Refuge de Chésery

1.5
1,981m Piedmont, Italy
Moderate

About

Refuge de Chésery sits at 1,981m in the Cottian Alps on the French-Italian border. Reach it from the village of Clavière in Piedmont via a 2-hour hike through alpine meadows. The refuge sits on the GTA (Grande Traversata delle Alpi) long-distance route, making it a natural stop for multi-day walkers crossing the range. Access is straightforward in summer and early autumn; snow closes the approach from November through May.

The refuge has 40 beds in basic dormitory rooms. Meals are hearty mountain food—pasta, soups, local cheeses—served in a simple dining room with views toward Mont Viso. The kitchen handles vegetarian requests if you mention them when booking. Water comes from the mountain spring. Showers are cold. The hut opens June to October. Staff speak Italian, French, and some English.

Book directly by email or phone. July and August weekends fill quickly; contact the refuge by mid-June for these dates. June and September offer better availability. Single-night bookings are normal. Pay in cash or bank transfer before arrival. The hut is unmanaged in winter but some mountaineers shelter there during ski touring—check current conditions before attempting off-season visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Book at least 2-3 weeks ahead during July-August peak season, especially if you're part of a group. For shoulder months (June, September), 1-2 weeks is usually sufficient. Contact by phone or check rifugio.net for availability.
Open June through September, with full staffing during this period. Snow blocks the approach from November through May, making winter access unreliable.
Hike 2 hours from Clavière village in Piedmont through alpine meadows; the route is part of the GTA long-distance trail. The approach is straightforward in summer but becomes impassable when snow arrives in late autumn.
40 beds in basic dormitory rooms with hearty mountain meals provided. Expect typical Italian Alpine hut standards: no private rooms, shared bathrooms, and good food focused on fuel rather than frills.
Yes—the 2-hour approach from Clavière is moderate and scenic, making it accessible for fit families and novice hikers. It's ideal as a first multi-day Alpine stop or GTA section hike.

Quick Facts

Managing club
FFCAM
Season
Total
Dormitory
Emergency
Private rooms

Facilities

Meals served Drinking water

Contact & Booking

Phone
+41 79 725 68 20
Website
https://www.lacvert.ch

Activities