Gspaltenhornhütte

The Gspaltenhornhütte is a mountain hut owned and operated by the Bern Section of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC). It sits at 2,455 metres above sea level on the western flank of the Gspaltenhorn in the Bernese Alps, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. The hut serves as a base for mountaineers and hikers exploring the surrounding peaks and passes, most notably the Gspaltenhorn (3,436 m) and the Büttlassen. It is a classic example of the SAC's network of alpine shelters, which provide accommodation and food in remote mountain settings. The hut's history dates back to 1902, when the first structure was built. After being damaged by natural forces, it was restored in 1910. In 1911, a wooden building with 20–30 sleeping places was erected at the foot of the Wildstein (2,615 m) by the Bern Section. By 1932, rockfall danger from the weathered rock above forced the club to close the hut in 1936 and demolish it after a new hut opened in 1937. That 1937 stone house, with 66 sleeping places, was destroyed by an avalanche in 1952. The current hut, built snugly against the rock, opened in 1953 with 75 sleeping places. In 2015, the capacity was reduced to 60 sleeping places, likely due to renovations or safety considerations. The hut is typically reached from Griesalp, a popular starting point. Longer approaches include the route from Mürren via the Sefinenfurgge (2,611 m), or from Oeschinensee (1,600 m) via the Hohtürli (2,778 m) and crossing the Gamchigletscher tongue (1,950 m). Experienced alpinists can also reach the hut from the Mutthornhütte via the Gamchilücke (2,836 m), involving climbing sections and glacier crossings. The hut is a key waypoint for climbs of the Gspaltenhorn and Büttlassen. As of 2023, the hut wardens are Monika Schmidlin and Thomas Jentsch. The official website provides booking information and current notices, such as water shortages affecting washing facilities. The hut remains an active and essential part of the Swiss Alpine Club's infrastructure, welcoming visitors during the summer season.

The Gspaltenhornhütte has a history marked by construction, destruction, and rebuilding, reflecting the challenges of maintaining shelter in the high Alps. The first hut was built in 1902 and restored in 1910, suggesting it had been damaged by natural forces. In 1911, the Bern Section of the Swiss Alpine Club erected a wooden building at the foot of the Wildstein (2,615 m) with 20–30 sleeping places. This hut served until 1936, when it was closed due to increasing rockfall danger from the weathered rock above. It was demolished after a new hut opened in 1937. That new stone hut, with 66 sleeping places, was destroyed by an avalanche in 1952. The current hut, built against the rock face, opened in 1953 with 75 sleeping places. In 2015, the capacity was reduced to 60 sleeping places. The hut has been managed by various wardens over the decades, with Monika Schmidlin and Thomas Jentsch taking over in 2023.

• 2023

  Monika Schmidlin and Thomas Jentsch become hut wardens.

• 2015

  Capacity reduced to 60 sleeping places.

• 1953

  Current hut opened with 75 sleeping places.

• 1952

  Stone hut destroyed by avalanche.

• 1937

  New stone hut with 66 sleeping places opened; old hut demolished.

• 1936

  Hut closed due to rockfall danger.

• 1911

  New wooden hut with 20–30 sleeping places built at Wildstein foot.

• 1910

  Hut restored after damage.

• 1902

  First hut built.

A traditional Swiss Alpine Club mountain hut providing essential shelter and services for alpinists in the Bernese Alps.

• Overnight accommodation

  60 sleeping places as of 2015.

• Meals

  Food and drinks for guests.

1. 1Gspaltenhornhütte | Gspaltenhornhütte Sac | Reichenbach Im Kandertalgspaltenhornhuette.ch
2. 2GESCHICHTE | Gspaltenhornhüttegspaltenhornhuette.ch
3. 3Gspaltenhornhütte - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Gspaltenhornhütte - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org