66 m away
Weissmies, 4017m, from Hohsaas
A very popular route to a relatively easy 4000m peak, also commonly climbed in the spring as a ski tour
Moderate Alpine Climbing
- Distance
- 6 km
- Ascent
- 981 m
- Descent
- 981 m
A great one day trip to the summit of a gorgeous 4000er
Alpine Climbing Moderate
The Saas valley is home to many 4000ers and the Lagginhorn is - with good reason - one of the most popular. It can be climbed after a night in the nearby Weissmies Hut but is also perfectly possible as a return trip from the top of the Hohsaas cable car. We've described it that way.
From the cable car station make an ascending traverse northwards across an open bowl of scree and then cross a small ridge to reach the snow patch at the foot of the Lagginhorn's south-west face.
The snow patch is slightly exposed to stone fall from above so although there's no need to rush across it, don't linger any longer than necessary when crossing it. Once on the far side of it scramble up easily onto the blunt bottom section of the Lagginhorn's West ridge.
Once on the ridge there are no major landmarks to aim for, just mile after mile of fun, easy scrambling and the occasional steep (but still easy) step. The ridge leads almost to the summit but ends just shy of the top when it reaches a snowfield. Climb the snowfield, which is around 40 degrees and exposed above a pretty big drop - take your time when climbing it and don't pat yourself on the back until you're safely up (and back down) it!
The view from the summit across the other 4000ers of the Saas valley is utterly spectacular, and the vista across the nearby Weissmies is particularly impressive.
Descend the same way back to the Hohsaas station or, if you've got some extra energy, follow the Lagginhorn's West ridge all the way down until it dissipates into a scree slope and descend this on a good path down to the top of the Kreuzboden lift (the first of 2 cable cars you ride to reach Hohsaas).
Moderate
May involve slightly more complex glacier hikes, easy but possibly long rock ridges and steep snow up to 45 degrees. Equivalent to PD, PD+
66 m away
A very popular route to a relatively easy 4000m peak, also commonly climbed in the spring as a ski tour
Moderate Alpine Climbing
3.8 km away
A fantastic traverse of a popular peak, starting from a remote hut.
Moderate Alpine Climbing
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A great route traversing two 4000m peaks, with excellent rock towards the summit of the Nadelhorn
Difficult Alpine Climbing
9.8 km away
A long glacial journey up a complicated glacier to a remote summit.
Moderate Alpine Climbing
9.9 km away
A long journey up a relatively straightforward snowy peak, popular in the spring too.
Moderate Alpine Climbing
9.9 km away
A beautiful summit with a characteristic sawtooth N Ridge, here climbed most easily from the opposite side.
Moderate Alpine Climbing
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A classic route and an aesthetic line.
Moderate Alpine Climbing
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