Rifugio Perucca-Vuillermoz

Rifugio Perucca-Vuillermoz is a mountain hut (rifugio) in the Valtournenche side valley of the Aosta Valley in the Pennine Alps of Italy. It sits at an elevation of 2,909 metres above sea level, near the Lago del Dragone, within the municipality of Valtournenche. The hut is a seasonal alpine hospitality facility rather than a conventional commercial company: it is managed by resident hut keepers (gestori) and operates only during the summer mountaineering season, from the beginning of July to the end of August, when it offers 25 sleeping places for climbers and hikers. The hut was inaugurated in 1990 and serves as an alternative to the nearby Bivacco Duccio Manenti bivouac. It is named in memory of the mountaineers Piergiorgio Perucca and Corrado Vuillermoz, who died on 17 September 1985 on the Liskamm together with four other companions. The dedication gives the refuge its identity as a memorial as well as a base for alpinism. Access to the hut begins at the Valmartin locality (1,495 m) close to Valtournenche and follows part of the Alta via della Val d'Aosta no. 1 long-distance trail to the artificially dammed Lago di Cignana (2,158 m). The Rifugio Barmasse lies near the far end of the dam and is reached in about 1½ hours; from there the route continues along the right shore of the lake and then climbs toward the hut. The ascent presents no technical difficulties and is estimated at about four hours; an alternative approach starts from Perrères. As a mountain hut, the Rifugio Perucca-Vuillermoz functions as a node in the alpine trail and summit network. It offers transitions to the Rifugio Prarayer (2,005 m) over the Colle di Valcornera (3,066 m) and to the Bivacco Laura Florio (3,320 m) at the Col du Créton. From the hut, climbers can attempt peaks including the Château des Dames (3,488 m), the Punta di Fontanella (3,384 m) and the Punta di Balanselmo (3,318 m). Its official website is maintained and updated by the hut keepers, providing current information for visitors.

The Rifugio Perucca-Vuillermoz was inaugurated in 1990, making it a relatively recent addition to the network of mountain huts in the Aosta Valley. It was built as an alternative to the nearby Bivacco Duccio Manenti bivouac, providing a staffed, seasonal refuge where climbers could stay overnight rather than relying only on an unmanned bivouac. The hut is dedicated to the mountaineers Piergiorgio Perucca and Corrado Vuillermoz, who lost their lives on 17 September 1985 on the Liskamm together with four other companions. The naming of the refuge after these two climbers gives the site a memorial character and ties it to the climbing history of the Aosta Valley and the Pennine Alps. Since its opening, the hut has operated as a seasonal facility, managed by hut keepers and open from the beginning of July to the end of August, with 25 sleeping places. It sits at 2,909 metres above sea level near the Lago del Dragone in the Valtournenche municipality. Its official website is curated and updated by the keepers, reflecting the hut's role as a point of contact for route information and bookings. Over time the refuge has become part of the local alpine infrastructure, linked to long-distance trails such as the Alta via della Val d'Aosta no. 1 and to other huts and bivouacs. The standard approach begins at Valmartin (1,495 m) near Valtournenche and passes the artificially dammed Lago di Cignana (2,158 m) and the Rifugio Barmasse before climbing to the hut; the route is free of technical difficulties and takes about four hours. An alternative ascent starts from Perrères. From the hut, mountaineers can cross to the Rifugio Prarayer (2,005 m) via the Colle di Valcornera (3,066 m) or to the Bivacco Laura Florio (3,320 m) at the Col du Créton, and can attempt summits such as the Château des Dames (3,488 m), the Punta di Fontanella (3,384 m) and the Punta di Balanselmo (3,318 m).

• 1990

  The Rifugio Perucca-Vuillermoz is inaugurated as an alternative to the nearby Bivacco Duccio Manenti.

• 1985

  Mountaineers Piergiorgio Perucca and Corrado Vuillermoz die on the Liskamm on 17 September together with four other companions.

A seasonal, keeper-managed alpine refuge at 2,909 m in the Valtournenche valley, dedicated to two fallen climbers and serving as a base for non-technical ascents and high-route transitions.

• Seasonal overnight accommodation (25 beds)

  The hut offers 25 sleeping places for climbers during its operating season from early July to the end of August.

• Access route via Valmartin and Lago di Cignana

  The ascent starts at Valmartin (1,495 m) near Valtournenche, follows part of the Alta via della Val d'Aosta no. 1 to the Lago di Cignana (2,158 m), passes near the Rifugio Barmasse, and continues to the hut; no technical difficulties, about 4 hours.

• Transition to Rifugio Prarayer

  A transition route to the Rifugio Prarayer (2,005 m) over the Colle di Valcornera (3,066 m).

• Transition to Bivacco Laura Florio

  A transition route to the Bivacco Laura Florio (3,320 m) at the Col du Créton.

• Summit routes

  Peaks reachable from the hut include the Château des Dames (3,488 m), Punta di Fontanella (3,384 m) and Punta di Balanselmo (3,318 m).

1. 1Rifugio Perucca-Vuillermoz official websiterifugioperuccavuillermoz.it
2. 2Rifugio Perucca-Vuillermoz – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Perucca-Vuillermoz – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org