Timeline
04:42
Mattmark Reservoir Circular Trail
Take the bus from Saas-Grund or Saas-Almagell to Mattmark. Arrive early to park and walk the access road to the reservoir edge. The area is off-limits in winter due to avalanche risk, so ensure you are visiting during the open summer months or the specific spring date chosen. Settle in by the water as the sky begins to lighten.
06:42
Mattmark Reservoir Circular Trail
Watch the sunrise. On this date, the sun rises at 06:42, casting a WNW glow over the hydraulic water plant and the lake. The golden light begins around 19:34, but the morning sunrise offers a crisp, quiet start to the day.
07:12
Mattmark Reservoir Circular Trail
Walk to the restaurant at the bus stop. Enjoy breakfast or coffee here. The restaurant features an exhibition on the construction and running of the hydraulic plant. This is a good starting point for many longer hikes if you have energy left, but staying for a warm drink is the perfect end to the morning ritual.
Local tip
The access road is only open during the summer months. Verify the current season and road status before traveling, as the whole area is off limits during winter due to avalanche risk.
Check before you go
- Confirm the access road to Mattmark is open for the season.
- Check bus schedules from Saas-Grund or Saas-Almagell to ensure you arrive before sunrise.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Saas-Fee (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).