Demanding
About
Bivacco Franco Cavarero sits at 2,180m on the ridge between Punta Marguareis and Punta Besimauda in the Maritime Alps. Reach it from Briga Marittima (Piedmont side) or from Limone Piemonte via the Colle di Tenda route—expect 4 to 5 hours of hiking with significant elevation gain. The approach crosses high Alpine terrain with exposed sections; scrambling experience helps. Summer access is straightforward; winter routes demand mountaineering skills and avalanche awareness.
This is a small unmanned bivouac shelter, not a staffed rifugio. It offers basic emergency shelter and sleeping platforms for roughly 8 people. Bring your own food, water, and sleeping bag—there are no facilities or meals provided. The hut operates year-round, though snow closes approaches from November through May. Water sources are unreliable; melt snow or carry reserves. The location makes it an excellent staging point for traverses of the Marguareis massif or approaches to neighboring peaks.
Book through CAI Mondovì section if you need current access information or maintenance updates. The bivouac is free to use. Check conditions before heading up—exposed ridgeline weather changes rapidly, and winter ascents require proper gear and route-finding skills.
This is a small unmanned bivouac shelter, not a staffed rifugio. It offers basic emergency shelter and sleeping platforms for roughly 8 people. Bring your own food, water, and sleeping bag—there are no facilities or meals provided. The hut operates year-round, though snow closes approaches from November through May. Water sources are unreliable; melt snow or carry reserves. The location makes it an excellent staging point for traverses of the Marguareis massif or approaches to neighboring peaks.
Book through CAI Mondovì section if you need current access information or maintenance updates. The bivouac is free to use. Check conditions before heading up—exposed ridgeline weather changes rapidly, and winter ascents require proper gear and route-finding skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bivacco Franco Cavarero is unmanned, so no booking is needed—it operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a logbook inside for registration.
The bivacco is open year-round as an unstaffed emergency shelter; summer (June–September) offers the safest access, while winter approaches require mountaineering experience and avalanche awareness.
From Briga Marittima or Limone Piemonte via Colle di Tenda, expect 4–5 hours of hiking with significant elevation gain over exposed Alpine terrain that requires scrambling ability.
As a basic unmanned bivacco at 2,180m, it provides emergency shelter only—no meals, no staffed beds, no showers; bring your own food, water, and sleeping gear.
No—the exposed terrain, scrambling sections, and 4–5 hour approach with significant elevation gain require solid Alpine hiking experience; this is for mountaineers and experienced ridge walkers only.
Location
44.1795, 7.8104
HutLists Score
1.2
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- CAI Club Alpino Italiano - sezione di Mondovì
Contact & Booking
- Website
- http://www.cai.mondovi.cn.it/cai/rifugi/bivacchi/cavarero.htm
Activities
Featured In
Free Packing Checklist
Get the printable Alpine Hut Packing Checklist, plus route guides and booking tips.