Bivacco Duccio Manenti

1.0
2,806m Savoie, France
Demanding

About

Bivacco Duccio Manenti sits at 2,806m on the border between Italy and France in the Cottian Alps, below the Colle della Traversette. The hut is reached from the French side via the Guil Valley and the Château-Queyras base, a full day's approach requiring strong navigation skills and scrambling ability. From Italy, most climbers access it from Pontechianale via the Pian del Re and Colle della Traversette, roughly 5–6 hours uphill. This is serious mountain terrain, not a marked tourist trail.

This is a tiny bivvy—a reinforced shelter rather than a staffed hut—managed by the CAI sezione di Torino. It offers emergency shelter only, with no water, no meals, and no resident guardian. The structure provides basic protection from wind and weather but no heating or stoves. Capacity is severely limited; bring your own sleeping bag, pad, and all food and water. It functions year-round in theory, but snow and weather make it reliably accessible only June to September. Winter ascents demand serious winter mountaineering skills.

Book directly with CAI Torino (contact details on their website) if you need specific information about conditions. Do not rely on this shelter as your primary plan unless you're self-sufficient in alpine terrain. Check conditions before departure—the hut sits in an exposed location where weather deteriorates fast. This is for experienced climbers; inexperienced mountaineers should aim for staffed refuges like Abri Besson or Rifugio Ciabren instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bivacco Duccio Manenti is an unstaffed emergency shelter, so no booking is needed or possible—first-come, first-served basis only.
Typically June to September, weather dependent; snow and ice can block access outside this window.
From Italy (Pontechianale): 5–6 hours via Pian del Re and Colle della Traversette; from France (Château-Queyras): a full day via the Guil Valley, both routes require solid navigation and scrambling ability.
It's a basic unstaffed bivvy with minimal shelter, no water, food, or sleeping arrangements—bring your own sleeping bag, mat, and supplies.
No—this is for experienced mountaineers only; the approach involves serious scrambling, routefinding in remote terrain, and self-sufficiency at altitude.

Quick Facts

Managing club
CAI
Season
Total
Dormitory
Emergency
Private rooms

Facilities

Contact & Booking

Email
Phone
Website