Chamanna Coaz CAS – High-Alpine Hut & Bernina Group Base

The Chamanna Coaz CAS is a classic high-alpine hut set deep in the Val Roseg (Upper Engadin), at the heart of the Bernina Group. Surrounded by glaciers and iconic 4,000-metre peaks, it serves as a primary base for glacier travel, alpine ascents, and long high-mountain traverses. Serious, remote, and purpose-built, it is aimed squarely at experienced alpinists.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Val Roseg, Upper Engadin, Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,610 m

  • Type: Serviced SAC high-alpine hut (with winter room)

  • Capacity: Approx. 60–65 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 long and committing.

  • Main approach:

    • From Pontresina through the Val Roseg

  • Hiking time: ~6–7.5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~1,300–1,500 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, moraines, rocky steps; snow early season

  • Difficulty: T3–T4

  Beyond the hut, routes quickly enter glaciated terrain.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Well equipped for sustained high-mountain use.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Managed drinking water supply

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is functional and intended for autonomous teams.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Focused, alpine, and expedition-oriented.

  • Energy-dense alpine meals

  • Clientele mainly alpinists and glacier-travel teams

  • Evenings dedicated to weather windows, rope plans, and early starts

  Despite its size, the hut retains a serious alpine atmosphere.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Chamanna Coaz is a major hub for:

  • Ascents in the Bernina Group

  • Glacier routes linking Val Roseg, Val Morteratsch, and neighboring basins

  • High-alpine traverses between SAC huts

  • Spring ski mountaineering (conditions permitting)

  Full alpine and glacier equipment is mandatory for most objectives.

• When to Go

  • Summer: July–early September (alpinism)

  • Spring: Ski mountaineering

  • Main risks: Crevasses, rockfall, storms, rapid weather changes

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpinists

  • Glacier-travel and ski-mountaineering teams

  • Long, committing traverse parties

  • Not suitable for casual hikers or beginners

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,610 m, the Chamanna Coaz CAS stands as one of the cornerstone glacier huts of the Bernina Alps. Its deep-valley approach, vast surrounding icefields, and strategic connectivity make it an essential base for mountaineers seeking scale, commitment, and classic high-Alpine objectives in Eastern Switzerland.