Ringelspitzhütte SAC

The Ringelspitzhütte SAC is a remote alpine hut located in the Calfeisental, near the border between the cantons of St. Gallen and Graubünden. Sitting below the imposing Ringelspitz (3,247 m)—the highest peak of the canton of St. Gallen—the hut serves as a stage hut for experienced alpine hikers and a base for non-technical alpine routes and traverses. Its character is quiet, wild, and strongly oriented toward route continuity.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Calfeisental, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,000 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 35–40 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually late June to late September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)

• Access & Approaches

  Approaches are long and fully alpine but not technical.

  • Main approach:

    • From the Calfeisental valley road head

  • Hiking time: ~4–5.5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~1,100–1,300 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, grassy slopes, scree sections

  • Difficulty: T3

  Good fitness and sure-footedness are required; navigation skills are useful in fog.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Functional and practical, aligned with its remote setting.

  • 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 simple and intended for autonomous parties.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Quiet, authentic, and route-focused.

  • Substantial Swiss alpine meals

  • Clientele mainly experienced hikers and traverse parties

  • Calm evenings centered on weather and next-day planning

  Crowds are rare due to the long approaches and isolated valley.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Ringelspitzhütte is well placed for:

  • Alpine hiking in the Calfeisental

  • Ascents and routes around the Ringelspitz massif (non-technical variants)

  • Multi-day traverses linking St. Gallen and Graubünden

  • Exploration of one of Eastern Switzerland’s least-visited alpine areas

  It is not primarily a glacier or technical climbing base, though some routes require alpine experience.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Snowfields may linger early in the season

  • Main risks: Isolation, fog, sudden weather changes

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Traverse-focused groups

  • Visitors seeking solitude and wild alpine landscapes

  • Not suitable for beginners or casual hut visits

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,000 m, the Ringelspitzhütte SAC offers access to one of Eastern Switzerland’s wildest mountain regions. Its remoteness, long approaches, and quiet setting make it ideal for hikers who value effort, solitude, and continuity of trail over popularity or easy logistics.