Rifugio Malinvern

Rifugio Malinvern is an alpine mountain hut (rifugio) located at approximately 1,836–1,840 metres above sea level in the territory of Vinadio, in the Stura di Demonte valley, within the Maritime Alps of Piedmont, Italy. It sits in the heart of the Maritime Alps and serves as a meeting point for mountain lovers, hikers and those seeking uncontaminated nature and traditional alpine cuisine. The hut is named after the nearby Testa Malinvern peak and is sometimes also referred to as Rifugio Città di Ceva or Malinvern – Città di Ceva. The original Rifugio Malinvern was built between June and October 1940 as a single-storey masonry building with an attic, internal masonite cladding and a galvanised sheet metal roof. It had heating stoves, running water and a capacity of eighteen beds. It was looted and set on fire by vandals after the events of 8 September 1943, during the Second World War, and was destroyed. The current building was constructed in the 1990s and officially inaugurated on 15 September 2002, thanks to the efforts of the CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) section of Ceva, which still manages the hut today. The modern structure is a two-storey masonry building with a large glass window on the facade. It offers a total of 38 beds distributed across a two-bed room, two three-bed rooms, two six-bed rooms and two nine-bed dormitories. Each floor has hot water, toilets and showers, with four bathrooms in total. The ground floor houses a dining room and a kitchen. Electricity is supplied by a small hydroelectric turbine. The hut also has a heating system and a stove. Rifugio Malinvern is a year-round destination for excursions, trekking, alpinism and ski mountaineering. It is a starting point for panoramic walks through woods and high-altitude pastures, as well as more demanding hikes to surrounding peaks. It lies on routes including the Via Alpina and the Grande Traversata delle Alpi, and provides access to several alpine lakes such as Lago Martel, Lago Nero, the Aver lakes, Lago Malinvern and the Paur lakes, as well as peaks including Testa Malinvern, Cima Rossa, Rocca La Paur and Cima della Lombarda. Near the hut, climbers can practise rock climbing on fifteen equipped routes and another equipped wall nearby. The hut's kitchen serves typical local dishes, and the welcoming atmosphere is designed to make every stay special. Services include daily room cleaning, charging for electronic devices, family rooms, heating and an internal stove, e-bike charging, shared bathrooms with hot water, bed linen (paid service, on reservation), disposable sheet bags (paid service), laundry service (€8) and pets allowed (€10). Staff speak Italian, French, English and German. The Rifugio Malinvern also operates the Revelin Bistrot, a gastronomic oasis in Vinadio at the foot of Forte Albertino. As a brand, Rifugio Malinvern represents a historic alpine hospitality offering tied to the CAI and the cultural heritage of the Maritime Alps. It combines accommodation, food and mountain guiding information under a single identity, with a strong emphasis on tradition, nature and accessibility in all seasons.

The first Rifugio Malinvern was built between June and October 1940. It was a single-storey masonry building with an attic, internal masonite cladding and a galvanised sheet metal roof. It was equipped with heating stoves and running water, and had a capacity of eighteen beds. After the events of 8 September 1943, during the Second World War, the hut was looted and set on fire by vandals, and it was destroyed. The current building was constructed in the 1990s. It was officially inaugurated on 15 September 2002, thanks to the initiative of the CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) section of Ceva, which still manages the hut. The hut takes its name from the nearby Testa Malinvern peak. The modern structure is a two-storey masonry building with a large glass window on the facade. It has a total of 38 beds, distributed across a two-bed room, two three-bed rooms, two six-bed rooms and two nine-bed dormitories. Each floor is equipped with hot water, toilets and showers, for a total of four bathrooms throughout the structure. The ground floor contains a dining room and a kitchen. The hut also has a heating system. Electricity is provided by a small hydroelectric turbine. Access to the hut is typically from the village of Vinadio, following the asphalt road up the Riofreddo valley; after passing the Enel dam, one continues to Grange Draculet. The road then becomes unpaved and is closed to motor vehicles (though passable with suitable vehicles). From there, it is about an hour's walk to the hut. The hut is a point of reference for hikers and mountain enthusiasts, offering warm hospitality and a solid connection with the surrounding nature. It is a destination for excursions, trekking, alpinism and ski mountaineering, welcoming those seeking peace in the mountains in all seasons. It lies on traverses including the Via Alpina (to Rifugio Emilio Questa, 3h 55', EE) and the Grande Traversata delle Alpi. Several alpine lakes are reachable from the hut, such as Lago Martel, Lago Nero, the Aver lakes, Lago Malinvern and the Paur lakes, as well as peaks like Testa Malinvern, Cima Rossa, Rocca La Paur and Cima della Lombarda. Near the hut, rock climbing is possible on fifteen equipped routes and another equipped wall nearby. The kitchen offers typical dishes, and the welcoming atmosphere makes every stay special. Services include daily room cleaning, charging for electronic devices, family rooms, heating and an internal stove, e-bike charging, shared bathrooms with hot water, bed linen (paid service, on reservation), disposable sheet bags (paid service), laundry service (€8) and pets allowed (€10). Languages spoken are Italian, French, English and German. The Rifugio Malinvern also operates the Revelin Bistrot, a gastronomic oasis in Vinadio at the foot of Forte Albertino.

• 2002

  Current hut inaugurated on 15 September by the CAI Ceva section.

• 1990

  Reconstruction of the hut begins in the 1990s.

• 1943

  Hut looted and set on fire by vandals after the events of 8 September; destroyed.

• 1940

  First Rifugio Malinvern built between June and October.

Historic alpine hospitality in the Maritime Alps, managed by CAI Ceva, offering year-round mountain experiences and traditional cuisine.

• Mountain hut accommodation (38 beds)

• Traditional alpine cuisine

• Trekking and hiking services

• Ski mountaineering base

• Rock climbing access (15 equipped routes)

• Revelin Bistrot

1. 1Rifugio Malinvern | Vinadio | Cuneo, Piemonterifugiomalinvern.it
2. 2Il Rifugio | Rifugio Malinvernrifugiomalinvern.it
3. 3Rifugio Malinvernwikidata.org
4. 4Rifugio Malinvernit.wikipedia.org