Bar Rifugio Madonna Alpini
2.6
Piedmont, Italy
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About
Bar Rifugio Madonna Alpini sits at 1,480m on the slopes above Vinadio in the Gesso valley, 30km south of Cuneo. Drive to Vinadio and follow the dirt road toward Pian della Casa; park at the trailhead and walk 2.5 hours uphill through beech forest to reach the hut. The final section switchbacks steeply but is well marked.
The rifugio is a working bar and refuge with 20 beds split across three rooms. Meals focus on Piedmont classics: tajarin pasta, brasato, local cheese. You can eat at the bar or in a small dining room. Water comes from a spring. The building has basic plumbing and heating. It operates year-round but is quietest October to May; summer weekends fill quickly. The hut works as a base for ridge walks in the Pian della Casa area and connects to trails leading toward higher peaks in the Marittime Alps.
Book directly by phone or visit in person. Contact the rifugista ahead for weekend visits between June and September, especially if you need a guaranteed bed. The hut is not listed on major booking platforms so expect to confirm availability by calling. Arrive early if you show up without a reservation on weekends.
The rifugio is a working bar and refuge with 20 beds split across three rooms. Meals focus on Piedmont classics: tajarin pasta, brasato, local cheese. You can eat at the bar or in a small dining room. Water comes from a spring. The building has basic plumbing and heating. It operates year-round but is quietest October to May; summer weekends fill quickly. The hut works as a base for ridge walks in the Pian della Casa area and connects to trails leading toward higher peaks in the Marittime Alps.
Book directly by phone or visit in person. Contact the rifugista ahead for weekend visits between June and September, especially if you need a guaranteed bed. The hut is not listed on major booking platforms so expect to confirm availability by calling. Arrive early if you show up without a reservation on weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2–3 weeks ahead for weekends, especially July–August; contact the hut directly by phone or check rifugio.net for availability since it's a working bar that takes walk-ins on quiet days.
Typically open June through September; confirm current dates before your trip since staffing depends on season and weather.
Drive to Vinadio, follow the dirt road toward Pian della Casa, park at the trailhead, then hike 2.5 hours uphill through beech forest with steep switchbacks to the hut at 1,480m.
20 beds in three rooms, meals featuring Piedmont specialties like tajarin and brasato available at the bar, but confirm if showers are available when you book.
The 2.5-hour climb with steep switchbacks is moderately challenging; it's suitable for families with hiking experience and children comfortable on longer uphill sections.
Location
44.3633, 7.4638
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2.6
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Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
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- 20
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