Leglerhütte SAC – Remote Alpine Hut & Kärpf Hiking Base

The Leglerhütte SAC is a remote and atmospheric alpine hut located deep in the Glarus Alps, near the historic Kärpf wildlife reserve—one of Europe’s oldest protected areas. Far from cable cars and busy valleys, it functions primarily as a stage hut for experienced alpine hikers and multi-day trekkers, offering solitude, long approaches, and a strong sense of wilderness rather than technical mountaineering.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Kärpf area / Glarus Alps, Canton of Glarus, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,273 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 45–50 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually late June to late September (conditions dependent)

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is demanding alpine hiking and part of the hut’s character.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Elm (via the Kärpf region)

    • From Mettmen or neighboring valleys as part of long traverses

  • Hiking time: ~5–6.5 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~1,300–1,600 m

  • Terrain: Long alpine paths, grassy slopes, scree, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T3–T4

  No glacier travel is required, but stamina, route awareness, and sure-footedness are essential.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are traditional and functional, in line with the hut’s remote setting.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Drinking water (managed supply)

  • Indoor toilets

  • Limited electricity

  The winter room is basic and intended for autonomous use.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Quiet, authentic, and route-focused.

  • Hearty Swiss alpine cuisine

  • Guests are mainly long-distance hikers and alpine clubs

  • Evenings are calm, often centered on maps and next-day planning

  Crowds are rare due to the long approaches.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Leglerhütte is ideally placed for:

  • Alpine hiking in the Kärpf massif

  • Long multi-day traverses across the Glarus Alps

  • Scrambling routes on surrounding peaks

  • Wildlife observation in protected alpine terrain

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

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Weather can change rapidly; fog common

  • Main risks: Fatigue due to long approaches, storms, early snow

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Alpine clubs and training groups

  • Visitors seeking solitude and wild landscapes

  • Not suitable for beginners or casual hikers

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,273 m, the Leglerhütte SAC embodies the wild heart of the Glarus Alps. Its remote location, long approaches, and position within a protected alpine landscape make it a destination for hikers who value journey, silence, and continuity of route over convenience or altitude records.