Cabane de Prarochet – Alpine Hut Guide

The Cabane de Prarochet is a strategically located mountain hut set on the Tsanfleuron karst plateau (Lapiaz de Tsanfleuron), near the Col du Sanetsch. Because of its position between Valais and the western Bernese Alps, it is widely used as a practical base for long-distance crossings, notably the Berner-Alpen Haute Route, and as a useful stage option linked to the Tour du Wildhorn network of itineraries.

• Hut Overview

  • ‍ Location:Lapiaz de Tsanfleuron / Col du Sanetsch, above Savièse (Valais), Switzerland‍

  • Altitude:~2,555–2,562 m (sources vary slightly by listing)

  • Type: Mountain hut / alpine refuge (bookable; staffed seasonally)

  • ‍Capacity: 30 sleeping places

  • Season: Typically summer; may also open around spring periods depending on conditions

  • ‍Management: Local operators / hut organization (regional)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is relatively straightforward for the altitude, but the environment is exposed and can become serious in bad weather.

  • Typical access:

    • From Col du Sanetsch (classic, straightforward approach)

    • From Glacier 3000 installations (route-dependent)

    • Hiking time: often around 1h45 from Col du Sanetsch

    • Terrain: High plateau, rocky/karst ground, alpine paths; very exposed to wind and fog

    • Difficulty: T2–T3 (conditions-dependent; navigation can be harder in fog)

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are consistent with a classic Swiss mountain hut.

  • Dormitory-style sleeping

  • Meals during staffed season

  • Toilets and basic services (limited infrastructure due to location)

  • Expect simple comfort designed for hikers and traverse parties

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are consistent with a classic Swiss mountain hut.

  • Dormitory-style sleeping

  • Meals during staffed season

  • Toilets and basic services (limited infrastructure due to location)

  • Expect simple comfort designed for hikers and traverse parties

• Food & Atmosphere

  The hut’s atmosphere is shaped by its role as a crossing point.

  • Practical, energy-focused meals

  • Many guests are trekkers and multi-day hikers moving between valleys

  • Evenings are typically calm, with planning for the next stage

• Prices & Booking

  • Booking is recommended due to limited capacity

  • Payment: often cash-friendly (carry backup)

  • Prices vary by season and service level

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Cabane de Prarochet is best understood as a stage hut for traverses:

  • Berner-Alpen Haute Route: explicitly described as a support base / staging point

  • Tour du Wildhorn: linked as a possible stopover/variant, even when not on the strict “official” line of the tour

  • Links toward other huts/cols in the region (route-dependent)

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September for hiking stability

  • Key risks: strong wind, fog/whiteout on the plateau, fast weather changes, cold nights

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Long-distance alpine trekkers

  • Hikers doing Haute Route variants

  • Experienced hikers comfortable with exposed high-plateau terrain

  • Not ideal for casual, short “comfort hut” weekends (unless conditions are excellent)

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

The Cabane de Prarochet is valuable because of position, not luxury: it sits on a unique lunar-like karst plateau at the foot of the Tsanfleuron glacier and supports meaningful alpine journeys that link Valais to the Bernese Alps. For trekkers, it is a practical, efficient base that helps make long crossings feasible and safer.