Vittorio Emanuele II

The historic and renowned Vittorio Emanuele II Mountain Hut is situated in the Gran Paradiso National Park, in Valsavarenche, on the shores of Lake Moncorvé. It serves as the main base for those tackling the standard route up Gran Paradiso, as well as being the ideal stopover for hikers wishing to admire the Ciarforon and Becca di Monciair glaciers.

The building is easily recognisable by its parabolic sheet-metal roof, inaugurated in 1961, which stands alongside the older building dating back to 1884. The refuge’s distinctive architectural design was commissioned by Senator Brezzi, who entrusted the project to engineer Dumontel, a member and councillor of the Turin branch of the CAI and a respected professional in the construction industry, on the specific condition that the internal structure be built entirely of iron produced in Cogne.

Please note that the use of a sleeping bag liner is compulsory. 

How to get there in summer

On foot: park your car in Pont, cross the Savara stream and follow the farm track to the right. After a few hundred metres, take path n. 1. Continue along a gentle slope to a mountain pasture. Turning left, the path climbs steeply, first through sparse larch woods, then across green pastures interspersed with scree, until you reach the Vittorio Emanuele II mountain hut.
Difficulty: Easy hike
Elevation gain: 780 m.
Duration: 2h30

How to get there in spring

Ski mountaineering: follow the summer trail, looking for the best snow and taking care on steep slopes. Head into the gully and ascend its base until you can turn right (steep), then take the mule track and continue to the refuge (slopes gradually becoming less steep).
Elevation gain: 780 m.                            
Duration: 2h30

Always check the avalanche report before setting out. It is compulsory to carry an avalanche rescue kit (ARTVA, shovel and probe).