Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges

The Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges is a mountain refuge in the Swiss canton of Valais, situated on the right bank of the Val d'Arolla. It was built in 1948 and inaugurated in June 1949, originally funded by the parents of Hans Ueli von Waldkirch, a young Geneva medical student who died in an accident on the Bertol arête. The hut was constructed by eight workers using stone and sand from nearby scree and moraines, with a shingle roof and an initial capacity of 21 beds plus a three-bed room reserved for the von Waldkirch family. Its first guardian was Maurice Maître, a carpenter from Evolène who had worked on the construction. Over the decades the hut has been expanded and modernised. In 1975, a first enlargement added four dormitories and a large dining room, and the roof was covered in copper. In 1991, the Club alpin académique de Genève launched a second phase of works, creating a new dining room, a living space for the guardian and family, a wooden annex, an enlarged kitchen, and a new washroom supplied by rainwater collected from the roof. In 2011, the Club alpin académique de Genève transferred the hut to the newly created Association de la Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges, whose objectives include the preservation and renovation of the hut. The association built a winter room in 2016, completed and inaugurated in 2019. The hut is a stage on the Tour des Aiguilles-Rouges and lies on the routes to the Pointe de Vouasson and the Mont de l'Étoile. Access is possible via the normal route from Arolla through Pra Gra and the Col des Ignes, or from La Gouille via the Lac Bleu. The guardian, Bernard Maître, known as "Boum", has been a well-known figure at the hut. The Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges continues to serve hikers, climbers, and nature lovers, offering a base for alpine excursions in a spectacular high-mountain setting.

The Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges was initiated in memory of Hans Ueli von Waldkirch, a young Geneva medical student and member of the Club alpin académique de Genève, who died in an accident on the Bertol arête. The project was financed by his parents, who used the money intended for his future medical practice. The hut was built during 1948 by eight workers, using stone and sand from the nearby scree and moraines. The roof was covered with shingles. The hut was designed for a capacity of 21 beds, plus a three-bed room reserved for the von Waldkirch family. It was inaugurated in June 1949. Its first guardian was Maurice Maître, a carpenter from Evolène who had participated in the construction. In 1975, faced with the narrowness of the initial hut, expansion work began. The original hut was stripped of its north facade, to which a new building was added, housing four dormitories and a large dining room. The roof lost its shingles in favour of a copper covering. Despite the transformations, the hut remained spartan and the guardian lived in cramped conditions. In 1991, the Club alpin académique de Genève launched a second phase of works. A new dining room was created, as well as a space for the guardian and family. A wooden annex was erected, the kitchen enlarged, and a new washroom was created, supplied by rainwater collected from the hut's roof. In 2011, following a vote, the Club alpin académique de Genève ceded the hut to the newly created Association de la Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges. The association, whose objectives include the safeguarding and renovation of the Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges, launched the construction of a winter room in 2016, which was completed and inaugurated in 2019. Access to the hut can be made via the normal route from Arolla through Pra Gra and the Col des Ignes, or from La Gouille via the Lac Bleu. The hut is a stage on the Tour des Aiguilles-Rouges and is on the itinerary of the Pointe de Vouasson and the Mont de l'Étoile.

• 2019

  Winter room completed and inaugurated.

• 2016

  Construction of a winter room begins.

• 2011

  Club alpin académique de Genève cedes the hut to the newly created Association de la Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges.

• 1991

  Second phase of works by Club alpin académique de Genève: new dining room, guardian's quarters, wooden annex, enlarged kitchen, new washroom.

• 1975

  First enlargement: four dormitories and a large dining room added; roof covered in copper.

• 1949

  Inauguration of the hut in June; Maurice Maître becomes first guardian.

• 1948

  Construction of the hut by eight workers.

A traditional, convivial alpine refuge serving hikers, climbers, and nature observers in the Val d'Arolla, with a strong heritage and community focus.

• Overnight accommodation (dormitories)

• Meals and refreshments

• Winter room (since 2019)

1. 1Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges | Cabane des Aiguilles-Rougesaiguillesrouges.ch
2. 2Cabane des Aiguilles-Rougesfr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Cabane des Aiguilles Rougeswikidata.org