Spitzmeilenhütte SAC – Panoramic Alpine Hut & Spitzmeilen Hiking Base

The Spitzmeilenhütte SAC is a beautifully located alpine hut set on a high terrace beneath the striking pyramid of the Spitzmeilen (2,501 m), on the border between the cantons of Glarus and St. Gallen. Renowned for its open views, gentle surroundings, and excellent accessibility, it serves primarily as a stage hut for alpine hiking and long-distance routes, rather than for technical mountaineering. Its setting combines dramatic scenery with approachable terrain.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Spitzmeilen / Calfeisental area, Glarus–St. Gallen border, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,087 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 40–45 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

  Access is classic alpine hiking and well suited to fit hikers.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Weisstannen / Calfeisental

    • From Flumserberg as part of longer traverses

  • Hiking time: ~3.5–5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~900–1,200 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, grassy slopes, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T3

  No glacier travel is required in summer conditions.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are comfortable and well maintained by SAC standards.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Drinking water available

  • Indoor toilets

  • Limited electricity

  The winter room is practical and often used by ski tourers.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Friendly, relaxed, and scenic.

  • Traditional Swiss alpine cuisine

  • Popular with long-distance hikers and weekend visitors

  • Evenings are social but calm, often centred on sunsets and route planning

  The hut’s terrace is a major highlight.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Spitzmeilenhütte is ideally placed for:

  • Ascents of the Spitzmeilen (2,501 m) via hiking routes

  • Alpine hiking in the UNESCO Sardona Tectonic Arena

  • Multi-day traverses linking huts such as Sardonahütte, Leglerhütte, and Panixerpasshütte

  • Scenic ridge walks with expansive views

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

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Snowfields may persist early in the season

  • Main risks: Fog, sudden weather changes

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Nature and landscape enthusiasts

  • Alpine clubs and training groups

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,087 m, the Spitzmeilenhütte SAC offers one of the most rewarding panoramic settings in Eastern Switzerland. Its combination of dramatic scenery, non-technical terrain, and excellent route connectivity makes it a standout hut for hikers who value views, continuity of trail, and alpine atmosphere over technical difficulty.