Cabane du col de Bostan

Cabane du col de Bostan sits at 2,290m on the Col de Bostan, a mountain pass linking the Ossola Valley to the Swiss border. Reach it from Domodossola in 4 hours by hiking north through forest and meadow, or approach from the Swiss side at Nufenen in 3 hours. Most hikers start from the Italian side via Baceno, following an old mule track that gains 1,100m steadily but never steeply.

The hut is small and basic, with 20 beds split across shared dorms. Meals are simple—expect pasta, polenta, and mountain food. The guardian operates it seasonally from June through September. Water comes from a spring near the building. There's no electricity or heating beyond a wood stove. The location works well as a staging point for peaks on the Monte Leone massif or for crossing into the Valais on the long-distance hiking routes that traverse this area.

Book directly through the guardian or contact CAI Domodossola. July and August fill quickly. Phone ahead before arriving, especially in shoulder months, as the hut sometimes closes unpredictably due to staffing. Strong hikers use this hut as a mid-route stop rather than a destination, so accommodation is limited and facilities are austere.