Capanna Corno Gries CAS – Alpine Hut & Alpine Pass Hub Guide

The Capanna Corno Gries CAS is a strategically located alpine hut set near the Gries Pass, on the border between Ticino and Valais. Thanks to its position on a historic transalpine crossing, it serves as a key stage hut for long-distance alpine trekking and ski touring routes linking regions and valleys. While surrounded by high-mountain terrain, its role is defined more by connectivity than by single-summit ascents.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Val Bedretto / Gries Pass area, Canton of Ticino, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,450 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 70–75 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 routes reflect the hut’s role as a pass crossing rather than a summit base.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Val Bedretto (All’Acqua sector)

    • From Valais via the Gries Pass

  • Hiking time: ~3–4.5 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~700–1,000 m

  • Terrain: Alpine trails, high pastures, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T3

  Navigation can become challenging in fog, especially near the pass.

• Facilities & Comfort

  The hut offers solid CAS comfort suitable for multi-day itineraries.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during the guarded season

  • Drinking water available

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is functional but intended for self-sufficient use.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is calm and international, shaped by through-travel.

  • Simple, energy-rich alpine meals

  • Mix of hikers, trekkers, and ski tourers

  • Evenings focused on planning the next crossing stage

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard CAS hut prices

  • Discounts: CAS member discounts apply

  • Booking: Recommended during summer and ski-touring season

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Capanna Corno Gries is embedded in major alpine itineraries:

  • Gries Pass crossings linking Ticino and Valais

  • Long-distance alpine trekking routes

  • Spring ski touring traverses between valleys

  • High-alpine hiking circuits around the Corno Gries area

  Most routes are non-technical but physically demanding.

• When to Go

  • Best season (hiking): July to September

  • Spring: Ski touring season

  • Main risks: Fog, storms, wind exposure, fatigue from long stages

  Good weather and visibility are important near the pass.

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Long-distance alpine trekkers

  • Ski tourers (spring)

  • Experienced hikers

  • Travelers linking Ticino and Valais

  • Not intended as a primary technical mountaineering base

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,450 m, the Capanna Corno Gries CAS stands out as a true alpine crossroads. Its historic pass location, generous capacity, and role in inter-regional traverses make it an essential hut for those who value movement, continuity, and classic alpine travel across Switzerland’s mountain backbone.