Refuge Gardetta

Rifugio Gardetta sits at 2,335m in the Cottian Alps on the border between Piedmont and France. Most hikers reach it from the Pian della Casa trailhead (1,640m) via the Val Maira valley—a 4- to 4.5-hour push with steady elevation gain. The route is straightforward and well-marked. In summer you can also approach from the French side via Col de Stanza if you're linking huts across the border.

The rifugio runs 50 beds across simple rooms. Half-board is available (dinner and breakfast included with your room). The kitchen serves solid mountain food—pasta, stews, local cheese. Water comes from a spring nearby. Mobile signal is unreliable here, so expect to be offline. The hut operates from mid-June through September, closing in winter and shoulder seasons.

Book direct by phone well ahead for July and August. July weekends fill 6–8 weeks out. The hut is managed by CAI, so you can also contact your local CAI section if you're a member—sometimes they have reserved beds. Weekdays in June and September are quieter and easier to book on shorter notice. Come prepared for weather: afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and temperatures drop fast at this elevation.