Chamonna Lischana CAS – High-Alpine Stage Hut & Lower Engadin Traverse Hub

The Chamonna Lischana CAS (Lischanahütte) is a high-alpine stage hut perched above the Val Lischana in the Lower Engadin. Remote yet perfectly positioned near the Austrian border, it is a cornerstone for multi-day alpine traverses, demanding hiking, and spring ski touring. The hut prioritizes route continuity and isolation over comfort or technical climbing.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Val Lischana, Lower Engadin, Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,500 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 30–35 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

  Approaches are long, fully alpine, and physically demanding.

  • Main approach:

    • From Scuol via Val Lischana

  • Hiking time: ~5–6.5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~1,400–1,600 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, steep grassy slopes, scree sections

  • Difficulty: T3–T4

  Sure-footedness, stamina, and good navigation skills are essential.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Functional and efficient for multi-day travel.

  • Dormitory sleeping 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 parties.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Quiet, remote, and traverse-focused.

  • Substantial alpine meals

  • Clientele mainly experienced hikers, long-distance trekkers, and ski tourers

  • Evenings are calm, centered on weather windows and next-day crossings

  Crowds are rare due to the demanding approach.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Chamonna Lischana is ideally placed for:

  • Alpine traverses in the Lower Engadin

  • Cross-border routes toward Austria (Tyrol)

  • Connections to huts such as Chamanna dal Linard and neighboring Austrian refuges (route-dependent)

  • Spring ski-mountaineering itineraries across high passes

  It is not primarily a glacier base, though snowfields are common early season.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September (hiking)

  • Spring: Ski mountaineering

  • Main risks: Isolation, fog, sudden weather changes, early snowfall

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Ski-mountaineering parties

  • Traverse-focused groups

  • Not suitable for beginners or casual hut visits

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,500 m, the Chamonna Lischana CAS embodies the pure spirit of a high-alpine stage hut: remote, demanding, and perfectly positioned for crossings rather than summits. For those who value effort, solitude, and continuity of trail, it is one of the most rewarding huts in the Lower Engadin.