Chelenalphütte SAC – Alpine Hut & Göscheneralp Glacier Base

The Chelenalphütte SAC is a compact high-alpine hut located above the Göscheneralp in the Canton of Uri, close to the margins of the Chelengletscher. Compared with its neighbor, the Bergseehütte, it is smaller, quieter, and more technical in character, serving mainly as a base for alpinism and glacier routes rather than classic hiking. It is a hut chosen for purpose and positioning, not comfort.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Göscheneralp / Chelengletscher, Canton of Uri, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,350 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 25–30 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-June to mid-September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is alpine and already demanding, even before reaching glaciated terrain.

  • Main approach: From Göscheneralp reservoir

  • Hiking time: ~3.5–4.5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~900–1,100 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, moraines, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T3–T4

  No glacier travel is normally required to reach the hut in summer, but snowfields may persist early in the season.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are minimal and functional, consistent with the hut’s alpine role.

  • Dormitory sleeping with mattresses and blankets

  • Simple meals during the guarded season

  • Drinking water (managed supply)

  • Basic indoor toilets

  • Limited electricity

  The winter room is basic and intended for fully autonomous use.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is quiet and technical.

  • Hearty but simple alpine meals

  • Guests are almost exclusively alpinists

  • Evenings focused on weather, glacier conditions, and early starts

  Crowds are rare due to the hut’s specialized use.

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard SAC hut prices

  • Discounts: SAC member discounts apply

  • Booking: Recommended, especially in summer

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Chelenalphütte is primarily a technical base hut for:

  • Glacier routes on the Chelengletscher

  • Ascents of surrounding alpine peaks (3,000 m class)

  • Rock, snow, and mixed alpine routes

  • Spring ski-mountaineering objectives in the Göscheneralp region

  Glacier equipment is required for most routes beyond the hut.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to early September

  • Spring: Ski touring and glacier ascents

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

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpinists

  • Glacier and mixed-climbing teams

  • Ski mountaineers

  • Not suitable for casual hikers or beginners

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,350 m, the Chelenalphütte SAC is one of Central Switzerland’s most purpose-driven alpine huts. Small, discreet, and surrounded by serious terrain, it offers direct access to glacier routes without distraction. For alpinists seeking quiet, commitment, and efficiency in the Göscheneralp region, it is an exceptionally well-placed refuge.