The Moosalp Cabin – A Slow Travel Haven

A place for slow adventures 

We’ve probably all heard this phrase at some point in our lives. While it seems a cliché, it is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced, instant-gratification society, which privileges the outcome more than the process. ‘More is better’ (especially when done faster) has become a mantra in our daily lives. This attitude permeates every aspect of our professional, social, and personal spheres. So, it is no surprise that even going on holiday has become daunting – the planning, preparation, and logistics can sometimes be overwhelming.

How often have you returned from a vacation feeling more tired than when you left? The need to maximize our holiday time and pack in as many experiences as possible can leave us feeling burned out – the opposite of what a holiday should be about: downtime and enjoyment.

What if we could approach our holidays (and experiences) differently – as an opportunity to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with nature, ourselves, and others? Imagine taking the time to unwind and immerse in the local environment, enjoying simple pleasures like reading a book, chopping wood, baking a loaf of bread, and going for a ride or a walk in the woods. 

Here is where the concept of slow travel (sustainable travel/ tourism or mindful travel) comes in. This idea is increasingly gaining traction and promotes traveling more mindfully and responsibly and enjoying our surroundings, even if it means doing less. Luckily, and in response to this growing need to slow down and travel sustainably, places like the cozy Moosalp Hut in Valais, Switzerland, offer the possibility to foster this mindset.

We discovered this hidden alpine gem when we started crafting our Haute Route adventures, and it really stuck with us. The uniqueness of this place and the concept it embodies – slowing down to savor life – mirrors the holistic nature of our experiences and prompted us to share with you the story of this unique cabin in the woods. 

An outdoor spa above the clouds

Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the Canton of Valais, this rustic but charming wooden cabin, which looks like something out of a fairy tale, is perched on the Moosalp Mountain Pass (above 2,000 meters). Overlooking the vast Rhone Valley, this alpine hut offers breathtaking panoramas of some of Valais’ most imposing mountains, like the Bietschhorn (to the North), the Weisshorn and Mischabel Group, a collection of five 4,000-meter-high peaks (to the South) – the dream of any mountain enthusiast. Surrounded by an evergreen larsh forest and alpine meadows, the pristine and tranquil setting, as well as its proximity to trails and ski stations, make this place the perfect spot for outdoor lovers seeking an immersive experience year-round, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The Moosalp Hut is a highlight of some of our e-bike Haute Route experiences (like the mythical Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route, the Verbier-Zermatt Haute Route, and the Family and Friends Haute Route) and a favorite for many of our riders. Its picturesque setting, quintessentially alpine architecture, and the experience this place offers leave a lasting impression on everyone who visits it (read the fascinating testimonials here to get an idea).   

Reto Gilli and Daniel Wunderlin, co-founders of ProJacks – a company that builds wooden cabins and promotes sustainable travel – created this place to offer an immersive experience “to slow down and reconnect with nature and yourself.” In their words, at the Moosalp Hut, “you can feel the connection between your actions and wellbeing, like making your bread in a fire-heated stove, heating your outdoor spa tub and sauna and contemplating beautiful sunrises. You can also chop wood to warm the place up.” ProJacks’ ethos of reconnecting with ‘real life’ and striving to promote local sustainable tourism is very much in line with ours. 

When less is more 

With some of the best views in the Alps and a prime location, the Moosalp Mountain Hut offers countless possibilities to adventure lovers, not to mention the “best views in the Alps and the best ‘Cremschnitte’ (the equivalent of a Napoleon cake) in the world at the renowned Moosalp Restaurant,” according to Reto. Conveniently located above the town of Visp, the cabin is accessible from the scenic towns of Bürchen and Törbel. You can get there by car (but your off-road driving skills will tested!). Otherwise, you can leave your car in Moosalp or take the Post bus and reach the hut on foot or by bike :) – a perfect way to start your slow travel experience.

This rustic cabin packs a punch. Its charm lies in the simplicity of its design. Its wooden walls and ceiling make it inviting and cozy, while its stone floor gives it a lived-in feel.  The cabin’s design fosters interaction with its dormitory-style room (fitting ten people) and open living area. While small, it has everything you could possibly need (and want) for a fulfilling holiday with family, friends, or alone: a fully-equipped kitchen with an oven, a dry toilet, firewood, a fireplace, board games, books, and a guitar, plus a wellness area (an outdoor wooden tub and a sauna) with a five-star view. Whether you are into board games, self-care, or sports, there’s something for everyone. If you want to return to basics, this is the perfect place. The hut is powered by solar panels and heated with firewood. Cellphone reception is pretty patchy inside the hut, perfect for disconnecting. 

You can rent the hut for shorter ‘slowdown’ periods of 6 nights up to longer 28-day timeout stays.

While this mountain hut is open year-round, the best time to visit, according to Reto, is between June and October. A whole network of mountain bike and hiking trails is a stone’s throw from the cabin. The scenic and exhilarating MTB trail from Moosalp (via Bürchneralp) to Unterbäch, passing through Eischoll and zigzagging down to sunny Gampel, is a gem, according to Reto. However, during winter, this place turns into a wonderland. You can reach the slopes of the Unterrat ski station by ski or snowboard from the hut. 

Responsible tourism

One of the most fascinating things about this alpine hut is that it is 100% climate-neutral. So, they practice what they preach, taking the concept of slow/ sustainable tourism seriously. You can learn more about it here: https://www.projacks.ch/nachhaltigkeit/. ProJacks supports Plant-for-the-Planet, an organization promoting global forest restoration practices to halt biodiversity loss and address climate change. They want to encourage people to plant trees and reach the ambitious goal of planting 8 million trees – a tree per Swiss citizen. 

Perched atop a panoramic mountain pass, the Moosalp Alpine Hut is an oasis of calm, wellness, introspection, and connection available to those looking to return to basics and experience holidays differently. You can learn more about this enchanting place on their website: https://www.projacks.ch/moosalphuette/.