Kesch-Hütte

The Kesch-Hütte SAC (Romansh: Chamanna digl Kesch) is a mountain hut of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC), Sektion Davos, located at 2,625 m above sea level on the Fuorcla Funtauna, east of Bergün/Bravuogn in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It sits at the foot of the Piz Kesch, near the Porchabella Glacier, within the Ela Nature Park. The hut is a hospitality and accommodation brand operated by the SAC, offering dormitory beds, meals and a base for alpine activities. The first Kesch-Hütte was built in 1893 as a small shelter for 18 to 20 people. As alpinism grew, the hut was repeatedly expanded and renovated, notably in 1916 and 1968. The old hut was demolished and a completely new building was constructed in 2000, opening for the summer season of 2001. The new hut is known for its modern infrastructure and its environmentally friendly energy concept, which earned it the Swiss Solar Prize and, since 2006, the European Union eco-label. The hut offers 92 sleeping places in 5-bed and 12-bed rooms and is staffed in summer (mid-June to mid-October) and winter (March to mid-May). It serves hikers, mountaineers, climbers, mountain bikers, seminar groups and families. It is a stage point on the Kesch-Trek and a base for summit tours to Piz Kesch, Piz Forun, Keschnadel and others, as well as glacier and ski tours. Neighbouring huts include the Grialetschhütte and the Es-cha-Hütte. The Kesch-Hütte is not a commercial corporation but a non-profit alpine club facility; its "brand" is the hut itself and the hospitality experience it provides. It is reachable on foot from Punts d'Alp, Davos-Sertig, Davos-Dürrboden, Cinuos-chel and other trailheads, with walking times ranging from about 2.5 to 5.5 hours.

The first Kesch-Hütte was built in the summer of 1893 by the Sektion Davos of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) at 2,631 m above sea level, providing space for 18 to 20 people. It was a small shelter located not far from the present site. As alpinism developed and overnight stays increased, the hut underwent several new constructions, extensions and conversions. The first major extension and conversion took place in 1916, followed by further works. In 1968 the hut was expanded according to plans by Jakob Eschenmoser. At the end of the 1990s, the SAC Sektion Davos received part of the estate of Peter Ettinger from Davos, which was decisive in deciding whether to expand the old hut or build a new one nearby. The members of the Sektion Davos chose the latter option. After meticulous planning and cooperation with the authorities, construction of the new building began in 2000. Final works and commissioning of the new hut took place at the start of the summer season in 2001. The old hut was demolished. The new Kesch-Hütte offers modern infrastructure and is considered a technical masterpiece of its time. For its energy supply it makes full use of the sun, earning it the Swiss Solar Prize for particularly environmentally friendly construction. Since 2006 it has carried the European Union eco-label. Solar collectors (for hot water) and solar cells (for electricity production) are supported by a small hydroelectric plant below the hut and, since summer 2011, additionally by two wind generators (Air-X Land model). The hut has been managed by various hut wardens over the decades, including mountain guides and local families. From 2009 to 2020 Ursina and Reto Barblan from Bergün served as hut wardens; from 2020 to 2025 Ursula Schweizer and mountain guide Balthasar Dinkelacker from Steffisburg; and from 2025 Olivia Schär and Martin Heiz from Bergün. The Kesch-Hütte is a stage point on the Kesch-Trek and a base for numerous alpine activities. It offers 92 sleeping places in 5-bed and 12-bed rooms and is staffed in summer (mid-June to mid-October) and winter (March to mid-May).

• 2011

  Two wind generators (Air-X Land) added to the energy system.

• 2006

  Hut receives the European Union eco-label.

• 2001

  New hut commissioned at the start of the summer season.

• 2000

  Construction of the new hut begins; old hut demolished.

• 1968

  Expansion according to plans by Jakob Eschenmoser.

• 1916

  First extension and conversion of the hut.

• 1893

  First Kesch-Hütte built by SAC Sektion Davos at 2,631 m, space for 18-20 people.

A modern, environmentally certified SAC mountain hut in the Ela Nature Park, welcoming hikers, climbers, bikers and families.

• Overnight stays

  92 sleeping places in 5-bed and 12-bed rooms.

• Half-board meals

  Meals for hut guests.

• Seminars and group stays

  Facilities for seminars and groups.

1. 1Kesch-Hütte SAC official websitekesch-huette.ch
2. 2Kesch-Hütte SAC history pagekesch-huette.ch
3. 3Keschhütte on Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Kesch-Hütte on German Wikipediade.wikipedia.org