Gîte d'Étape Les Astragales

Les Astragales sits at 1390m in the Val Maira, a long valley running south from the Maritime Alps toward Cuneo. The gîte works best as a base for day hikes through beech and larch forest rather than a mountain pass stop. Reach it from Dronero (road-end village, 45 minutes by car) on a steady 4-hour walk gaining 600m, or from Acceglio via the GR5 in roughly the same time. Winter snows close most approach trails from November through April.

The gîte offers 30 beds across simple shared rooms. Half-board includes dinner and breakfast; they cook traditional Piedmont food. The hut sits 10km from the nearest road, so expect no phone signal, no hot showers (washbasins only), and a wood stove for heating. You'll need to fetch water from the stream. Winter supplies come by mule. The season runs June through September reliably; shoulder months (May, October) depend on snow conditions and staffing.

Email or call ahead to confirm availability and meal options. July and August fill quickly—book 4–6 weeks ahead for those months. June and September have more space. The gîte is privately run (not CAI-affiliated), so no rifugio.net listing. Bring a sleeping bag unless you specifically request sheets when booking. Cash payment only; there's no card reader at this altitude.