Cabane Topali

The place

Capacity: 44. Manned from early July to mid-September. The old stone cabin, which offered a little over 20 places, burned down. It seems the new construction, entirely clad in metal, has increased its capacity. The hut is manned by Jacqueline Imboden-Lochmatter and Judith Albrecht-Fux. They can also be reached by email at: albrecht.reto@freesurf.ch. Some pictures are available on this page. The old cabin will never be missed too much... But at Topali, you're anyway a bit removed from the hustle and bustle stirring up the valleys of Zermatt and Saas in summer. Here, nothing fashionable, nothing glorious, except superb viewpoints. You can stretch your legs on the Barrhörner, or the Stellihorn, before heading to the Brunegghorn (crevasses!), which offers a stunning panorama over the Bishorn, the Weisshorn, and the Mischabel. In short, a spot for quiet outings... The hut is manned from early July until the end of August and normally on weekends in June and September; water only when the warden is present. Outside this period the hut has a 4-place winter shelter. You can cook there in the warden's absence, and lighting is provided. The hut is within Swisscom network coverage and also has an emergency phone. Swiss coordinates: 624.970/111.760. From the Randa valley. Take the narrow-gauge railway from Brig or Visp... as parking (traffic restrictions!) is a challenge. From St Nicolas station, follow the road up for 2km, to Schwidernen. There, cross the stream, pass in front of the chapel, and follow (markers, or signpost) the path climbing towards the W. Fork in the woods: the left branch (SW) climbs to Scheidkrommen, via the Blattbach gorge, the right branch (NW) passes through Medji, Boden, but it's steeper. Don't bother counting the switchbacks...! From Scheidkrommen, the hut is normally in view (especially now that it has metal cladding!). Allow 6 hours and keep in mind that once out of the woods, there's no shade at all: leave very early. Access: a) from Schwidernu in 5h. b) from Jungen (1950m/cable car from St-Nicolas) via the Wasulicke (3114m/equipped section) in 6h. c) from Randa in 6h. d) from the Tourtemagne hut (via the Schöllijoch - alpine hikers/mountaineers) in 6h. CAS, Geneva section. Hut phone: 00.41.27.956 21 72. Warden: Imboden-Lochmatter Jacqueline, Turugasse 14, 3924 St. Niklaus VS, 027 956 21 65 / 079 740 22 40, topalihuette@bluewin.ch