By Colleen Thomas, Tribune News Service

I’m trekking down the side of a Swiss mountain, and I see my salvation far below in the lush green valley. The structure appears no bigger than a dot, yet it has what I’m craving: a hot meal and a bed.

On foot, it’s still three hours away. I breathe in, filling my lungs with fresh Alpine air, and I put my legs back to work as I exhale, revitalized.

My destination is Rotstockhutte, one of hundreds of hiker huts across the Alps that offer food, rest and respite from the elements amid stunning mountain scenery. Many can be reached only by trail or helicopter. All guarantee a memorable experience for outdoor adventurers.

A view of Rotstockhutte, barely visible from somewhere around 1,000 feet above. (Catherine Petrusz/Tribune News Service/TNS)

I had

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