Capanna Motterascio CAS – Alpine Stage Hut on the Lukmanier Axis

The Capanna Motterascio CAS is a modern alpine hut located above the Lukmanier Pass, close to the Ticino–Graubünden border. Thanks to its strategic position and relatively straightforward access, it serves primarily as a stage hut for alpine hikers and long-distance trekkers, linking north–south routes across the central Alps rather than acting as a technical mountaineering base.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Lukmanier area / Val Medel–Blenio border, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,172 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 40–45 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually late June to late September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (CAS)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is classic alpine hiking with moderate demands.

  • Main approaches:

    • From the Lukmanier Pass road

    • From Val Medel on longer stage routes

  • Hiking time: ~2–3.5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~500–700 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, grassy slopes, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T2–T3

  No glacier travel is required in summer conditions.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Comfortable and well maintained by CAS standards.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Drinking water available

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is practical and frequently used by off-season hikers and ski tourers.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Friendly, calm, and route-oriented.

  • Traditional Swiss alpine cuisine

  • Popular with long-distance hikers and weekend visitors

  • Relaxed evenings with good social atmosphere

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Capanna Motterascio is well placed for:

  • North–south alpine crossings via the Lukmanier

  • Multi-day trekking itineraries between Ticino and Graubünden

  • Connections toward huts such as Capanna Cadlimo, Capanna Cadagno, and Capanna Bovarina

  • Panoramic ridge and high-valley hikes

  It is not intended for glacier or technical climbing.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Snowfields may persist early in the season

  • Main risks: Fog, wind, rapid weather changes

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Alpine hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Groups seeking a comfortable high-mountain stage hut

  • Not suitable for technical alpinism objectives

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,172 m, the Capanna Motterascio CAS combines modern comfort with classic transalpine positioning. Its accessibility, strategic location, and strong route connectivity make it a key hub for hikers prioritizing continuity of trail, panorama, and efficient logistics across the Lukmanier corridor.