Rifugio Pagarì

Rifugio Pagarì (officially Rifugio Federici-Marchesini al Pagarì) is a historic alpine hut located at 2,650 metres above sea level in the municipality of Entracque, in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy. It sits within the Parco naturale delle Alpi Marittime (Maritime Alps Natural Park), in the upper Gesso Valley, dominated by Cima Maledia. The hut is owned and managed by the CAI (Club Alpino Italiano), Sezione Ligure of Genova, and is a classic stop for hikers and mountaineers exploring the Maritime Alps. The original wooden structure was built in 1912 and inaugurated on 20 June 1913 under the name Rifugio Pagarì. In 1937 two masonry bedrooms were added, and the original wooden core was repurposed as a kitchen. Damaged during World War II, the hut was restored from 1949 thanks to a bequest from the family of Federico Federici, and in 1951 it was renamed Rifugio Federici al Pagarì. Further restoration in 1982, funded by a bequest from the family of Ettore Marchesini, led to the current name Rifugio Federici-Marchesini al Pagarì. Between 1996 and 1998 the original central wooden structure was replaced by masonry, and modern toilet facilities were installed. Today the hut consists of three connected bodies: a central one-storey building with attic housing the bar, kitchen and dining room, and two lateral dormitory wings providing 24 beds. It has wood heating, running water, two toilets, a hot shower, and electricity from photovoltaic panels. A winter room with 8 beds and blankets is available when the summer hut is closed, though the official website notes that only a small emergency shelter with a rescue phone (enabled for 112 only) is available, and visitors must bring a high-altitude sleeping bag. The hut offers bar and dining services and a public telephone point. Since 2007 the hut has housed a craft beer production facility, making Pagarì "the highest brewery in Europe" (il birrificio più alto d'Europa). The brewery produces artisanal beer at altitude, a distinctive attraction for visitors. In summer 2022, thanks to two ALCOTRA PITER European grants and the mediation of the Ente Parco Alpi Marittime, a landscope (an 80x magnification telescope) was installed to observe the effects of glaciation in the valley and enjoy views of the Aosta Valley and Monviso. Access to the hut is primarily from the hamlet of San Giacomo di Entracque, where cars are left. A dirt road closed to traffic leads to the former royal hunting lodge and then up the Monte Colomb valley to Gias sottano del Vei del Bouc (1 hour from San Giacomo). From there, trail M13 leads to the hut in about 3 hours 45 minutes. The hut is a base for ascents of Cima Maledia (via the Canalino della Maledìa), Cima Pagarì, Monte Clapier, and Monte Gelàs, as well as traverses such as Bivacco Moncalieri to Rifugio Soria Ellena. The official website also promotes a 3-day round walk around Monte Gelàs and offers GPS tracks for many walks in the area. The hut is operated as a sole proprietorship (Ditta individuale LILA, PIVA 02758440040, CIR 001272-ALB-00282, CIN IT004084B8OMT5MG64). Contact details include a mobile phone (+39 380 7108075) active from 1 October to 14 June, and the hut phone (+39 0171 978398) active from 15 June to 30 September. The mailing address is Aladar, Via Pramallè 113, 12020 Villar San Costanzo (CN), Italy.

The Rifugio Pagarì was built in 1912 and inaugurated on 20 June 1913 under the name Rifugio Pagarì. The original structure was made of wood. In 1937, two masonry bedrooms were added alongside the original wooden building, which was then repurposed as a kitchen; these masonry rooms still exist today. During World War II the hut was damaged. Restoration began in 1949, funded by a bequest from the family of Federico Federici. In 1951, the hut was renamed Rifugio Federici al Pagarì in recognition of this support. Further restoration work was carried out in 1982 thanks to a bequest from the family of Ettore Marchesini, and the hut took the name Rifugio Federici-Marchesini al Pagarì. Between 1996 and 1998, another major restoration replaced the original central wooden structure with a masonry one and created modern toilet facilities. In 2007, a craft beer production facility was installed, earning the hut the title of "the highest brewery in Europe" (il birrificio più alto d'Europa). In summer 2022, two ALCOTRA PITER European grants, mediated by the Ente Parco Alpi Marittime, enabled the installation of a landscope (an 80x magnification telescope) for observing glacial features and panoramic views of the Aosta Valley and Monviso. The hut continues to operate as a sole proprietorship (Ditta individuale LILA) under the ownership of the CAI Sezione Ligure of Genova.

• 2022

  Landscope (80x telescope) installed thanks to ALCOTRA PITER grants.

• 2007

  Craft beer production facility installed, making it "the highest brewery in Europe".

• 1998

  Restoration completed.

• 1996

  Major restoration begins, replacing central wooden structure with masonry and adding modern toilets.

• 1982

  Further restoration funded by Marchesini family bequest; renamed Rifugio Federici-Marchesini al Pagarì.

• 1951

  Renamed Rifugio Federici al Pagarì.

• 1949

  Restoration begins after WWII damage, funded by Federici family bequest.

• 1937

  Two masonry bedrooms added; original wooden core repurposed as kitchen.

• 1913

  Inaugurated on 20 June as Rifugio Pagarì.

• 1912

  Original wooden structure built.

A historic CAI alpine hut and the highest craft brewery in Europe, offering refuge and local beer to hikers in the Maritime Alps Natural Park.

• Craft beer

  Artisanal beer brewed on-site since 2007 at 2,650 m, marketed as Europe's highest brewery.

• Accommodation

  24 beds in two lateral dormitory wings; winter room with 8 beds when summer hut is closed.

• Bar and dining

  Bar, kitchen and dining room in central building; offers bar and refreshment service.

• Public telephone

  Public telephone point service available.

1. 1Rifugio Pagarì official websiterifugiopagari.com
2. 2Rifugio Pagarì - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Pagarì - Wikipedia (Italian)it.wikipedia.org