Vermigelhütte SAC – Alpine Hut & Gotthard Crossing Base

The Vermigelhütte SAC is a classic and historically significant alpine hut located near the Gotthard Pass, close to the watershed between Uri and Ticino. Positioned on an important alpine corridor, it functions primarily as a stage hut for long-distance trekking, alpine hiking, and classic transalpine crossings, rather than as a technical mountaineering base. Its character is welcoming, practical, and deeply connected to historic alpine travel routes.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Gotthard region / Maighelspass area, Uri–Ticino border, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,042 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 55–60 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-June to late September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is straightforward alpine hiking, making the hut suitable for multi-day trekkers.

  • Main approaches:

    • From the Gotthard Pass

    • From Andermatt via marked alpine trails

  • Hiking time: ~2.5–4 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~600–900 m

  • Terrain: Well-marked alpine paths, meadows, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T2–T3

  No glacier travel is required to reach the hut.

• Facilities & Comfort

  The Vermigelhütte offers reliable SAC-standard comfort.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Drinking water available

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is functional and used by ski tourers and long-distance hikers.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is friendly and international.

  • Traditional Swiss mountain cuisine

  • Frequented by long-distance hikers and crossing routes

  • Social evenings with a strong sense of alpine history

  Its location on classic routes creates a lively yet authentic ambiance.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Vermigelhütte is a key hub for:

  • Alpine crossings of the Gotthard massif

  • Long-distance trekking routes (e.g. north–south transits)

  • Connections to huts such as Camona da Maighels, Rotondohütte, and Albert-Heim-Hütte

  • Spring ski touring routes (conditions permitting)

  It is a connective stage hut, not a summit-focused base.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Spring: Ski touring and snowshoeing

  • Main risks: Fog, sudden weather changes, early snow

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Alpine hikers

  • Transalpine route walkers

  • Alpine clubs and training groups

  • Visitors interested in historic alpine routes

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,042 m, the Vermigelhütte SAC embodies the spirit of alpine passage rather than conquest. Its strategic position near the Gotthard, combined with approachable terrain and strong SAC infrastructure, makes it an essential refuge for hikers who see the Alps as a network of journeys, not isolated summits.