Bivacco Cosimo Zappelli

Bivacco Cosimo Zappelli sits at 2,275m on the border between Savoie and Italy, serving mountaineers tackling peaks in the Mont-Blanc massif. Reach it from the Vallée de la Tarentaise. The final approach is steep and exposed—allow 4–5 hours from the nearest road access. This is a technical mountain location, not a marked hiking trail destination. You need scrambling ability and surefootedness on scree and rock.
The bivacco is a simple stone shelter with 10 beds arranged on two levels. It offers basic sleeping quarters only—no meals, no heating, no running water. Bring a stove, fuel, food and water. A metal roof, wooden floor and sleeping platforms exist, but expect cold nights and wind. The shelter is open year-round but becomes inaccessible in winter without specialized equipment. Summer (June–September) is the practical operating season for most users.
Contact the hut directly by phone to confirm availability and current conditions before setting out. Access depends heavily on snow cover and rockfall risk, so conditions change rapidly. Check with local mountain guides or the Parc National de la Vanoise office before your visit. Do not rely on online booking systems—phone contact is essential given the remote location and technical nature of the approach.