Chamonna Tuoi CAS – Remote Alpine Hut & Lower Engadin Traverse Base

The Chamonna Tuoi CAS is a remote alpine hut located at the head of the Val Tuoi, above Guarda, in the Lower Engadin. Quiet, wild, and demanding to reach, it serves primarily as a stage hut for experienced alpine hikers and long-distance trekkers, as well as a solid base for spring ski touring. Its identity is defined by isolation, endurance, and route continuity rather than technical mountaineering.

• Hut Overview

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

  • Altitude: 2,250 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 25–30 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, sustained, and fully alpine.

  • Main approach:

    • From Guarda via Val Tuoi

  • Hiking time: ~5–6 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~1,300–1,500 m

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

  • Difficulty: T3–T4

  Good fitness, sure-footedness, and navigation skills are essential, especially in poor visibility.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Functional and simple, aligned with the hut’s remote role.

  • Dormitory-style sleeping with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Managed drinking water supply

  • Basic indoor toilets

  • Limited electricity

  The winter room is basic and intended for autonomous parties.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Quiet, isolated, and route-focused.

  • Substantial alpine meals

  • Clientele mainly composed of experienced hikers and ski tourers

  • Evenings are calm, often dedicated to planning next-day crossings

  Crowds are rare due to the long and demanding approach.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Chamonna Tuoi is well placed for:

  • Alpine hiking traverses in the Lower Engadin

  • Connections toward huts such as Chamonna Lischana and Chamanna dal Linard (route-dependent)

  • Spring ski-mountaineering itineraries across high passes

  • Exploration of lesser-known Engadin high valleys

  It is not intended as a glacier or technical climbing base.

• 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 visitors

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,250 m, the Chamonna Tuoi CAS captures the wild, understated character of the Lower Engadin. Long approaches, minimal infrastructure, and deep silence make it ideal for hikers who value effort, remoteness, and continuity of trail over popularity or summit-driven goals.