Capanna Campo Tencia CAS – High-Alpine Hut & Campo Tencia Massif Base

The Capanna Campo Tencia CAS is a classic high-alpine hut located in the upper Val Piumogna, in the Canton of Ticino. Set beneath the imposing Campo Tencia (3,072 m)—the highest peak entirely within Ticino—it serves as a primary base for alpine ascents, scrambling routes, and ski mountaineering. Its setting is wild, rocky, and distinctly alpine, making it a reference hut for serious mountain objectives in southern Switzerland.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Val Piumogna / Campo Tencia massif, Canton of Ticino, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,140 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 physically demanding, though technically moderate.

  • Main approach: From Dalpe via Val Piumogna

  • Hiking time: ~4–5.5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~1,300–1,600 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, rocky sections, scree

  • Difficulty: T3–T4

  Sure-footedness and good physical condition are required.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Functional and expedition-oriented.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Managed drinking water supply

  • Indoor toilets

  • Limited electricity

  The winter room is basic and intended for autonomous teams.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Focused, calm, and mountaineering-driven.

  • Energy-dense alpine meals

  • Clientele mainly composed of alpinists and experienced hikers

  • Early nights and early starts are common

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Capanna Campo Tencia is a key base for:

  • Campo Tencia (3,072 m) via normal and variant routes

  • Alpine scrambles and rock routes in the Campo Tencia massif

  • Spring ski mountaineering objectives

  • Long alpine traverses toward neighboring valleys (route-dependent)

  Some objectives require full alpine equipment, depending on conditions.

• When to Go

  • Summer: July to early September (alpinism, scrambling)

  • Spring: Ski mountaineering

  • Main risks: Rockfall, storms, rapid weather changes

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Alpinists and scramble enthusiasts

  • Ski-mountaineering teams

  • Not suitable for casual hiking without alpine objectives

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,140 m, the Capanna Campo Tencia CAS is the gateway to Ticino’s most emblematic summit. Its wild surroundings, demanding approaches, and strong alpine identity make it an essential hut for those seeking commitment, solitude, and classic high-alpine terrain south of the main Alpine ridge.