Cabane des Vignettes CAS – High-Alpine Hut & Haute Route Hub

The Cabane des Vignettes CAS is one of the most iconic high-alpine huts in the Valais. Dramatically perched on a rocky spur above the Val d’Hérens, it is a cornerstone of the Haute Route Chamonix–Zermatt and a key logistics hub for glacier crossings and major alpine traverses. This is a working hut for experienced alpinists and long-distance trekkers.

• Hut Overview

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

  • Altitude: 3,157 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 120 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-March to early May (ski touring) and mid-June to late September (summer)

    • Winter room: accessible outside guarded periods

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (CAS)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is demanding and clearly alpine, involving glacier terrain on most routes.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Arolla via Glacier de Pièce

    • From Cabane des Dix or Cabane de Bertol (Haute Route stages)

  • Ascent time: ~4–6 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~1,200–1,500 m

  • Terrain: Moraines, glacier travel, snow slopes, exposed rock

  • Difficulty: Alpine (T4–T5 / PD)

  • Requirements: Glacier skills, rope techniques, strong navigation

• Facilities & Comfort

  Despite the altitude, the hut offers robust CAS comfort.

  • Large dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals

  • Drinking water (often from snowmelt)

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is basic and requires full autonomy.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is technical and international.

  • Energy-rich alpine meals

  • Evenings focused on weather analysis and early starts

  • A mix of ski tourers (spring) and alpinists/trekkers (summer)

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard CAS hut prices

  • Discounts: CAS members

  • Booking: Essential due to very high demand

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Cabane des Vignettes is a pivotal alpine crossroads:

  • Haute Route stages (Vignettes ↔ Dix / Bertol / Arolla)

  • Ascents of Pigne d’Arolla (3,796 m)

  • Glacier traverses toward Valpelline and Zermatt variants

  • Spring ski touring classics

  All routes require full alpine or ski-mountaineering equipment.

• When to Go

  • Spring: March–May (ski touring)

  • Summer: July–September (glacier trekking & alpinism)

  • Main risks: Crevasses, whiteouts, storms, altitude effects

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced mountaineers

  • Long-distance alpine trekkers

  • Ski tourers (spring)

  • Not suitable for casual hikers or beginners

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 3,157 m, the Cabane des Vignettes CAS is not merely a place to sleep—it is a strategic alpine hub. Its role on the Haute Route, vast glacier access, and year-round relevance make it one of the most operationally important huts in the Alps, embodying the scale and seriousness of high-mountain travel.