Schönbielhütte

The Schönbielhütte is located at 2694 m at the far end of the quiet Zmutttal valley above Zermatt, opposite the north face of the Matterhorn. As an SAC hut belonging to the Monte Rosa section, it is an important base on the Haute Route, the Tour du Ciel and for high-altitude tours to peaks such as Dent Blanche, Dent d'Hérens, Obergabelhorn or Tête Blanche, but is also a popular hiking destination for families. In winter, the hut is open with touring equipment and a mountain guide from the end of March to the beginning of May, in summer from the end of June to mid-September, when it is suitable both for multi-day alpine tours and for a simple overnight stay in a hut after a long hike. The ascent leads either from Zermatt through the Zmutttal valley (around 4 hours, a good 1100 meters in altitude) or from the Schwarzsee mountain station via a marked mountain trail in around 2.5 hours at around 550 meters in altitude. Simple but hearty dishes are served on the sun terrace and in the restaurant at lunchtime, while overnight guests can enjoy a three-course menu in the evening as part of the half-board package. The hut was built in 1909 to replace an earlier hut that had been destroyed by an avalanche and was modernized and extended in 1955; today it offers 80 simple campsites and a small winter room, yet retains the character of a traditional alpine refuge. Current conditions, any closures and the weather and avalanche situation should be carefully checked before each tour.