Cabane de Prafleuri CAS – Alpine Hut & High-Plateau Guide

The Cabane de Prafleuri CAS sits in the heart of the Grand Désert, one of the most austere and atmospheric high plateaus in the Valais. Isolated, windswept, and mineral in character, it is a key crossing point on long alpine traverses and Haute Route variants. Less about summits and more about landscape and distance, Prafleuri embodies classic high-mountain trekking.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Grand Désert, Val de Bagnes, Canton of Valais, Switzerland

  • Altitude:2,662 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 90–100 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-June to late September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (CAS)

• Access & Approaches

  Access routes are long and exposed, reflecting the plateau’s remote nature.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Barrage de Mauvoisin

    • From Siviez / Val des Dix

  • Hiking time: ~4.5–6 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~900–1,300 m

  • Terrain: Alpine trails, moraines, rocky desert-like plateau

  • Difficulty: T3

  Once on the plateau, navigation can be challenging in fog or storms.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Despite its isolation, the hut offers solid CAS-standard comfort.

  • Large dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals

  • Drinking water available

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is functional but requires full autonomy.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere at Prafleuri is calm and expedition-like.

  • Simple, energy-rich alpine meals

  • International mix of long-distance hikers and alpinists

  • Quiet evenings shaped by weather and distance covered

  This is a hut where days feel long and purposeful.

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard CAS hut prices

  • Discounts: CAS member discounts apply

  • Booking: Strongly recommended in summer

  • Payment: Cash preferred

  Due to its role on major traverses, the hut often fills up.

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Cabane de Prafleuri is a strategic alpine crossroads:

  • Haute Route variants (Prafleuri ↔ Dix / Chanrion)

  • Traverses across the Grand Désert

  • Long-distance alpine trekking routes

  • Ski touring crossings in spring

  Most routes are non-technical but physically demanding.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Wind exposure, rapid weather changes

  • Main risks: Fog, storms, exhaustion due to long distances

  Good weather windows and early starts are essential.

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced hikers

  • Long-distance alpine trekkers

  • Ski tourers (spring)

  • Alpinists on traverses

  • Not suitable for casual or short hikes

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,662 m, the Cabane de Prafleuri CAS is less about peaks and more about passage. Its position in the stark Grand Désert makes it one of the most characterful huts in the Valais—an essential stop for those who value solitude, scale, and the timeless feeling of moving through high alpine space.