About
Cabane de Lavare sits at 2,750m in the Cottian Alps on the border between Italy and France, roughly 4 hours' hike from Lago Superiore d'Avic. The usual approach starts from the Val d'Aosta side via the Eaux Rousses valley. Snow lingers until June on the upper sections. The hut serves as a base for traverses toward Mont Viso (3,841m) and technical rock and mixed climbing in the surrounding peaks.
The refuge holds around 60 people in multi-bed dormitories. Half-board (dinner, breakfast, packed lunch) is standard. The kitchen serves simple mountain food—pasta, stew, soup—cooked on a wood stove. Water comes from snowmelt and mountain springs. Toilets are basic. The hut opens mid-June through September, depending on snow conditions. Winter access is uncommon and requires mountaineering experience.
Book directly with the guardian or contact the local CAI section (CAI Pinerolo) 8–10 weeks ahead for July and August. July and August weekends fill fast. A smaller summer surge happens in early September when weather stabilizes. The hut operator updates access conditions on the rifugi.net platform. Bring cash; card payment is unreliable at this elevation. Expect no mobile signal.
The refuge holds around 60 people in multi-bed dormitories. Half-board (dinner, breakfast, packed lunch) is standard. The kitchen serves simple mountain food—pasta, stew, soup—cooked on a wood stove. Water comes from snowmelt and mountain springs. Toilets are basic. The hut opens mid-June through September, depending on snow conditions. Winter access is uncommon and requires mountaineering experience.
Book directly with the guardian or contact the local CAI section (CAI Pinerolo) 8–10 weeks ahead for July and August. July and August weekends fill fast. A smaller summer surge happens in early September when weather stabilizes. The hut operator updates access conditions on the rifugi.net platform. Bring cash; card payment is unreliable at this elevation. Expect no mobile signal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2–3 weeks ahead during summer; weekends fill fast. Contact the hut directly or use rifugio.net and cai.it for availability and reservations.
Typically open June to September; snow blocks access before mid-June. Call ahead in late May and early June to confirm staffing and conditions.
Start from Lago Superiore d'Avic in the Eaux Rousses valley; the approach is roughly 4 hours with significant elevation gain to 2,750m. Trail is well-marked but exposed in sections.
60-bed dormitories, half-board (dinner and breakfast) standard, packed lunches available. Water on-site; no shower, basic washrooms only.
No—this is for experienced hikers and mountaineers. The altitude, exposed terrain, and 4-hour approach rule out families with young children or inexperienced walkers.
Location
44.0671, 6.7738
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3.2
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