent from the pass via Schieferstein is fun, but then becomes quite difficult (slippery and narrow) to the Almageller Hütte - I don't think this last stretch is worth it. You have to ride/carry about 1500 meters up. But you can also descend directly from the Almageller Hütte into the Saas Valley. The route is quite bumpy (but not steep).
too bad with 20 kg emtb it's not much fun. is the opposite direction also possible if you "only" want to ride up the intermediate mountain pass? i see it gets difficult from +/- 2200m.
Looks like you have to cross the Zwischbergen glacier at the edge, is that reasonably safe to walk on with a bike on your shoulders? I'm a bit wary of glaciers ... .
What would the tour be like in the opposite direction?
The tour is impossible in the opposite direction. Although the ascent would be somewhat more pleasant, the descent from the Zwischbergen Pass to the Galkialp is in fact not rideable for a single meter.
Where exactly can I find the GPX files for the routes?
I have a silver account but still can't see them.