Sidelenhütte SAC – High-Alpine Hut & Glacier Traverse Base

The Sidelenhütte SAC is a compact high-alpine hut dramatically positioned above the Sidelengletscher, overlooking the Göscheneralp in the Canton of Uri. More serious and technical than nearby hiking huts, it functions primarily as a glacier base and traverse hub for alpinists and ski tourers moving through the Central Alps and the Gotthard region.

• Hut Overview

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

  • Altitude: 2,708 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 35–40 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-June to mid-September

    • Spring opening for ski touring (dates vary)

    • Winter room: accessible outside guarded periods

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)

• Access & Approaches

  Reaching the Sidelenhütte already requires solid alpine competence.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Göscheneralp via alpine terrain and moraines

    • From neighboring huts as part of glacier traverses

  • Ascent time: ~4.5–6 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~1,200–1,500 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, moraines, glacier travel near the hut

  • Difficulty: T4 / High-alpine (season-dependent)

  Glacier equipment is often required, depending on conditions and approach.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are functional and adapted to serious alpine use.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Simple half-board meals during guarded season

  • Drinking water (managed supply)

  • Indoor toilets

  • Limited electricity

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

• Food & Atmosphere

  Focused, quiet, and mountaineering-oriented.

  • Hearty, energy-dense alpine meals

  • Clientele mainly composed of alpinists and ski tourers

  • Evenings centered on weather forecasts, glacier conditions, and early starts

  Crowds are uncommon due to the technical nature of access and objectives.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Sidelenhütte is a key base for:

  • Glacier routes on the Sidelengletscher

  • High-alpine traverses in the Gotthard massif

  • Spring ski-mountaineering circuits

  • Links to huts such as Albert-Heim-Hütte, Rotondohütte, and Bergseehütte

  It is a connective glacier hut, not a single-summit destination.

• When to Go

  • Spring: March–May (ski touring)

  • Summer: July–September (alpinism & traverses)

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

  Stable forecasts and conservative planning are essential.

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpinists

  • Glacier-travel teams

  • Ski mountaineers

  • Mountaineers planning multi-day high-alpine crossings

  • Not suitable for hikers or beginners

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,708 m, the Sidelenhütte SAC is one of the most strategically placed glacier huts in Central Switzerland. Its value lies in connectivity and position, enabling elegant traverses across the Gotthard region rather than isolated summit pushes. For mountaineers who think in routes, glaciers, and multi-day flow, it is an essential refuge.