Capanna Buffalora – Remote Alpine Hut & Val Mora Hiking Base

The Capanna Buffalora is a small, remote mountain hut located in the Val Mora, a high and secluded valley on the border between Graubünden (Engadin) and Italy. Surrounded by wide alpine meadows, gentle ridges, and an atmosphere of isolation, it serves primarily as a stage hut for long-distance hikers and trekkers exploring one of the most unspoiled regions of Eastern Switzerland. Its character is simple, quiet, and deeply connected to transalpine travel.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Val Mora, Engadin / Graubünden, Switzerland

  • Altitude: ≈ 2,070 m

  • Type: Mountain hut / alpine chalet (non-SAC)

  • Capacity: Approx. 15–25 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded or open: typically June to September (weather-dependent)

  • Management: Local association / private management

• Access & Approaches

  Access is via long but non-technical alpine hiking routes.

  • Main approaches:

    • From the Val Müstair

    • From the Upper Engadin as part of multi-day traverses

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

  • Elevation gain: ~700–1,200 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, wide meadows, gentle passes

  • Difficulty: T2–T3

  No exposure, scrambling, or glacier travel is involved.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are basic and oriented toward autonomy.

  • Dormitory-style sleeping (blankets or sleeping bag recommended)

  • Simple meals or self-catering (depending on season)

  • Limited drinking water supply

  • Basic toilets

  Comfort is modest and consistent with the hut’s remoteness.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Very quiet, isolated, and contemplative.

  • Simple, traditional alpine food (when available)

  • Guests are mainly long-distance hikers and nature-focused trekkers

  • Evenings are calm, often spent outdoors enjoying silence and wide skies

  The absence of nearby infrastructure defines the experience.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Capanna Buffalora is ideal for:

  • Long-distance trekking through the Val Mora

  • Transalpine routes linking Engadin and Val Müstair

  • Remote, multi-day hiking itineraries

  • Nature observation in protected alpine landscapes

  It is not intended for glacier travel or technical mountaineering.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to early September

  • Conditions: Snow may linger early in the season

  • Main risks: Isolation, weather changes, limited water availability

  Careful planning is essential due to remoteness.

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Visitors seeking solitude and untouched landscapes

  • Hikers interested in transalpine and border-region routes

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At around 2,070 m, the Capanna Buffalora represents the purest form of alpine simplicity: vast open spaces, minimal infrastructure, and deep silence. It is an ideal refuge for hikers who value journey, remoteness, and continuity of trail over comfort or altitude records.