Gredetsch (Saffron) Valley Trail: Hiking the Wyssa & Stigwasser Bisse
Deep in the German-speaking upper region of Canton Valais, lies a V-shaped valley gorge carved by glacial runoff and pure human effort.
This is the Gredetsch Valley (Gredetschtal). For adrenaline-seeking hikers, it offers one of the most thrilling trails in Switzerland: a beautiful traverse along the Wyssa Bisse (ancient irrigation channel), a deep push toward a wild glacier bowl, and a high-altitude return along the sunny balconies of the Stigwasser Bisse.
Along the way, you will walk through centuries of alpine history, from medieval ghost ruins to Europe’s most exclusive "red gold" kingdoms. Here is your ultimate guide to enjoying this epic multi-bisse trek.
Route Summary
Route: Mund Village ➔ Wyssa Bisse ➔ Üssers Senntum (Inner Valley) ➔ Oberschta & Stigwasser Bisses ➔ Birgisch Village (plus Optional extension down to Brig).
Distance: 10.5 km (Standard route to Birgisch)
Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours of active hiking
Terrain: Steep mountain ascents, highly exposed cliffside boardwalks, wet rock tunnels, and gentle pine forest paths.
Trail Signs: Standard yellow hiking diamonds and red-and-white mountain trail markers. Keep an eye out for custom "Suonen" or "Bisses" logos on local signs.
Warning: T3 Difficulty. This trail is intended for sure-footed hikers with a complete absence of vertigo.
The Saffron Kingdoms: Mund & Birgisch
Your journey begins in Mund, a sun-baked village perched 1,200 m above the Rhône Valley. Mund holds an extraordinary title: it is the only place in Switzerland where saffron is still grown according to centuries-old traditions.
Legend says medieval mercenaries smuggled the precious Crocus sativus tubers into this remote valley from Spain in the 14th century, braving the threat of the death penalty. Every autumn, the terraces around Mund burst into a sea of purple blossoms, harvested completely by hand to produce the world's most expensive spice.
Before hitting the trail, it is highly recommended to visit the Saffron Museum (Safranmuseum). Housed in a beautifully preserved, historic tithe barn (Zehntenstadel) dating back to 1437, this tiny but fascinating museum chronicles the brutal agricultural history, tools, and tight cultural identity tied to Valaisan saffron cultivation.
Lifelines of the Valais: The History of the Bisse
To understand this trail, you must understand the water. The canton of Valais is a climatic anomaly; it is an incredibly dry, sun-parched region shielded from rain by the surrounding 4,000-meter peaks. To keep their crops, vineyards, and livestock alive, medieval farmers had to orchestrate a staggering engineering feat: the creation of the bisse system (known as Suonen in German).
Starting as early as the 11th and 12th centuries, communities banded together to build these gravity-fed irrigation channels, carving miles of narrow trenches directly into the mountainsides.
Built by Men Dangling in Baskets
Conquering vertical granite cliffs like the ones in the Gredetsch Valley required terrifying sacrifice. Builders—often chosen by local lottery—were lowered over the edges of sheer drops in wicker baskets suspended by fraying hemp ropes.
Dangling hundreds of feet in the air, they used hand chisels to carve out rock shelves or drive heavy iron beams into the stone. On these beams, they secured the Chunder - hollowed-out larch-wood troughs that carried the vital glacial meltwater across the abyss.
Maintenance was just as lethal. A designated guardian called a Wasserhüter lived in a tiny shack along the channel, constantly walking these precarious planks to clear debris and fix leaks. They relied on primitive wooden "water wheels" attached to hammers that struck stone; if the clicking rhythm stopped, the guardian knew the water had ceased to flow.
Walking the Wyssa Bisse today is a direct walk through their terrifying, gravity-defying history. See my other articles on bisse in the region, such as Torrent Neuf.
Phase 1: Defying Gravity on the Wyssa Bisse (or Bypassing the Abyss)
Leaving the rustic, dark larch-wood barns of Mund behind, you climb steeply into the mouth of the Gredetsch Valley. Soon, you encounter the rushing waters of the Wyssa Bisse. Built over 500 years ago, this channel is a prime testament to that lethal historic craftsmanship.
Cliff Path (Option A)
As you trace the channel, the ground beneath you disappears. The path transforms into narrow wooden boardwalks bolted directly into vertical cliff faces. To your left is a solid wall of granite; to your right, a dizzying, unprotected drop down into the roaring Mundbach river.
Trail Markers to Watch: Follow the yellow signposts out of Mund village marked "Wyssa" or "Suone Wyssa." As you enter the exposed gorge, the path transitions to the usual red-and-white mountain hiking trail (Bergwanderweg).
The 1-Kilometer Tunnel Bypass (Option B)
If you find yourself standing at the entrance to the Wyssa Bisse with rubbery knees, don't worry, there is an incredible alternative. Hikers who want to completely bypass the terrifying, exposed cliff sections can take a shortcut straight through the mountain.
A 1-kilometer-long illuminated water tunnel (Stollen) cuts directly through the solid granite. Walking through this chilly, wet subterranean passage is a thrill of its own. You walk on a flat path alongside the channeled water, entirely shielded from the dizzying drops outside.
Note: Even though it has basic lighting, carrying a headlamp or flashlight is highly recommended for safety. The tunnel safely ejects you directly into the quiet, upper sections of the inner valley, bypassing all vertigo-inducing obstacles.
Phase 2: Into the Autumn Glow of the Gredetschtal
Whether you braved the cliffs or walked through the mountain, the trails reconvene where the tight gorge opens into the stark, pristine alpine trough of the Gredetsch Valley. The trail follows the roaring glacial river upstream, guiding you deeper into an ancient, isolated world.
Early autumn is arguably the most spectacular season to witness the striking beauty of both sides of the valley. The towering, south-facing rock slopes on the western side bask in the crisp golden sunlight, throwing the deep green and amber alpine vegetation into sharp relief.
Opposite them, the steep eastern walls begin to capture the seasonal frost, creating a breathtaking canvas of contrast. Up and down the gorge, the low autumn sun illuminates the churning glacial sediment of the river below, casting a brilliant turquoise glow against the darkening stone.
The Ruins of the Alp
As you reach the inner valley basin at Üssers Senntum (1,550m), you will encounter the stark, weathered stone walls of abandoned mountain ruins. Trail Markers to Watch: Keep walking upstream following the yellow trail signs marked "Gredetschtal" or "Üssers Senntum."
Once you reach the stone huts, look for the signpost indicating the bridge crossing over the Mundbach to head back down the eastern slope. Note that there is no official trail up the rest of the valley towards the glacier, but despite the difficulty it might be interesting to do that long trek one day…
Phase 3: The High Balcony Return via the Stigwasser Bisse
After crossing the bridge over the roaring Mundbach at Üssers Senntum, you trace the eastern flank of the valley to begin your return leg. The adrenaline of the Wyssa gives way to alpine serenity.
You hook into the Oberschta and Stigwasser Bisses, two gentler sister canals first documented in the 1500s. The return trail guides you through high, sun-dappled larch forests and vibrant green alpine pastures. Here, the sheer cliffs are replaced by sweeping, panoramic "balcony" views across the vast Rhône Valley below.
As you follow the gentle, soothing gurgle of the Stigwasser, you will likely share the path with the region's most famous residents: the iconic, spiral-horned Valais Black-Nosed sheep grazing lazily along the water's edge.
Trail Markers to Watch: Follow the directional indicators marked "Stigwasser" or "Birgisch." The trail drops back down to standard yellow hiking markers, Note that there are multiple possible parallel routes in this area so use planning and GPS map tracking to make sure you follow your chosen route.
Finale: Feasting in Birgisch
The Stigwasser Bisse naturally guides you out of the valley's mouth and rolls straight into the quiet, sun-baked streets of Birgisch. Your knees will be tired, your heart will still be pumping from the excitement, and the sweet mountain air will feel completely rewarding.
Before making your way home, you could reward your efforts at Restaurant Zer Mili (located just on the edge of the village area) or one of the traditional village taverns:
The Saffron Experience: You cannot leave the region without tasting its history. Order a plate of authentic Munder Saffron Risotto - a creamy, golden dish infused with the hand-picked stamens from the very fields you started in.
Valais Comfort Food: If you need heavy post-hike fuel, look for Walliser Cholera. Far from what the grim name implies, this is a delicious, traditional baked pastry pie stuffed with potatoes, leeks, apples, onions, and melted local raclette cheese—invented during epidemic isolation centuries ago when farmers had to bake with whatever was left in the cellar.
Looking for an Extra Challenge?
While most hikers opt to hop on the PostBus from Birgisch to conclude their journey, true endurance hikers can skip the bus entirely. For a final challenge, you can continue on foot all the way downhill to the Brig train station (678m).
This extension adds roughly 5 kilometers of continuous descent, dropping nearly 400 vertical meters through historic stepping paths and hillside hamlets. It is an excellent way to cap off the day, placing you directly at the regional transit hub with no need to check bus timetables. See my other articles on hiking routes in and around Brig.
This route was hiked by the author partially in winter in 2019, which was pretty but difficult and somewhat dangerous, then properly on the 14th of November 2021. Contact me by email for photos or to ask questions.
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