Capanna Piansecco CAS – Alpine Hut & Trekking Hub Guide

The Capanna Piansecco CAS is a welcoming and strategically placed alpine hut in the Val Bedretto (Ticino), close to the Nufenen Pass. Thanks to its accessibility and location at a crossroads of valleys, it serves as an excellent stage hut for hikers, long-distance trekkers, and ski tourers, linking Ticino with Valais.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Val Bedretto (All’Acqua / Nufenen sector), Canton of Ticino, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 1,989 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 60–65 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually June to September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (CAS)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is straightforward and suitable for a wide range of mountain users.

  • Main approaches:

    • From All’Acqua (Val Bedretto)

    • From the Nufenen Pass area

  • Hiking time: ~2–3 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~500–700 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, pastures, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T2–T3

  In winter, the hut is popular with ski tourers approaching from the Nufenen sector.

• Facilities & Comfort

  The Capanna Piansecco offers solid comfort for multi-day itineraries.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Drinking water available

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

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

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is friendly and international.

  • Simple, hearty alpine cuisine

  • Frequent mix of hikers, trekkers, and ski tourers

  • Relaxed evenings typical of a stage hut

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard CAS hut prices

  • Discounts: CAS member discounts apply

  • Booking: Recommended in summer and ski-touring season

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Capanna Piansecco is well embedded in regional itineraries:

  • Long-distance treks between Ticino and Valais

  • Routes toward Nufenen Pass and neighboring valleys

  • Spring ski touring traverses

  • Day hikes and alpine circuits in the Val Bedretto

  Routes are generally non-technical but can be long and weather-exposed.

• When to Go

  • Best season (hiking): June to September

  • Spring: Ski touring season

  • Main risks: Fog, storms, rapid weather changes

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Regular hikers

  • Long-distance alpine trekkers

  • Ski tourers (spring)

  • Travelers linking Ticino and Valais

  • Not intended for technical mountaineering

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 1,989 m, the Capanna Piansecco CAS combines accessibility with strategic value. Its role as a transit and staging hut near the Nufenen Pass makes it a reliable and friendly base for crossing regions, managing long stages, and enjoying classic alpine travel without technical complexity.