Albert Deffeyes Hut

Rifugio Albert Deffeyes is an alpine hut (rifugio) located in the La Thuile valley in the Graian Alps of the Aosta Valley, Italy, at an elevation of 2,500 metres above sea level. It was built in 1953 and dedicated to Albert Deffeyes, a Valdostan politician. The hut sits at the foot of the Tête du Ruitor and the Rutor glacier, in a basin rich with alpine lakes. It is a stage point on the Alta Via della Valle d'Aosta No. 2, a high-mountain hiking route. The refuge can accommodate up to 92 people and has running drinking water. It is managed by Sergio Pestarino, who was born in Milan in 1957 and has extensive experience as an alpine and free-climbing instructor, having managed other refuges in the past. The hut offers dining services, typically from mid-June to mid-September, and accepts cash and SEPA bank transfers but not credit cards. Access is typically from the village of La Joux (1,607 m) via a trail that takes about two and a half hours, passing the three Rutor waterfalls. The hut is also a base for climbs such as the Tête du Ruitor (3,486 m) and traverses to the Refuge des Anges au Morion (2,912 m).

The Albert Deffeyes Hut was built in 1953 and dedicated to Albert Deffeyes, a Valdostan politician. It is located in the La Thuile valley, which extends from the village of Pré-Saint-Didier to the Little St Bernard Pass, along the Doire du Verney river in the Italian Graian Alps. The hut sits at an elevation of 2,500 metres, at the foot of the Tête du Ruitor and the Rutor glacier, in a basin particularly rich in alpine lakes. It is a stage point on the Alta Via della Valle d'Aosta No. 2, a high-mountain hiking route. The refuge can accommodate up to 92 people and provides running drinking water. Access is typically from the hamlet of La Joux (1,607 m), where the trail begins; the hike to the refuge takes about two and a half hours and passes the three suggestive Rutor waterfalls. The hut is a base for ascents such as the Tête du Ruitor (3,486 m) and traverses to the Refuge des Anges au Morion (2,912 m). It also offers climbing opportunities almost directly above the adjacent lake, with routes ranging from grade 5c to 7a. The current manager is Sergio Pestarino, born in Milan in 1957, a former alpine and free-climbing instructor of the A. Parravicini school (CAI Milano). He managed the Scarpa hut at Agnér (CAI Agordo) from 1997 to 2002 and the Rosalba hut in Grignetta (CAI Milano) from 1989 to 1992. From 2014 to 2016, he also managed the Antelao hut in the Belluno Dolomites with his wife. He has extensive mountaineering experience on rock, ice, and high-altitude ascents, as well as ski mountaineering. He is also a teacher of yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques. The hut is typically open from mid-June to mid-September; for 2026, it is scheduled to be open from 20 June to 13 September. Lunch is served from 12:00 to 14:30, and no reservation is required for lunch. For overnight stays, guests must bring a sheet bag and refuge shoes; disposable sheet bags are available for purchase. Payment is accepted in cash and SEPA bank transfers; credit and debit cards are not accepted.

• 2014

  Sergio Pestarino and his wife manage the Antelao hut in the Belluno Dolomites until 2016.

• 1997

  Sergio Pestarino manages the Scarpa hut at Agnér (CAI Agordo) until 2002.

• 1989

  Sergio Pestarino manages the Rosalba hut in Grignetta (CAI Milano) until 1992.

• 1953

  The Albert Deffeyes Hut is built and dedicated to Albert Deffeyes.

A traditional alpine refuge offering hospitality and a base for high-mountain activities in the Aosta Valley.

• Overnight accommodation

  The hut can accommodate up to 92 people and provides running drinking water. Guests must bring a sheet bag and refuge shoes.

• Lunch service

  Lunch is served from 12:00 to 14:30; no reservation is required for lunch.

• Climbing access

  Climbing routes almost directly above the adjacent lake, ranging from grade 5c to 7a.

1. 1Rifugio Deffeyes – Official Websiterifugiodeffeyes.it
2. 2Chi siamo – Rifugio Deffeyesrifugiodeffeyes.it
3. 3Albert Deffeyes Hut – Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Refuge Albert Deffeyes – Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org