Rifugio Pagarì

Rifugio Pagarì sits at 2,627m in the Alpes-Maritimes, on the watershed between the Vallée de la Roya and the Vallée de la Tinée. The hut anchors itself in high limestone terrain where Italian and French Alps meet. Approach from the south via Tende or Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende in the Vallée de la Roya. Most hikers reach it in 3–4 hours from the Refuge de Minière or via the GR52 long-distance route. The elevation and exposed ridgeline setting mean snow blocks access from November through May; verify conditions before heading out in shoulder seasons.
The rifugio operates as a simple mountain shelter with 24 beds across shared dormitories. Meals are available—book ahead if you want dinner. Water comes from the spring; the hut has basic cooking facilities if you prefer self-catering. There are no hot showers, so manage expectations accordingly. The season runs from June to September reliably, though late May and early October are sometimes possible if snow has cleared. The CAI Ligure section (Genova) maintains the hut and takes direct bookings.
Email or phone ahead to reserve beds, especially on weekends July–August. The hut fills quickly during school holidays in France and Italy. Confirm access conditions by phone before your visit—early season routes can involve snow travel. Payment is typically cash or bank transfer; check current policy when you contact them. Allow extra time if you're planning a multi-day traverse, as this hut serves as a natural waypoint on ridge-hopping routes across the Maritimes.