If you are dreaming of your first overnight hiking adventure in Switzerland, look no further than the Cabane Rambert. The cabane is nestled high above Ovronnaz in the Vaud Alps, and at the base of the Grand Muveran. This Swiss Alpine Club hut combines stunning alpine scenery, friendly mountain hospitality, and just the right amount of challenge. Starting your hike from Saint-Maurice, a historic town in the Rhône Valley, you will journey through forests, meadows, and dramatic rocky landscapes before reaching the hut, where the views and the atmosphere are simply unforgettable.

Your adventure begins in the charming town of Saint-Maurice, known for its 1,500-year-old abbey and as the gateway to the Vaud Alps. From here, a short transfer takes you to Ovronnaz, the classic starting point for the hike. The trail to Cabane Rambert is well-marked and winds gradually upwards, offering plenty of stops to catch your breath and take in the views of the Rhône Valley below.

The hike is about 3 to 4 hours depending on your pace, with an altitude gain of roughly 1,100 meters. The path begins with alpine meadows where cows graze peacefully, before giving way to rockier, high-mountain terrain. As you climb, the Dent de Morcles, Grand Chavalard and Grand Muveran peaks dominate the skyline, making every step feel like part of a cinematic alpine experience.

Reaching the hut is a reward. Perched at 2,580 meters, Cabane Rambert greets hikers with its rustic charm and panoramic views stretching from the Rhône Valley to Mont Blanc on a clear day. Inside, you will find a cozy dining room, hearty mountain meals, and dormitory-style accommodation. Dinner is typically served family-style, where hikers share stories and laughter over dishes like rösti or alpine cheese fondue. Don’t forget to step outside after sunset, the starlit sky above the Vaud Alps is breathtaking.

Cabane Rambert is one of the most iconic mountain refuges in Switzerland. For hikers today, it is a welcoming stop with warm meals and breathtaking views of Dents-du-Midi, Mont Blanc, and Lake Leman far below. But behind its stone walls lies a story stretching back more than a century, a story filled with ambition, community, and a deep love for the mountains.

The Early Days: A Vision in the 19th Century: The idea of building a hut near the Muveran massif first arose in the late 1800s, when mountaineering was booming in Switzerland. The Swiss Alpine Club (SAC), founded in 1863, was encouraging exploration and needed shelters for climbers aiming to summit peaks or cross passes. In 1895, the Lausanne section of the SAC laid the first stones of what would become Cabane Rambert, naming it in honor of Eugène Rambert, a Swiss poet, writer, and naturalist who celebrated the beauty of the Alps in his work. Built by hand with local stone and wood, the hut was modest, offering basic shelter for mountaineers braving unpredictable alpine conditions.

Between Tradition and Transformation: For decades, Cabane Rambert served climbers and hikers heading for the Grand Muveran (3,051 m), offering a safe place to spend the night. In those early years, the hut was simple: wooden bunks, a small stove, and little else. Water came from melted snow, and supplies had to be carried up by mule or on the backs of volunteers. As mountaineering grew more popular in the 20th Century, the hut saw several renovations. It was expanded to add sleeping space and a kitchen, modernized to meet safety standards, and made more accessible to a wider audience. Each transformation reflected not only new building techniques but also the growing popularity of hiking in Switzerland.

From Climbers to Families, A Hut for Everyone: By the late 20th and early 21st century, Cabane Rambert had evolved from a mountaineers’ refuge into a welcoming destination for hikers of all levels. Its location, just a few hours’ climb from Ovronnaz, makes it popular for two-day or weekend hikes. Families, school groups, and first-time visitors to Switzerland now share the hut with seasoned alpinists, creating a vibrant mix of guests. Despite the modernization, with dormitories, a dining room, and hearty alpine meals — the hut retains its rustic charm. Stepping inside today, hikers still feel connected to the generations of climbers who once rested here, watching the same alpine sunsets and listening to the same wind rushing over the ridges.

The Legacy of Cabane Rambert: From its modest beginnings in 1895 to its modern role as a hub for hikers and climbers, Cabane Rambert has always embodied the spirit of the Swiss Alps: resilience, community, and respect for nature. It is more than just a hut; it’s a cultural landmark, a link between past and present, and a reminder that the mountains are both a challenge and a gift. Whether you visit for a day hike or stay overnight on your way to the Grand Muveran, Cabane Rambert invites you to become part of its story, one that began more than a century ago and continues to inspire hikers from all over the world.

Cabane Rambert is accessible yet rewarding. A challenging but manageable climb with unforgettable views. You will enjoy cultural immersion. At the cabane you can share a meal with fellow hikers and experience SAC traditions. The hike itself provides scenic diversity. You will walk though meadows, rocky paths, glaciers, and panoramic mountain views. A perfect add on is ending your adventure with a visit to the Ovronnaz thermal baths. For first-time visitors or anyone curious about multi-day hikes in Switzerland, the route from Saint-Maurice to Cabane Rambert is the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation.

Morning at Cabane Rambert is magical. Wake up early to catch the first light painting the mountains in shades of pink and gold, an experience that makes the climb more than worthwhile. After breakfast, you can either retrace your steps back to Ovronnaz or, if you’re feeling adventurous, continue along a circular route that offers new perspectives of the Muverans massif. The descent back into the valley takes around 2–3 hours, with the option to reward yourself at the thermal baths of Ovronnaz. Soaking in warm alpine waters while gazing back at the mountains you just explored is the perfect way to end your two-day hike.

Like most SAC huts in Switzerland, Cabane Rambert offers simple but welcoming facilities. A night in a dormitory costs around 35–45 CHF for members and 45–60 CHF for non-members. Meals are typically served as half-board, with dinner and breakfast included for 40–60 CHF. Drinks and snacks are available during the day, making the hut a great stop for day-hikers as well. Remember to carry cash in Swiss francs, as card payments are often not possible in mountain huts.

Planning a two-day hike in the Alps can feel daunting, but with Easy Trek, it becomes a breeze. You can check real-time hut availability, easily book your overnight stay, and download your paths. Easy Trek also provides insider tips on trail difficulty, hut amenities, and regional highlights, ensuring your adventure is smooth and unforgettable.

Check out Easy Trek today and start planning your overnight hiking adventure to Cabane Rambert. Whether you come for the views, the hut experience, or the thermal baths waiting below, this two-day hike will stay with you long after you return to the valley.