Albert-Heim Hut
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
The hut can only be reached on foot, as there is no access by vehicle. The starting points are the Tätsch car park (2,272 m), which can be reached by car via a toll road, and theHotel Tiefenbach (2,106 m), a PostBus stop. Follow the red-white-red signposted path: branching off from the main route are an alternative route to the Schafberg – classified as T3 and featuring a narrower path – and an alternative route along the Tiefenbach stream. The Furka Pass road, the car park and the PostAuto service operate only during the summer season. In winter, set off from Realp: there is no longer a signposted winter path along the pass road.
Road directions
Set off from the Tamoil petrol station at Bielstrasse 2 in Brig and head south on the Ueberlandstrasse (Road 19) for 24 metres. At the roundabout, stay on Ueberlandstrasse, Road 19, towards Furka, Grimsel, Nufenen, Brig, Naters and Simplon for 1.5 km (1.5 km). Keep left to continue on Road 19 for 3.5 km (5.0 km). At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Furkastrasse, Road 19, towards Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen for 7.1 km (12.1 km). Carry on straight ahead, staying on Furkastrasse, Road 19, for 6.6 km (18.7 km), then at the roundabout, take the first exit onto Umfahrungstrasse, Road 19, for 800 m (19.5 km). At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Furkastrasse, Road 19, for 22.4 km (41.9 km). Keep left to stay on Furkastrasse, following the signs for Grimsel, Furka and Oberwald, for 22.6 km (64.5 km). Turn sharply left for 120m (64.6km), then turn slightly left for 1.5km (66.1km) until you reach the Tätsch car park on the left. Some sections of the road may be closed at certain times or on certain days.
Car park
The Tätsch car park 🅿️ (2,272 m) is subject to a charge and is only available in summer. Tickets can be purchased from the machine located at the start of the dirt track that branches off from the Furkastrasse at the Hotel Tiefenbach. From Tätsch, it is about a 1-hour walk to the hut.
Access by public transport
The starting point is served by PostBus, which runs between Andermatt and Realp to the Tiefenbach (Furka) stop only from July to September. To reach Andermatt or Realp by train: from the north via Göschenen to Andermatt, or on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Realp. In Andermatt, the PostAuto stop is on the north side of the station. Details of the service can be found on the mountain hut’s website: information onaccess by public transport
Summer access
From Tätsch (2,272m) via the signposted path: T2 – 1h – 270m
From Tiefenbach (2,106m) via Tätsch: T2 – 1h 30' – 430m
From Realp (1,538m) via Saasegg: T2 – 3h 30' – 1,010m
From Andermatt (1,435m) via the Furka-Höhenweg: T2 – 5–6h – (1,430m ascent/330m descent)
Winter access routes
Ski mountaineering
From Realp (1,538m) to Tätsch – Albert-Heim-Hütte (2,543m): PD – 3h30'–4h00'
From Realp (1,538 m) via Tiefenbach – Albert-Heim-Hütte (2,543 m): PD- – 4h00'–4h30'
Snowshoes
Distance and walking time
🕒 Walking time: 82 minutes
📏 Distance: 66.2 km
GPS navigation
Important information
The directions provided were verified on the date theroute. Before setting off, we recommend checking for any changes to the route or road conditions. For up-to-date information, please consult Google Maps or Apple Maps.
Introduction
The Albert-Heim-Hütte is an alpine hut in the municipality of Realp, in the canton of Uri, Switzerland, in the Uri Alps. It is situated in the Furka Pass region, on a rocky spur to the north of the pass road, at the foot of the Tiefengletscher and to the east of the Galenstock. The hut is named after Albert Heim, a geologist and glaciologist, who identified the site on which it was to be built. In summer, it is a popular destination for walkers, families and day-trippers, thanks to a well-signposted path that presents no technical difficulties. This is the starting point for ascents of the Galenstock and the Tiefenstock, granite climbing routes and, in winter, ski-mountaineering routes. The hut is also a stop on the Urner Haute Route, the ski-mountaineering route linking Andermatt to Engelberg.
Description
The hut was officially opened on 22 September 1918, in the presence of Albert Heim (1849–1937), a geologist, scholar of the Alps and glaciers, and honorary member of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC), who had proposed the site. It was designed exclusively for mountaineers: 18 beds and no warden. The building materials were carried on the backs of eight men from Realp all the way from Tiefenbach. In 1936, the number of beds rose to 40, and in 1971 to 80 following the extension designed by Jakob Eschenmoser. The most recent works, carried out between 2018 and 2019, involved renovating and extending the building and reducing the number of beds to 64.
The hut lies to the south-east of the Winterstock and to the north of the Furka Pass road, where the European watershed runs. To the west lie the Bielenhörner and the Galenstock. The granite walls surrounding the hut offer climbing routes to the Lochberg, the Gletschhorn, the Dammazwillinge and the Graue Wand. On the Urner Haute Route, the stage following the hut continues via the Winterlücke and the Lochberg. The hut organises a Jass evening on Tuesdays (Jassen am Dienstag) and, during the summer season, a dinner on Fridays (Freitags-Schmaus).
Climbs
Chli Bielenhorn
Galenstock
Gletschhorn
Gross Bielenhorn
Lochberg
Tiefenstock
Winterstock
Traverses
Chelenalphütte via the Lochberglücke
Dammahütte via the Lochberglücke
Sidelenhütte via the Nepali Highway
Trifthütte via the northern Tiefensattel
Hikes
Furka-Höhenweg towards Andermatt
Göschener Alp via the Lochberglücke
Schafberg
Winter routes
Ski mountaineering
Chli Bielenhorn
Galenstock
Lochberg via the Winterlücke
Tiefenstock
Information
Information
altitude: 2,542 m
owner: CAS Uto Section
manager: Roman Felber
sleeping capacity: 64
winter lounge: yes – 8 seats
opening period: staffed in March, April and from July to September; partially staffed in January, February, June, October and December; closed in May and November
water: available in the hut
lighting: electric
facilities: ask the manager
Wi-Fi: no
device charging: ask the manager
Contact details
telephone: +41 41 887 17 45
email: info@albertheimhuette.ch
official website: https://www.albertheimhuette.ch/