Mountain Huts

The Gasterntal is a deep, glacier-carved valley above Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland, and it is one of the wildest side valleys of the Kander. The valley is entered through the Klus, a narrow gorge where the river has cut through limestone walls, and beyond it the landscape opens into a flat valley floor of meadows, gravel beds and scattered larches, enclosed by steep rock walls and hanging glaciers. The scenery is recognised as a protected landscape, and its character is untouched in a way that is rare in a country as developed as Switzerland.

The road through the valley is narrow and private, managed by the local community of the Bäuert Gasterntal, and it is used by walkers, cyclists and a few local vehicles in season. Small hamlets such as Selden and Heimritz offer simple lodgings and meals. The pace of life is slow, and in summer cattle graze the pastures while hikers pass by on the paths that lead toward higher ground.

Above the valley floor, the mountain huts of the region provide the logistical base for alpine walking and climbing. A mountain hut in Switzerland is typically a simple building at high altitude, run by an alpine club or by a local family, offering dormitory beds, a hearty evening meal and breakfast. Guests carry their own sleeping sheet, remove boots at the door and follow house rules that keep the shared space orderly. Reservations are strongly recommended, and many huts accept only cash or have limited card facilities, so check the details when booking. Opening seasons depend on snow and altitude and can be short, often from early summer to early autumn.

Walking to a hut is part of the experience. Paths climb steeply through forest and above the tree line, and stretches may be exposed or snow-covered even in July, so appropriate boots and good weather planning are essential. Some routes lead onto glaciers and require mountaineering equipment and experience, and they should be attempted only with a guide or proper training.

The evenings in a hut are often the highlight, with shared tables, stories from the day and a sky full of stars when the weather clears. The Gasterntal is also a good base for shorter outings: the Kander river, the waterfalls on the valley sides and the high pastures make for easy day walks without an overnight stay.