Bergseehütte SAC – High-Alpine Hut & Damma Glacier Base

The Bergseehütte SAC is a classic high-alpine hut located above the Göscheneralp, in the Canton of Uri, directly overlooking the Damma Glacier. Well known among alpinists and alpine hikers, it combines a relatively accessible approach with immediate exposure to glaciated terrain. The hut plays an important role as both a training base for glacier travel and a stage hut for alpine traverses in the Central Alps.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Göscheneralp / Damma Glacier, Canton of Uri, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,370 m

  • Type: Serviced SAC alpine hut (with winter room)

  • Capacity: Approx. 55–60 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-June to late September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is alpine but comparatively efficient for its setting.

  • Main approach: From Göscheneralp reservoir

  • Hiking time: ~3–4 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~800–900 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, moraines, rocky steps

  • Difficulty: T3

  No glacier travel is required to reach the hut in summer, but snowfields may persist early in the season.

• Facilities & Comfort

  The Bergseehütte offers reliable and traditional SAC comfort.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during the guarded season

  • Drinking water available

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is basic and intended for autonomous use.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is friendly, focused, and alpine.

  • Hearty Swiss alpine meals

  • Mix of hikers, alpinists, and training groups

  • Evenings often spent discussing glacier conditions and routes

  Thanks to its accessibility, the hut is popular but rarely feels overcrowded.

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard SAC hut prices

  • Discounts: SAC member discounts apply

  • Booking: Recommended, especially on summer weekends

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Bergseehütte is an excellent base for:

  • Glacier training on the Damma Glacier

  • Ascents of nearby alpine peaks (3,000 m class)

  • High-alpine hiking routes in the Göscheneralp region

  • Traverses toward Sidelenhütte and other Gotthard-region huts

  • Spring ski touring routes (conditions permitting)

  Glacier equipment is required for all glacier routes beyond the hut.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Spring: Ski touring and glacier travel

  • Main risks: Crevasses, fog, rapid weather changes

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Alpinists and glacier-training groups

  • Ski tourers

  • Visitors transitioning from hiking to glaciated terrain

  • Not suitable for casual walkers without mountain experience

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,370 m, the Bergseehütte SAC is one of the most effective gateways into real alpine terrain in Central Switzerland. Its close proximity to the Damma Glacier, combined with a manageable approach, makes it ideal for learning, progression, and classic alpine days—practical, scenic, and deeply rooted in Swiss alpine tradition.