Technical
About
Bivacco Walter Blais sits at 2,925m on the border between Piedmont and France, in the high mountains west of Turin. Reach it from the Val di Susa valley: start at Forte San Carlo near Susa and climb 4–5 hours via the Punta Nera ridge. The route is exposed scrambling in places and demands competent winter mountain skills when snow is present. Few marked trails exist; a map and compass (or GPS) are essential.
This is a basic bivouac—8 beds in a simple mountain shelter, no guardian, no food service. You bring everything: stove, fuel, water, all provisions. The hut has a roof, walls, and sleeping platforms. Winter access is serious; summer and early autumn are the realistic seasons. Expect minimal comfort and complete self-sufficiency.
Book through CAI Susa (cai.it) or contact the section directly. There is no warden on-site, so arrive with a full tank of fuel and all supplies you need. The hut is exposed to weather and suited only to experienced mountaineers used to alpine camping conditions. Check snow conditions and route stability before committing.
This is a basic bivouac—8 beds in a simple mountain shelter, no guardian, no food service. You bring everything: stove, fuel, water, all provisions. The hut has a roof, walls, and sleeping platforms. Winter access is serious; summer and early autumn are the realistic seasons. Expect minimal comfort and complete self-sufficiency.
Book through CAI Susa (cai.it) or contact the section directly. There is no warden on-site, so arrive with a full tank of fuel and all supplies you need. The hut is exposed to weather and suited only to experienced mountaineers used to alpine camping conditions. Check snow conditions and route stability before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is an unstaffed bivouac, so there's no formal booking system—just show up and use it on a first-come basis, but check conditions first since it's exposed and may be inaccessible in winter.
It's open year-round as an unmanned shelter; summer (June–September) is most reliable, but winter and shoulder seasons require full winter mountain experience and self-sufficiency.
Start at Forte San Carlo near Susa in Val di Susa and climb the Punta Nera ridge in 4–5 hours; the route involves exposed scrambling and needs a map, compass, or GPS since trails aren't well marked.
It has 8 beds in a basic shelter, but no guardian, no meals, no water, and no services—bring everything you need including food, water, and a stove.
No—this is for experienced mountaineers only; the approach requires scrambling skills, route-finding ability, and in winter, full alpine skills; it's not suitable for families or inexperienced hikers.
Location
45.1352, 6.8809
HutLists Score
1.0
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- CAI CAI Susa
- Total
- 8
Contact & Booking
- Website
- https://www.caisusa.it/joomla/rifugi-e-bivacchi/16-bivacco-walter-blais
Activities
Featured In
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