Does anyone have any information on these? Particularly, best way to contact them for reservations, personal experiences, recommendations, etc. We are looking to do an overnight or possibly two, not real high altitude in mid-late June in the regions of either Ticino, Berner Oberland, Valais or Central Switzerland.

The Swiss Alpine Club has many huts in the mountains. Here http://www.sac-cas.ch/ you can see all the information, unfortunately only in german and french - just ask if you don't understand something.

Here's a link to a site that has information on some of the mountain inns above Grindelwald and Wengen: skisnowboardeurope.com/junfrau/lodging.html (It has the in-town hotels listed as well, so you have to scroll down a bit).

Hi Traveller,
I have stayed at many berghotels in CH.

They are used mainly for climbers, serious trekkers and skiers.

This is not the same as a Hostel. The accommodations are quite spartan
Typically that includes dorm accommodations, unheated (except for dining area), no flush toilets. Water must be purchased.

Strict lights out policy at 9:30 or 10 pm., and the place will be hopping with all lights on at 4 or 5 am as the climbers prepare to leave.

I encourage you to do this as it is not a typical tourist experience. Most folks will be local Swiss or German…unless you choose a hut positioned for bagging one of the famous peaks such as Hornli Hutte for the Matterhorn.

Its also might be fun to be around at 2 or 3 in the afternoon when the climbers are returning.

June is still early, many huts may not yet be open, however many are open year round.
I did a trip report including a stay in a couple huts in June. Its called Saas Fee if you do a search. I will top it for you.

Thanks all for the inputs. Right now looking at doing the First-Faulhorn-Schyige Platte trek in the Grindelwald area. Considering the berghaus at First to stage ourselves for first thing am trek or would it be better to get to Faulhorn for the night day before, considering the spectacular view and history of that berghaus (highest and oldest mountain inn in Switzerland?) but seems expensive. And a night at the berghaus Schnyige Plate or descent to Wilderswil for the night? Hike or train to Wilderswil? If night at Schnyige Platte will hike to Wilderswil in the morning, if not we'll take train...understand last one is at 6pm. Alot of possibilities, has anyone done this hike? What do you recommend, I understand its about 6.5 hours and we'd like to break it up between two days....some of us old farts but fit and a group of 20 year olds. We understand some accomo are bunks with bare mattress, blanket, pillow...very spartan, think thats great! You could say I'm on two ends of the spectrum, thoroughly enjoy the thought of spartan mountain accomodations, cold showers, if that...lights out, simple meals, being the only Americans and meeting others, etc. But love a 5* hotel at some point in the trip too

Did you know that there is a very small hut (25 beds) in the middle of the tour? Have not stayed there, though. But I enjoyed a nice lunch break there. Very friendly folks.

If you want to see some pics of the hike and that little hut (Weberhütte, also called Männdlenen) here is a link:
http://www.bergclub-unitas.ch/htm/08_schynigeplatte/
For tel. No. (reservation required) you can have a look at this website:
http://www.vs-wallis.ch/bern/huetverz/menndlenen.html

I would recommend you do the hike as follows:
cog-wheel train Wilderswil to Schynige Platte, hike to Weberhütte, overnight there. Next morning hike via Faulhorn to First and down by gondola.

I would not recommend to hike down to either Grindelwald or Wilderswil. Better enjoy the views from the top, take more time for the hike and take the gondola down. Better for your knees

Oops, just saw the Weberhütte has a website:
www.berghaus-maenndlenen.ch

Ingo,
Thanks for the great response. Yes I did know about the Weberhutte. Question though, most recommend doing the trek starting Wilderswil and ending in Grindelwald so question is what about the other way around? Will be with a group where some may not want to do the hike and therefore most want to stay in Grindelwald in which case we'd like to start there...do the hike and train back to Grindelwald from Wilderswil. Do you have any thoughts on doing it this way? I understand the latter part of the hike from First to Faulhorn is quite steep but then from Faulhorn on its pretty much a gradual downhill. Thanks again.

You can do the hike either way, of course. There are some reasons, though, why most folks do it Schynige Platte - First:

It is simply more spectacular to ride the cog-wheel train from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte UP instead of DOWN. After passing the last short tunnel you see the Jungfrau-Eiger-Mönch panorama at once which is gorgeous. Jaw dropping. And the views during the hike are IMO better - looking forward (in your hiking direction) without turning your head to the side all the time.

Also, I found it to be more convenient to have a slightly ascending path and then down steeply for a short time (in hairpin curves) instead of vice versa. (Yes, you understood that right)

Another thought: There are two options of the path at the Schynige Platte end: either the short/direct one or via the two little "peaks" called Tuba and Oberberghorn. The latter route is a bit longer and includes a few iron staircases (safe though). The views to both sides of the mountain ridge (you can also see the Lakes of Brienz and Thun from there) are stunning and worth the detour. I would in any case like to do that part (due to the iron staircases etc.) at the beginning of the tour, not the end when the members fo the group are somewhat exhausted.

And a last thought: at certain times folks like to enjoy the evening at Schynige Platte (in the restaurant e.g.) and wait for the last train to go down. Could be crowded - and the capacity is limited. Not sure if you should make a reservation with a group. Unlike that it is no problem at First to get down by gondola to Grindelwald.

Ingo

Ingo,
Thanks again. Tremendous advice. I had heard from someone else to do the hike in the direction you recommend for the same reasons, the view and not having to keep turning around.

We'd still like to break it up and perhaps stay at Faulhorn, have you stayed there? And then perhaps not directly descend at First but add another hike to that next day.

Thanks for the tip on the two route at beginning...sounds like thats right up our alley.

Happy travels.

You're welcome. No, I have not stayed at the Faulhorn hotel. I use to book a week at least in a hotel or apartment in the villages, so I get a good rate and do the hikes and day trips from there.

Good idea to add another hike. I suggest you have a look into the routes towards Grosse Scheidegg. You could either pass First station and continue via the southern slopes to Grosse Scheidegg OR you hike towards the Schwarzhorn Mt.

The latter is more remote. From Faulhorn to the little lake "Hagelseewli", from there on the nothern side of the mountain crest which leads to the Schwarzhorn, around that mountain and south to Grosse Scheidegg. Approx. 4.5 to 5 hours hiking time. Easy, but the descent after passing the pass at Schwarzhorn is a bit steep.

Let me know if I can help further.

Forgot to add: there is a bus service from Grosse Scheidegg down to Grindelwald.

Thanks again Ingo, great info! I think our biggest issue is going to be whether or not the Faulhorn hike is doable in mid-June as its the beginning of the season...so we won't know until very close to the trip the status of that hike. I like the other suggestions and will explore.