Cabane du Trient CAS – High-Alpine Hut & Traverse Hub Guide

The Cabane du Trient CAS is a historic and strategically placed high-alpine hut overlooking the Glacier du Trient, at the gateway between the Valais and the Mont Blanc massif. Renowned as a classic stop on the Haute Route Chamonix–Zermatt, it serves as a vital link between valleys and glaciers rather than a single-summit base. The hut combines strong alpine character with exceptional logistical importance.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Trient / Mont Blanc massif, Canton of Valais, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 3,170 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 130–135 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 is demanding and distinctly alpine, involving glacier travel on most routes.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Col de la Forclaz / Trient village

    • From Cabane d’Orny or Refuge du Col du Tour (Haute Route stages)

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

  • Elevation gain: ~1,300–1,600 m

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

  • Difficulty: Alpine (T4–T5 / PD)

  • Requirements: Glacier skills, rope techniques, confident navigation

• Facilities & Comfort

  Despite its altitude, the hut offers substantial CAS comfort due to its role as a major traverse hub.

  • Large dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals

  • Drinking water (often snowmelt)

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is basic and intended for fully autonomous use.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is international and expedition-focused.

  • Energy-rich alpine meals

  • Evenings dedicated to weather analysis and stage planning

  • Frequent mix of alpinists and long-distance trekkers

  Early nights and very early starts are the norm.

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard CAS hut prices

  • Discounts: CAS member discounts apply

  • Booking: Essential, especially during Haute Route season

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Cabane du Trient is a cornerstone of major alpine itineraries:

  • Haute Route stages (Trient ↔ Orny ↔ Champex / Argentière variants)

  • Glacier crossings on the Glacier du Trient

  • Traverses toward the Col Supérieur du Tour and Mont Blanc sector

  • Spring ski touring classics

  All routes require full alpine or ski-mountaineering equipment.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September (alpinism & trekking)

  • Spring: Ski touring season

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

  Stable weather windows are critical.

• 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 3,170 m, the Cabane du Trient CAS is defined by connectivity and scale. Its commanding position above the Trient Glacier and its pivotal role on the Haute Route make it one of the most operationally important huts in the Alps—an essential passage point for anyone undertaking serious glacier traverses between the Mont Blanc massif and the Valais.