Rifugio della Gardetta

Rifugio della Gardetta is an alpine hut (rifugio alpino) in the municipality of Canosio, in the Maira Valley of the Cottian Alps, Piedmont, Italy. It sits at 2,335 metres above sea level on the Altopiano della Gardetta, just east of the Gardetta pass. The building is a two-storey masonry structure of stone with a wood-lined interior, equipped with internal toilets, running water (including hot water), a kitchen and 45 beds, and it also offers restaurant service. Its electrical system is powered by photovoltaic panels. It is open continuously from 15 June to 30 September and on request during other periods of the year; it has no winter room. The hut derives from the renovation of an old military shelter used during the Second World War and was inaugurated in 1994. The area where it stands once hosted numerous fortifications of the Vallo Alpino del Littorio, to whose complex the hut structure itself belonged; the remains of these fortifications can still be visited using the hut as a base or stage point. The structure lies under one of the darkest skies in Europe, making it possible to observe all the constellations, accompanied by an expert, during the many star evenings offered free of charge by the hut. Access in summer is on foot, by MTB, gravel bike, e-bike or on horseback; car transit on the dirt road of the Gardetta plateau is prohibited. The most convenient access is from Colle Valcavera, following the old military road that crosses the Gardetta plateau in an ESE-WNW direction to the pass of the same name. Colle Valcavera can be reached from Demonte in the Stura Valley, from Castelmagno in the Grana Valley, or from the Marmora valley in the Maira Valley. An alternative, longer access is from Canosio, in the Maira Valley, climbing the Preit valley to Colle del Preit, which overlooks the Gardetta plateau. Another possible access is from Acceglio, climbing the Unerzio valley by road and then reaching the Gardetta pass on foot. All itineraries are hiking routes of difficulty T, though they are characterised by a certain length. The hut is near the route of the Grande Traversata delle Alpi, in particular the variant known as the high valleys route, on the stage linking Pontebernardo to Chialvetta; this stage coincides with stage R136 of the red route of the Via Alpina. It is also a stage point for the Percorsi Occitani trekking, a 15-day ring around the Maira Valley, straddling the tenth stage (Chialvetta - rifugio Gardetta) and the eleventh stage (Gardetta - Arata di Marmora). Ascents from the hut include Rocca la Meja (2,831 m), Monte Oserot (2,860 m), Monte Cassorzo (2,776 m) and Punta Eco (2,701 m). According to its official website, the 2026 season includes opening from 21 September with half-board service, dinner and bar service, with sandwiches and cutting boards, active throughout the day; the hut is closed on 26 and 27 September. Reservations are mandatory via WhatsApp or email for sleeping, eating, take-away and pitching a tent in the hut area. A deposit of €10 per person is required to confirm a stay booking, refundable only for cancellations communicated at least 30 days in advance. Guests are asked to bring slippers, a sleeping bag, a pillowcase and a single sheet; linen can be rented. Booking times are strict, and large groups are invited to contact the hut in other periods of the year as well.

Rifugio della Gardetta derives from the renovation of an old military shelter used during the Second World War and was inaugurated in 1994. It stands on the Altopiano della Gardetta, just east of the Gardetta pass, in the municipality of Canosio (CN), in the Maira Valley of the Cottian Alps. The area where the hut rises once hosted numerous fortifications of the Vallo Alpino del Littorio, to whose complex the hut structure itself belonged; the remains of these fortifications can today be visited using the hut as a base or stage point. The building is a two-storey masonry construction of stone, with the interior lined in wood. It is equipped with internal toilets, internal running water including hot water, a kitchen and 45 beds; it also offers restaurant service. The electrical system is powered by photovoltaic panels. The hut is open continuously from 15 June to 30 September, and on request during the other periods of the year; it has no winter room. The structure lies under one of the darkest skies in Europe, which makes it possible to observe all the constellations, accompanied by an expert, during the numerous star evenings offered free of charge by the hut. Access in summer is on foot, by MTB, gravel bike, e-bike or on horseback; car transit on the dirt road of the Gardetta plateau is prohibited. The most convenient access is from Colle Valcavera, following the old military road that crosses the Gardetta plateau in an ESE-WNW direction to the pass of the same name. Colle Valcavera can be reached from Demonte in the Stura Valley, from Castelmagno in the Grana Valley, or from the Marmora valley in the Maira Valley. An alternative, longer access is from Canosio, in the Maira Valley, climbing the Preit valley to Colle del Preit, which overlooks the Gardetta plateau. Another possible access is from Acceglio, climbing the Unerzio valley by road and then reaching the Gardetta pass on foot. All itineraries are hiking routes of difficulty T, though they are characterised by a certain length. The hut is near the route of the Grande Traversata delle Alpi, in particular the variant known as the high valleys route, on the stage linking Pontebernardo to Chialvetta; this stage coincides with stage R136 of the red route of the Via Alpina. It is also a stage point for the Percorsi Occitani trekking, a 15-day ring around the Maira Valley, straddling the tenth stage (Chialvetta - rifugio Gardetta) and the eleventh stage (Gardetta - Arata di Marmora). Ascents from the hut include Rocca la Meja (2,831 m), Monte Oserot (2,860 m), Monte Cassorzo (2,776 m) and Punta Eco (2,701 m). According to its official website, the 2026 season includes opening from 21 September with half-board service, dinner and bar service, with sandwiches and cutting boards, active throughout the day; the hut is closed on 26 and 27 September. Reservations are mandatory via WhatsApp or email for sleeping, eating, take-away and pitching a tent in the hut area. A deposit of €10 per person is required to confirm a stay booking, refundable only for cancellations communicated at least 30 days in advance. Guests are asked to bring slippers, a sleeping bag, a pillowcase and a single sheet; linen can be rented. Booking times are strict, and large groups are invited to contact the hut in other periods of the year as well.

• 2026

  2026 season includes opening from 21 September with half-board, dinner and bar service; closed 26–27 September.

• 1994

  Inaugurated after renovation of an old WWII military shelter.

A high-altitude CAI alpine hut and stage point on major Piedmont trekking routes, offering simple accommodation, dining and dark-sky stargazing in a restored WWII military structure.

• Alpine hut accommodation (45 beds)

• Half-board stays

• Restaurant and bar service

• Sandwiches and cutting boards

• Take-away service

• Tent pitch area

• Linen rental

• Guided star-gazing evenings

1. 1Rifugio Gardetta – Rifugio CAIrifugiogardetta.it
2. 2Rifugio della Gardetta – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio della Gardetta – Wikipedia (Italian)it.wikipedia.org