Rothornhütte

The Rothornhütte SAC is perched at 3180 m above Zermatt in Valais, at the foot of the Zinalrothorn in the Weisshorn group. The hut belongs to the SAC Oberaargau and Lägern sections and was rebuilt in 2023/24, the modern wooden construction replacing the previous hut from 1949. During the summer season, it is typically manned from the end of June to mid-September; outside of this time, a small shelter is open as emergency accommodation. Guests can enjoy the view of the Matterhorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn and other Valais four-thousand-metre peaks from the large dining room and sun terrace. The kitchen offers hot dishes until 4 pm during the day, with a clear focus on regional products from Valais, and homemade cakes throughout the day; in the evening, a three-course menu is served for half-board guests; breakfast is served early for alpinists and later for hikers, depending on the tour plans. Self-catering guests pay an infrastructure surcharge on weekdays; at weekends and before public holidays, overnight stays are only possible with half board. The approach begins in Zermatt at the train station at around 1600 m and leads along signposted paths via the Bodmen district to the Edelweiss restaurant and on to the Berghotel Trift. From there, the route leads over the Vieliboden and moraine slopes up to the hut; depending on the variant, you should allow around 4½ to 6 hours and over 1600 meters in altitude. The Rothornhütte serves as a starting point for high-altitude tours on the Zinalrothorn, Wellenkuppe, Obergabelhorn, Trifthorn and Äschhorn as well as the destination for a long alpine mountain hike. The best time to visit is in the summer months of July and August during the maintenance period; however, the current weather conditions, trail conditions and any closures should always be checked before each tour.