Demanding
About
Bivacco Emilio Greppi sits at 1,915m in the Valle Vigezzo, deep in the Piedmont Alps above the val d'Ossola. Access is from Malesco, a village on the main road through the valley. The approach takes 2.5 to 3 hours on foot through forest and alpine meadow. This is a small, remote hut—plan on solitude and self-reliance.
The bivouac has 6 beds across simple dormitory spaces. Water comes from a nearby spring; toilets are basic. There's a small stove for heating. Meals are not provided—bring all food and fuel with you. The hut is staffed only during summer weekends and holidays; most of the year it operates on a trust system (leave payment in the honesty box). Open June to September, though the hut remains accessible as an emergency shelter year-round.
Book directly through the CAI Sezione Valle Vigezzo. Contact details are available on cai.it or rifugi.net. Summer weekends fill quickly; July and August require advance notice. For winter or shoulder-season use, confirm access conditions with the section. This is a walker's and climber's shelter, not a service hut—arrive prepared for basic facilities and bring a headtorch, warm layers, and a sleeping bag even in summer.
The bivouac has 6 beds across simple dormitory spaces. Water comes from a nearby spring; toilets are basic. There's a small stove for heating. Meals are not provided—bring all food and fuel with you. The hut is staffed only during summer weekends and holidays; most of the year it operates on a trust system (leave payment in the honesty box). Open June to September, though the hut remains accessible as an emergency shelter year-round.
Book directly through the CAI Sezione Valle Vigezzo. Contact details are available on cai.it or rifugi.net. Summer weekends fill quickly; July and August require advance notice. For winter or shoulder-season use, confirm access conditions with the section. This is a walker's and climber's shelter, not a service hut—arrive prepared for basic facilities and bring a headtorch, warm layers, and a sleeping bag even in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book at least 2-3 weeks ahead during summer; contact via rifugio.net or check with the local CAI section in Piedmont, as this small bivacco (6 beds) fills quickly and may have limited staffing for direct reservations.
Open June to September; it's a basic bivacco with no resident custodian, so you're relying on self-service access and honesty-box payment during shoulder seasons.
Start from Malesco village in Valle Vigezzo; the approach is 2.5 to 3 hours on foot through forest and alpine meadow—straightforward terrain but remote, so start early and bring a map.
No meals provided—bring all food and cooking gear for your stove. Water from a nearby spring, basic toilets; expect minimal comfort suitable for mountaineers, not tourists.
No—this is for experienced hikers and mountaineers only; the remote location, self-service setup, basic facilities, and lack of catering make it unsuitable for families or inexperienced walkers.
Location
46.1816, 8.4930
Plan your visit
Get directionsNeed a hotel nearby?
Staying in Piedmont before or after your hike? Compare hotels on Booking.com.
Search hotels in PiedmontBooked through Booking.com — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. More
Don't forget to book
This hut takes bookings direct, so beds go to whoever asks first. Tell us your dates and we'll email you when it's time to reserve — with the hut's contact details.
HutLists Score
1.7
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 Valle Vigezzo
- Total
- 6
- Emergency
- 6
Facilities
Self catering
Drinking water
Activities
Featured In
Free Packing Checklist
Get the printable Alpine Hut Packing Checklist, plus route guides and booking tips.