Capanna Adula CAS – High-Alpine Hut & Rheinwaldhorn Base

The Capanna Adula CAS is a classic high-alpine hut set in the Adula Alps above the Valle di Blenio (Ticino). Positioned beneath the Rheinwaldhorn / Adula (3,402 m)—the highest peak of Ticino—it serves as a serious base for alpine ascents, glacier travel, and long traverses. Remote and purposeful, it is oriented toward experienced alpinists rather than casual hikers.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Valle di Blenio, Canton of Ticino, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,012 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 45–50 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually late June to mid-September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (CAS)

• Access & Approaches

  Approaches are alpine and condition-dependent.

  • Main approach: From Val Malvaglia / Blenio

  • Ascent time: ~4.5–6 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~1,200–1,500 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, moraines, rocky sections; glacier proximity near objectives

  • Difficulty: T3–T4 (routes beyond the hut are high-alpine)

• Facilities & Comfort

  Functional and expedition-oriented.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Managed water supply

  • Indoor toilets

  • Limited electricity

  The winter room is basic and intended for autonomous teams.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Focused and quiet.

  • Energy-dense alpine meals

  • Clientele mainly alpinists and traverse teams

  • Early nights and very early starts are standard

• Routes & Alpine Context

  Key objectives and routes include:

  • Rheinwaldhorn / Adula (3,402 m)

  • Glacier and mixed routes in the Adula massif

  • High-alpine traverses linking toward Valle di Rheinwald and neighboring huts (route- and condition-dependent)

  • Spring ski mountaineering classics (conditions permitting)

  Full alpine and glacier equipment is required for most objectives.

• When to Go

  • Summer: July–early September (alpinism)

  • Spring: Ski mountaineering

  • Main risks: Crevasses, rockfall, storms, rapid weather changes

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpinists

  • Glacier and ski-mountaineering teams

  • Long, committing traverse parties

  • Not suitable for beginners or casual hiking

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,012 m, the Capanna Adula CAS is the natural gateway to Ticino’s highest and wildest terrain. Its position beneath the Rheinwaldhorn and its remote character make it a cornerstone hut for mountaineers seeking commitment, scale, and classic alpine objectives away from crowded regions.