Rifugio Mario Bezzi

Rifugio Mario Bezzi is a mountain hut (rifugio) in the Graian Alps of Italy's Aosta Valley, situated at an elevation of 2,284 metres within the municipality of Valgrisenche on the site of the former Alpe Vaudet pasture. It is named after Mario Bezzi (1868–1927), an Italian entomologist who taught at the University of Turin and served as director of the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali di Torino. The hut was built between 1925 and 1927 and inaugurated in the year of Bezzi's death. It was conceived as a base for alpinists and military personnel, and is described as the "twin" of the Rifugio Gian Federico Benevolo on the opposite side of the neighbouring Val di Rhêmes. The first managers were the Perret family, who ran the hut until 1949. In subsequent years it passed through several managements, including that of Rosa Barrel, aunt of Piergiorgio, who helped make it a welcoming and family-like place. Since 1982 the Rifugio Bezzi has been managed by Piergiorgio Barrel and his children; he purchased it in 1991 and expanded it to its current size, continuing a tradition of hospitality. The hut is privately operated and offers 82 sleeping places for mountaineers. It is typically open from mid-March to mid-May and from mid-June to mid-September, though the official website lists a 2026 summer season from 23 June to 15 September. Reservations by email are mandatory for overnight stays. The hut serves a typical Valdostan lunch menu with homemade specialities, including the celebrated Risotto alla cognentze, which must be requested at the time of booking. Access to the hut begins at Surier (or Usselière), a hamlet of Valgrisenche at 1,785 metres at the end of the Lago di Beauregard reservoir. From there a path leads up the slope south of the Dora di Valgrisenche; the ascent takes about 1 hour 50 minutes and presents no technical difficulties. From the hut, destinations such as Col de Bassac, Lago San Martino, Col Vaudet, Col Bassac and Lac du Vuert can be reached within 2–3 hours. The hut also serves as a stage on crossings to the Rifugio Gian Federico Benevolo via the Col Bassac Déré (3,082 m), to the Val di Rhêmes via the Col Bassac (3,154 m), and to the Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée (2,370 m). Summit tours from the hut include the Grande Traversière (3,496 m), Grande Sassière (3,751 m), Truc Blanc (3,405 m), Punta Bassac Nord (3,387 m), Becca della Traversière (3,337 m) and Punta Plattes des Chamois (3,610 m).

The Rifugio Mario Bezzi was built between 1925 and 1927 and inaugurated in 1927, the year of the death of Mario Bezzi, the naturalist, alpinist and prominent figure of the Turin section of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) to whom it is dedicated. It was conceived as a support point for alpinists and military personnel, and is the "twin" of the Rifugio Gian Federico Benevolo on the other side of the neighbouring Val di Rhêmes. The first managers were the Perret family, who remained until 1949. In the following years the hut passed through several managements, including that of Rosa Barrel, aunt of Piergiorgio, who contributed to making it a welcoming and family-like place. Since 1982 the Rifugio Bezzi has been managed by Piergiorgio Barrel and his children; he purchased it in 1991 and expanded it to its current dimensions, carrying on a tradition of hospitality built over time. The hut is privately operated and offers 82 sleeping places. It is typically open from mid-March to mid-May and from mid-June to mid-September, though the official website lists a 2026 summer season from 23 June to 15 September. Reservations by email are mandatory for overnight stays. The hut serves a typical Valdostan lunch menu with homemade specialities, including the celebrated Risotto alla cognentze, which must be requested at the time of booking.

• 1991

  Piergiorgio Barrel purchases the hut and expands it.

• 1982

  Piergiorgio Barrel and his family take over management.

• 1949

  The Perret family, the first managers, end their tenure.

• 1927

  Hut inaugurated in the year of Mario Bezzi's death.

• 1925

  Construction of the hut begins.

Historic family-run alpine hut offering traditional Valdostan hospitality and a base for mountaineering in the Graian Alps.

• Overnight accommodation (82 beds)

• Valdostan lunch menu

• Risotto alla cognentze

1. 1Rifugio Mario Bezzi official website56484-rifugiobezzi-com.sitebuilder-it.webapps.net
2. 2Rifugio Mario Bezzi - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Mario Bezzi - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org