Demanding
About
Bivacco San Camillo sits at 2,735m in the high Piedmont Alps, serving climbers and alpinists on routes toward Monte Rosa and the surrounding 4,000m peaks. Reach it from Macugnaga in 4–5 hours via the Sesia Valley approach. The hut perches on rocky terrain where the landscape transitions from meadow to scree and ice. Summer access is straightforward hiking; winter and spring routes demand mountaineering skills and crampons.
The bivouac operates as a small, unattended shelter with 18 beds across dormitory space and one private room. There is no warden, no meals, and no running water—bring your own food, fuel, and water or melt snow. The hut has a woodstove for warmth and basic sleeping platforms. Summer season runs June through September, though snow can linger into July. Winter climbing access is possible but requires experience reading conditions and self-rescue capability.
This is a base for serious mountaineers, not a staffed rifugio. Check conditions locally via Macugnaga guides or CAI sections before heading up. Book by contacting the managing CAI section or confirm access with local mountain guides. July and August see regular traffic on Monte Rosa routes; mid-June and September offer quieter climbing with stable weather but colder nights.
The bivouac operates as a small, unattended shelter with 18 beds across dormitory space and one private room. There is no warden, no meals, and no running water—bring your own food, fuel, and water or melt snow. The hut has a woodstove for warmth and basic sleeping platforms. Summer season runs June through September, though snow can linger into July. Winter climbing access is possible but requires experience reading conditions and self-rescue capability.
This is a base for serious mountaineers, not a staffed rifugio. Check conditions locally via Macugnaga guides or CAI sections before heading up. Book by contacting the managing CAI section or confirm access with local mountain guides. July and August see regular traffic on Monte Rosa routes; mid-June and September offer quieter climbing with stable weather but colder nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
As an unattended bivouac, Bivacco San Camillo doesn't require advance booking—it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Check rifugi.net or contact CAI Macugnaga for current conditions and any seasonal closures.
The bivouac is typically accessible June through September for standard hiking; winter and spring access (April–May) is possible but requires mountaineering skills and carries avalanche risk. It's unattended year-round, so you're self-reliant for emergencies.
Approach from Macugnaga via the Sesia Valley in 4–5 hours on the standard summer route; winter/spring ascents require crampons and mountaineering experience. The hut sits at 2,735m on rocky, exposed terrain.
Bivacco San Camillo offers 18 beds in a basic, unattended shelter with no meals, running water, or showers—bring a stove, sleeping bag, and all supplies. It's a climber's shelter, not a full rifugio.
Not for beginners or families: it's an exposed, unattended bivouac at high altitude meant for experienced alpinists acclimatized to mountaineering. Summer hikers with solid Alpine experience can access it, but you need self-rescue capability and comfort with exposure.
Location
45.2710, 7.1488
HutLists Score
2.7
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Season
- Year-round
- Total
- 18
- Private rooms
- 1
Contact & Booking
- Website
- https://www.caicvl.eu/index.php/i-rifugi/valle-di-viu/bivacco-san-camillo
Activities
Featured In
Free Packing Checklist
Get the printable Alpine Hut Packing Checklist, plus route guides and booking tips.