Bordierhütte

The Bordierhütte is located at 2886 m on the edge of the Ried Glacier in the Mischabel massif above St. Niklaus in the Mattertal valley and belongs to the Geneva section of the Swiss Alpine Club. From the terrace, you have a direct view of the icefalls of the Riedgletscher and across to Balfrin, Gross and Klein Bigerhorn as well as the Nadelgrat, which, together with the Nadelhorn, Stecknadelhorn, Hohberghorn and Dürrenhorn, is one of the classic high-altitude touring destinations in the Valais Alps. The hut serves mountaineers and ambitious hikers as a quiet base for these peaks and for crossings to the Mischabelhütte or the Saas Valley. It is best visited in the manned summer season from around mid-June to mid-September, when the hut is open and most of the high tours are possible in good conditions; a simple bivouac room is open before and after. During the season, guests are catered for with simple but carefully prepared hut cuisine. During the day there is a small menu with hot and cold dishes, and the hut staff bake bread and cakes in a wood-fired oven. In the evening, a multi-course menu consisting of soup, salad, main course and dessert is served; meat-free options can also be cooked if booked in advance. Wherever possible, the ingredients are sourced locally and the wines come from sunny Valais. Breakfast is offered in various early time slots, depending on the planned tour, and a packed lunch can be provided on request; march tea is included in the half-board or available separately. The classic approach begins in the hamlet of Gasenried above St. Niklaus. From there, a red and white marked mountain trail leads through sparse larch forest and an impressive glacier foreland landscape to Alpja, before the path continues over moraine slopes towards the hut. Since 2023, the official hut trail has followed the Riedbach stream on the left-hand side of the valley and no longer crosses the Ried Glacier, which makes the ascent much easier and crampons unnecessary. For the ascent from Gasenried to the hut, you should allow around three and a half to four hours walking time and around 1200 meters of altitude difference; alternatively, a longer approach from Grächen is also possible, which can be easily combined with a tour lasting several days. The Bordierhütte is serviced in summer and is a popular starting point for high-altitude tours to Balfrin, Ulrichshorn or Gross Bigerhorn, as well as the destination of a long day hike. In winter and in the off-season, there is an unattended bivouac room with mattresses and blankets, which is mainly used by ski tourers and independent alpinists. Regardless of the time of year, up-to-date information on the weather, avalanche situation, trail conditions, glacier situation and any closures should always be obtained before every tour. The hut was built in 1927 as a natural stone structure and named after the Geneva banker Pierre Bordier, who was instrumental in financing its construction. Originally it offered just over fifty beds; today it has been modernized but has retained its simple character as a classic SAC hut and is still run by the Geneva section.