Rifugio Allievi-Bonacossa

Rifugio Allievi-Bonacossa is a historic alpine mountain hut located in the upper Valle di Zocca, a northern side valley of Val Masino in the Lombardy region of Italy. Situated at an elevation of 2,388 metres above sea level within the municipality of Val Masino, the hut lies in the Southern Bergell – Monte Disgrazia mountain group of the Bernina Alps. It is a key stop on the Sentiero Roma, a high-altitude alpine trail. The facility is owned and operated by the Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), Italy's national alpine club. The hut is a double structure, comprising two connected buildings. The original Rifugio Allievi was built in 1905 by the Milan section of the CAI, replacing an earlier simple hut from 1897 that had been destroyed the following year. The second building, Rifugio Bonacossa, was opened in 1988 after four years of construction, just a few metres from the original hut. Together they form the Rifugio Allievi-Bonacossa, which is typically open continuously from late June to late September, as well as on weekends in June. It offers 70 sleeping places for mountaineers and also has a winter room with six beds. The hut is dedicated to two figures: Francesco Allievi, a mountaineer who particularly loved the Valle di Zocca, and the brothers Aldo and Alberto Bonacossa. Aldo Bonacossa was a member of the Club Alpino Accademico Italiano and in 1915 authored the first Italian-language guidebook to the Ortler group. His brother Alberto served as president of the Milan section of the CAI between 1930 and 1937. Throughout its history, the hut has been damaged by avalanches and rebuilt several times. It was severely damaged by an avalanche in 1916 and restored by Alpini troops two years later; during World War I it served as a base for guarding the Swiss border. In World War II it was used by the Resistance and was heavily damaged in 1944 during a raid by soldiers of the fascist Italian Social Republic. It was rebuilt by the CAI in 1950. In 2000, both huts were severely damaged by an avalanche and subsequently renovated. The Rifugio Allievi-Bonacossa provides hospitality services including food, accommodation, and information for climbers and hikers. It is a starting point for numerous climbing routes in the Val di Zocca, and the official website offers detailed route reports and updates on climbing conditions, such as rebolting and replacement of anchors. Access is typically from Val di Mello (1,049 m) in about 4 hours. The hut also serves as a base for transitions to neighbouring huts, including the Gianetti Hut (2,534 m, about 5 hours), the Ponti Hut (2,559 m, about 5.5 hours), and the Albigna Hut (2,336 m, via Passo di Zocca, T5).

The history of the Rifugio Allievi-Bonacossa begins in 1897, when the Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) built a simple hut at the site in the upper Valle di Zocca. This first hut, known as Capanna Zocca, was destroyed the following year. In 1905, the section constructed a new building, which was severely damaged by an avalanche in 1916. Two years later, the Alpini (Italian mountain troops) restored the hut. During World War I, it served as a base for guarding the Swiss border, as the Italian military feared an incursion by the Central Powers through neutral Switzerland. The hut was dedicated to the mountaineer Francesco Allievi, who particularly loved the Valle di Zocca. During World War II, the hut was used by the Italian Resistance and was heavily damaged in 1944 during a raid by soldiers of the fascist Italian Social Republic. In 1950, the CAI rebuilt the Rifugio Allievi. In 1988, after four years of construction, the Rifugio Bonacossa opened just a few steps away. This second building is dedicated to the brothers Aldo and Alberto Bonacossa. Aldo Bonacossa was a member of the Club Alpino Accademico Italiano and in 1915 authored the first Italian-language guidebook to the Ortler group. His brother Alberto served as president of the Milan section of the CAI between 1930 and 1937. In 2000, both huts were severely damaged by an avalanche and subsequently renovated. The double hut, now known as Rifugio Allievi-Bonacossa, continues to operate under the ownership of the CAI. It is typically open from late June to late September, and on weekends in June. It provides 70 beds and a winter room with six beds. The hut is a key stop on the Sentiero Roma and serves as a base for climbing routes in the Val di Zocca, with the official website offering detailed route reports and updates on climbing conditions.

• 2000

  Both huts severely damaged by an avalanche and subsequently renovated.

• 1988

  Rifugio Bonacossa opened after four years of construction, dedicated to Aldo and Alberto Bonacossa.

• 1950

  Rifugio Allievi rebuilt by the CAI.

• 1944

  Hut heavily damaged during a raid by soldiers of the fascist Italian Social Republic; used by the Resistance during World War II.

• 1918

  Hut restored by the Alpini; used as a base for guarding the Swiss border during World War I.

• 1916

  Hut severely damaged by an avalanche.

• 1905

  New hut built by the Milan section of the CAI, dedicated to Francesco Allievi.

• 1898

  Capanna Zocca destroyed.

• 1897

  First simple hut (Capanna Zocca) built by the Milan section of the CAI at the site.

A historic alpine hut offering essential hospitality and information for mountaineers and hikers in the Italian Alps.

• Overnight accommodation

  70 sleeping places for mountaineers, plus a winter room with six beds.

• Meals and refreshments

  Hospitality services including food and drinks for guests.

• Climbing route information

  Detailed route reports and updates on climbing conditions, such as rebolting and anchor replacement, for routes in the Val di Zocca.

1. 1Home - Rifugio Allievi Bonacossarifugioallievibonacossa.it
2. 2Rifugio Allievi-Bonacossa - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Allievi-Bonacossa - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org