Badushütte – Small Alpine Hut & Val d’Hérens High-Hiking Base

The Badushütte is a small, little-known alpine hut located above the Arolla valley in the Val d’Hérens (Valais). Quiet and minimally equipped, it serves primarily as a high-alpine hiking refuge and simple overnight shelter for those exploring lesser-travelled routes in the Arolla region. It is chosen for its remoteness and simplicity, not for comfort or technical mountaineering.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Arolla / Val d’Hérens, Canton of Valais, Switzerland

  • Altitude: ~2,500 m

  • Type: Small mountain hut / unguarded refuge

  • Capacity: Approx. 10–12 sleeping places

  • Season: Typically July to September (snow-dependent)

  • Management: Local alpine or communal association

• Access & Approaches

  Access is via alpine hiking terrain and requires good fitness.

  • Main approach: From Arolla

  • Hiking time: ~3.5–5 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~900–1,200 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, grassy slopes, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T3

  No glacier travel is normally required in summer, but weather can change rapidly.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are very basic and intended for autonomous use.

  • Simple sleeping platforms or bunks

  • No catering or staff

  • No electricity

  • No running water (nearby streams or snowmelt, depending on season)

  Visitors must bring food, stove, and all essentials.

• Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is quiet and isolated.

  • Rarely crowded

  • Nights are calm and simple

  • Ideal for small groups or solo hikers seeking solitude

  This is a hut for those who value silence and self-reliance.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Badushütte fits naturally into:

  • High-alpine hiking routes around Arolla

  • Quiet link-ups between valleys and ridges

  • Photography and nature-focused itineraries

  • Educational outings for navigation and autonomy

  It is not intended for glacier crossings or 4,000 m objectives.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to early September

  • Main risks: Storms, fog, cold nights, isolation

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced hikers

  • Trekking minimalists

  • Visitors seeking remote, low-profile alpine shelters

  • Not suitable for beginners or those expecting services

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At around 2,500 m, the Badushütte represents the most discreet level of alpine infrastructure in the Val d’Hérens. Its value lies in freedom and quiet—a simple roof in a beautiful landscape, offering shelter without distraction. It is ideal for those who see the hut as a tool, not a destination.