On the heights of Saas Fee lies an unrivalled refuge. The Mischabelhütte honors the grandeur of the Valais Alps and invites you to escape to alpine horizons. I dedicate this article to Maria Anthamatten, who looked after the hut for 14 years. During these years, her warm welcome breathed life and dynamism into the hut. I wish her all the best for her future adventures.
Mischabel hut: a treasure trove in the Swiss Alps Saas Fee
In the shadow of the Valais Alps and their glittering glaciers, Mischabelhütte stands amid Switzerland's highest peaks. At an altitude of 3,340 metres, the hut welcomes hikers and mountaineers in search of extraordinary ascents. Adventurers find comfort and warmth here, sharing heart-warming alpine stories. The 4000m peaks of Saas Fee surround the refuge: Nadelhorn, Lenzspitze, Stecknadelhorn, Hohberghorn and Dürrenhorn. The Mischabelhütte is famous for its summits .
The view from up here is undoubtedly one of the finest in the region. You can admire the Mischabels massif and the flowing glaciers. As evening falls, summits is draped in purple and gold. The setting sun gives them a treasure. In winter, the unguarded part of the hut is open to skiers venturing into the high mountains. Then the hut takes on a whole new look. It is adorned with pure snow to blend in with the Alpine landscape. A pure jewel of the mountain, the experience inside this refuge lifts us into the beyond.
A second cabin was added in 1976. Located on the upper level, it includes a kitchen, sleeping quarters and sanitary facilities. This is now the main house. Below, the hut has additional sleeping accommodation, mainly used by mountaineers in winter. 130 beds are divided between the two shelters. Lunch, dinner and breakfast are available for visitors. Regional cuisine is the order of the day. The tasty dishes are accompanied by a glass of wine that leaves the aroma of the high mountains on the lips.
Mischabelhütte: the story of a hut in the heart of the Valais Alps
On February 23, 1899, the Zurich Alpine Club Academy (AACZ) decided to build a high mountain hut. Enthusiasm was such that the capital required was quickly exceeded. But then came the choice of exact location. How could one imagine a perfect hut in a highly strategic location for alpine excursions? Would it be near Dent Blanche, the Täschhorn, or the Rimpfischhorn? In the end, the location was chosen at the foot of the Nadelgrat, and the project was renamed "Nadelgrathütte".
The building committee is headed by Amberg, Beauclair, Paulcke, Weber and John Graff. V. de Beauclair. The cabin becomes their work. They cared for every detail of the construction as one would cherish a precious jewel. In 1903, a two-storey wooden hut was built not far from the Distelhorn. This little jewel, set between the Hohbalm and Fall Glaciers, sits proudly on the ENE ridge of the Lenz peak. To mark the occasion, a party is held at Saas Fee in the presence of local guides.
The Academy of the Alpine Club of Zurich saw in this shelter a great destiny. Over the years, the Mischabelhütte took on the air of a hospitable refuge. Although it only welcomed around 30 visitors in summer, its reputation soared. Mountain lovers flocked to discover it, and the interior space soon became too small. Modernization seemed inevitable. Despite the outbreak of the Second World War, the Mischabels hut was waiting to be renovated. Based on plans by Hans-Uli Hohl, the hut was enlarged in 1944, doubling its accommodation capacity. Its radiance lights up the eyes of mountaineers eager for expeditions. A new living room, a separate kitchen and a small room for the janitor were added.
From 1944 to the present day, this Alpine treasure has been constantly modernized to meet the growing needs of visitors. In 1976, a second hut was built 10 meters from the first. More spacious, it became the main house in summer. Out of season, the old house is transformed into an unguarded winter refuge. All year round, the soul of Mischabelhütte lives to the rhythm of majestic peaks and glaciers.
Mischabel hut: access road
Treading this steep path already requires mountaineering experience. It takes 1,539 meters of ascent to reach the hut. If you want to shorten the approach walk, take the cable car up to Hannig. Alternatively, the trail starts in the heart of the Stafelwald forest, where you can admire a wealth of flora and fauna. Heading south-west and crossing the Trift stream, the path zigzags upwards.
The real climb to the Mischabel hut begins at Schönegga. One technical section follows another as the high mountain landscape unfolds. The approach hike continues along a ridge, then follows a scree slope. After crossing the Untere Distelhorn and Oberere Distelhorn, the path leads to a rocky ridge partially secured with chains and ladders. Finally, the Mischabel hut is revealed by a ridge punctuated by several metal passages and a ladder.
Mischabel hut: the main mountaineering routes starting from the hut
I'd like to introduce you to three mountaineering tours starting from the Mischabelhütte. These itineraries take us beyond the world of man to the skies above.
The normal route to the Nadelhorn (4327 metres) from the Mischabelhütte
The normal route to the Nadelhorn follows the NE ridge from the hut. Do you know where the name of this mountain comes from? It probably derives from the word "Nadelloch", which refers to a mysterious hole located 10 metres north-west of summit. Skirting the flanks of the Nadelhorn is an extraordinary experience. The panorama of the Valais Alps along this kilometer-long ridge is breathtaking. I invite you to consult the CamptoCamp topo if you'd like to discover this mountain itinerary.
Ascent to Lenzspitze (4294 metres)
Located at the southern end of the Nadelgrat, the Lenzspitze reveals its power on the north-east face, with its bewitching verticality. There are several variants of the ascent: the north-east face, the north-east ridge, or the south ridge from the Domhütte. This climb is undoubtedly one of the longest and most demanding. But once you've reached summit, its majesty makes for dreamy contemplation.
Crossing the Nadelgrat
A splendid ridge at over 4000 meters, the traverse takes you over the Dirruhorn, the Hohberghorn and the Stecknadelhorn. I was lucky enough to do this mountaineering race with Vivian Bruchez. Magnificent adventure. Treading these legendary peaks left a lasting impression on me. It was a real personal achievement, and I came away with a different outlook on life.
From a simple wooden hut, the Mischabel refuge has metamorphosed into a den where dreams of ascent are fulfilled. If you climb up there, you'll have the pleasure of discovering one of my works on one of the hut's walls.
I'm honored that my work contributes to the heritage of this exceptional place and perpetuates the mountain heritage of the Saas Fee region.
