Allalinhorn
4,027 m
Switzerland
Also known as Алалинхорн, ალალინჰორნი, +1Also known as
Алалинхорн · ალალინჰორნი · Аллалинхорн
- Elevation
- 4,027 m
- Prominence
- 257 m
- Difficulty
- 5/10
- Easy alpine
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 2
AdvisoryReported 20 Sep 2026
The Britanniahütte was staffed from 19 June to 19 September 2026 and is now closed, along with the Britannia via ferrata and the Glacier Trail; reservations for 2027 open in November 2026.
britannia.chAdvisoryReported 20 Jun 2026 · until 31 Oct 2026
Summer/autumn 2026 lift operation: Metro Alpin (Felskinn–Mittelallalin) 20 June – 31 October, 07:15–15:30 until 30 August, then progressively later starts (08:45 from 6 October); Alpin Express listed from 18 July with first runs from 07:00. Check the Saas-Fee timetable for the access before mid-July.
saas-fee.ch
Routes
2Sources differ: F (Camptocamp) · F+ (SummitPost)
One of the shortest ascents of any 4,000 m peak: the Metro Alpin underground funicular from Saas-Fee leaves only about 570 m of crevassed glacier to the Feejoch (3,807 m) and an easy snow flank and summit rocks to the cross. Usually 2¼–3 hours up; seracs and very large crevasses are the real hazards.
About 100% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 4 check notes
- 100% approximate geometry
- Mittelallalin → Feejoch: glacier (snap_failed, 2.0 km)
- Feejoch → Allalinhorn: glacier (snap_failed, 0.7 km)
- unresolved waypoints: Feegletscher
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 2.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +584 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 4,027 m
- Time Up
- 2h 18m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 32m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Saas-Fee take the Alpin Express gondola to Felskinn and the Metro Alpin underground funicular to Mittelallalin (3,456 m). Walk level along the broad ski piste to the two ski lifts below the Hinter Allalingrat, then go gently up the Feegletscher towards the Feechopf, keeping well away from the serac zone up to the left (south). A short steep slope leads to an enormous crevasse that crosses the whole north flank; early in the season it can usually be bypassed at its western end, later it may require a detour under the Feechopf. Continue up and diagonally right to the Feejoch (3,807 m), about 1½ hours. From the Feejoch follow the broad west flank up and round onto the south-west flank, pass south of the summit and cut back left (north) near the top to climb the final rocky outcrop to the summit cross (4,027 m), about ¾ hour. Descend the same way, or traverse the short summit ridge and return to the col. The route is heavily used and usually well tracked, but the difficulty depends on the crevasse situation: rope up, keep crevasse-rescue skills current, and expect ice on the summit slope late in the season. Watch the lift times: the first Metro Alpin is around 07:15 in high summer and the last ride down is in mid-afternoon. Coming straight from the valley to 3,456 m, many people feel the altitude.
Start
Mittelallalin3,450 m
- Saas-Fee–Felskinn (Alpin Express) and Felskinn–Mittelallalin (Metro Alpin); summer 2026 Metro Alpin 20 June – 31 October, first run 07:15 in high summer, last 15:30
- Train to Visp, PostBus to Saas-Fee, then the Alpin Express gondola to Felskinn and the Metro Alpin to Mittelallalin.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mittelallalin → Allalinhorn | 2.7 | 584 | 7 | 2h 18m |
Waypoints
- Station: Mittelallalin3,450 m
Top station of the Metro Alpin underground funicular
- Col: Feejoch3,810 m
- Summit: Allalinhorn4,027 m
Key Passages
- Serac zone on the Feegletscher (keep well away)
- Large crevasse across the north flank below the Feejoch
- Feejoch
- Final rocky outcrop below the summit cross
Equipment
0/8 packedDownloads
Route confidence 55%Overview
A glaciated 4,027 m peak above Saas-Fee and one of the most climbed 4,000ers in the Alps: the Metro Alpin underground funicular to Mittelallalin leaves only about 570 m of glacier (PD-) to the summit. The Hohlaubgrat from the Britanniahütte (AD) is the classic, more interesting alternative.
The Allalinhorn rises between the Saastal and the Mattertal at the head of the Feegletscher, about 7 km south-south-west of Saas-Fee, in the group that also includes the Alphubel, Rimpfischhorn and Strahlhorn. From the Saas valley it looks like a neat glacier-covered triangle; in fact four curved ridges meet at the summit, and the south side is a large rock face. Since 1984 the Metro Alpin has run through its north flank to Mittelallalin (3,456 m), which is why the peak sees climbers almost all year round, on foot in summer and on ski in spring.
The normal route crosses the Feegletscher to the Feejoch (3,807 m) and climbs the broad west flank to a rocky summit cross. It is graded F to PD- and takes 2¼–3 hours, but it is a real glacier route: there are seracs to keep away from and crevasses large enough to swallow a party, and the quick lift ride means many people arrive unacclimatised. The Hohlaubgrat, an airy snow ridge with a short equipped rock band, is the better climb and is usually done from the Britanniahütte.
For many people this is a first 4,000 m summit, often with a guide; for others it is an acclimatisation day before longer Saas or Zermatt climbs. The views take in the Mischabel, Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and the Bernese Alps.
Climbing Notes
You need basic glacier skills (roped travel, crampons, ice axe, crevasse rescue) and normal mountain fitness; the ascent is only about 570 m from Mittelallalin. Acclimatisation is the main issue: a night or two in Saas-Fee or at a hut first, or an easier day at altitude, makes a big difference. Parties without glacier experience should hire a guide.
Typical day: first Alpin Express and Metro Alpin (around 07:00–07:15 in high summer), about 2½–3 hours to the summit, back to Mittelallalin before the last run down (15:30 in 2026). Conditions are usually best from late June to August; by late summer the summit slope can be icy and the crevasses more open. For the Hohlaubgrat, spend the night at the Britanniahütte (45 minutes from Felskinn) or use the Hohlaub stop of the Metro Alpin.
History
German Wikipedia credits the first ascent to Edward Levi Ames with Franz Andenmatten and a guide named Imseng on 28 August 1856. The present normal route by the north-west flank was first climbed on 1 August 1860 by Leslie Stephen, Frederick William Jacomb, W. F. Short and C. Fisher with the guides Franz-Josef Andenmatten, Moritz Anthamatten, Peter Taugwalder and Johann Kronig; the SAC Route Portal gives this party as the first ascenders. The Hohlaubgrat was first descended in 1882 and climbed in 1887. The Metro Alpin opened in 1984.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Winter ski ascents from the lifts; very cold
- Feb
- Winter ski ascents
- Mar
- Ski-touring season
- Apr
- Ski-touring season
- May
- Lift revision periods possible; check Metro Alpin operation
- Jun
- Metro Alpin summer service from late June (2026: 20 June); Britanniahütte opens mid-June
- Jul
- Main season; well tracked
- Aug
- Main season; crevasses open up, summit can be icy
- Sep
- Britanniahütte closes around mid-September; icier conditions
- Oct
- Metro Alpin runs to the end of October; short days, early snow
- Nov
- Early-winter conditions; check lift operation
- Dec
- Winter ski ascents
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Britanniahütte SAC: via britannia.ch (reservations for 2027 open from November 2026), +41 27 957 22 88, hello@britannia.ch.
- Fees
- Alpin Express + Metro Alpin ticket Saas-Fee–Mittelallalin (CHF 53 single in 2026 per Camptocamp)
- Saas-Fee car park (about CHF 20–24 per 24 h)
- Britanniahütte overnight fee for the Hohlaubgrat
- Rules
- Saas-Fee is car-free: park at the car park at the village entrance
- The SaastalCard (free lifts for overnight guests) does not cover the Metro Alpin
- The Metro Alpin intermediate stop at Hohlaub must be requested at Felskinn; there is no way back into the station from the glacier
- Getting There
Saas-Fee
Geneva (GVA), Zurich (ZRH) or Milan Malpensa (MXP)
- Train to Visp (Lötschberg or Simplon line), then PostBus to Saas-Fee (about 50 minutes)
- By car: Visp–Saas-Fee road; car park at the entrance of Saas-Fee
- Alpin Express gondola Saas-Fee–Felskinn, then Metro Alpin Felskinn–Mittelallalin
Hazards
- Glacier
- Crevasses
- Altitude
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 3,030 m
BritanniahütteHutStaffedBooking required
Summer (2026: 19 June – 19 September) and spring ski-touring season