Oberaletsch mountain hut

Oberaletschhütte (also referred to in the plural as Oberaletschhütten) is a mountain hut owned and operated by the Sektion Chasseral of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC). It sits at an elevation of 2,640 metres above sea level on the west ridge of the Grosses Fusshorn, above the Oberaletsch Glacier in the Bernese Alps, within the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn region recognised as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The hut is a classic high-alpine base for mountaineers and hikers, offering dormitory accommodation and simple meals during the guarded season. The first hut on the site was built in 1890 by the Sektion Chasseral at 2,600 metres and provided 14 sleeping places. Its stated altitude was 2,670 metres until 1931 and was corrected to 2,609 metres in 1933. In 1925 the Bernoud-Hütte, built the previous year on the Torberg, was destroyed by an avalanche. In 1928 a second, larger stone hut was built 40 metres above the old Oberaletschhütte. This Alex. Bernoud-Hütte (New Oberaletsch Hut) was enlarged in 1969, but only two years later the new structure was destroyed by fire. The replacement hut built in 1973 still stands today and offers 58 sleeping places during the guarded period. Twelve additional sleeping places, accessible also in winter, are located in the old 1890 hut, which is equipped with a wood stove. Access to the hut is on foot only. The shortest approach takes four to five hours from the Belalp cable-car station, initially on a broad path to Hotel Belalp, then descending via the 'Steigglen' and following the old path past point 2053 along the slope to the southern, old moraine of the Oberaletsch Glacier. The route then descends through the gorge of the glacier stream, crosses the bridge and climbs onto the old northern lateral moraine, following it to its end and continuing up to about 2,600 metres. From there it is a good hour on the panoramic path built in 2005, which runs at a constant elevation. Alternatively the hut can be reached in about five to eight hours from the Riederalp, descending via the Riederfurka to the suspension bridge over the glacier stream of the Aletsch Glacier opened in 2008. On the Aletschji side a newly marked connecting path joins the ascent route from Belalp. The most frequently climbed high tour from the Oberaletschhütte is the ascent of the Aletschhorn (4,194 m) via the south-west rib (ZS), for which six to ten hours should be allowed. Other tour options include the Nesthorn (3,820 m), Sattelhorn (3,744 m), Grosses Fusshorn (3,627 m), Schinhorn (3,796 m) and Geisshorn (3,740 m). The hut is a well-known fixture of the SAC hut network and of alpine tourism in the Valais.

The Oberaletschhütte is a mountain hut of the Sektion Chasseral of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC), located at 2,640 metres above sea level on the west ridge of the Grosses Fusshorn, above the Oberaletsch Glacier in the Bernese Alps, in the region recognised as the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn. The first hut was built in 1890 at 2,600 metres by the Sektion Chasseral and offered 14 sleeping places. Its stated altitude was 2,670 metres until 1931 and was corrected to 2,609 metres in 1933. In 1925 the Bernoud-Hütte, which had been built the previous year on the Torberg, was destroyed by an avalanche. In 1928 a second, larger stone hut was built 40 metres above the old Oberaletschhütte. This Alex. Bernoud-Hütte (New Oberaletsch Hut) was enlarged in 1969, but only two years later this new building was destroyed by fire. The hut built in 1973 as a replacement still stands today and offers guests 58 sleeping places during the guarded period. Twelve further sleeping places, which are also accessible in winter, are located in the old hut built in 1890, which is equipped with a wood stove. Access to the hut is on foot. The shortest approach takes four to five hours from the Belalp cable-car station, first on a broad path to Hotel Belalp. Then one descends via the 'Steigglen' and follows the old path past point 2053 along the slope to the southern, old moraine of the Oberaletsch Glacier. The route then goes down through the gorge of the glacier stream, over the bridge and up onto the old northern lateral moraine. One follows this up to its end and continues climbing to about 2,600 metres. From there it is a good hour on the panoramic path, built in 2005, which runs at a constant elevation. Alternatively the hut can be reached in about five to eight hours from the Riederalp, descending via the Riederfurka to the suspension bridge over the glacier stream of the Aletsch Glacier opened in 2008. On the Aletschji side a newly marked connecting path meets the ascent route from Belalp. The most frequently climbed high tour from the Oberaletschhütte is the ascent of the Aletschhorn (4,194 m) via the south-west rib (ZS). Six to ten hours should be allowed for this tour. Other tour options are the Nesthorn (3,820 m), Sattelhorn (3,744 m), Grosses Fusshorn (3,627 m), Schinhorn (3,796 m) and Geisshorn (3,740 m).

• 2008

  A suspension bridge over the glacier stream of the Aletsch Glacier opens, enabling access from Riederalp.

• 2005

  A panoramic path at constant elevation is built on the final approach from Belalp.

• 1973

  A replacement hut is built and remains in use, offering 58 sleeping places during the guarded period.

• 1971

  The enlarged new hut is destroyed by fire.

• 1969

  The Alex. Bernoud-Hütte is enlarged.

• 1933

  The altitude of the old hut is corrected to 2,609 m.

• 1931

  The stated altitude of the old hut is changed from 2,670 m.

• 1928

  A second, larger stone hut (Alex. Bernoud-Hütte / New Oberaletsch Hut) is built 40 m above the old hut.

• 1925

  The Bernoud-Hütte is destroyed by an avalanche.

• 1924

  Bernoud-Hütte built on the Torberg.

• 1890

  First Oberaletschhütte built by the Sektion Chasseral of the SAC at 2,600 m, with 14 sleeping places.

A traditional Swiss Alpine Club high-mountain hut in the UNESCO Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn World Heritage region, positioned as a mountaineering base rather than a hotel.

• Guarded-season dormitory (58 beds)

  Main accommodation in the 1973 hut during the guarded period.

• Winter room (12 beds)

  Sleeping places in the old 1890 hut, accessible in winter and equipped with a wood stove.

• Hut catering

  Simple meals and drinks for overnight guests and day visitors.

1. 1Oberaletsch mountain hut (Wikidata)wikidata.org
2. 2Oberaletschhütte (German Wikipedia)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Oberaletschhütte official websiteoberaletsch.ch