Refuge Livio Bianco

Rifugio Livio Bianco sits at 1,910m in the Maritimes, a limestone range that rarely gets crowded. You reach it from Limone Piemonte in 2.5 hours on a well-marked trail that gains 800m steadily through beech and larch forest. The hut serves hikers tackling multi-day traverses across the Maritimes, and it's a logical stop between the Ligurian coast and the higher Alpine passes to the north. In summer, it's the gateway to technical scrambles and rock routes on peaks like Marguareis (2,651m).

The hut has 40 beds in shared dorms and a handful of private doubles. Meals are simple and hearty—pasta, risotto, local cheeses, and house wine. There's no shower, but you get hot water for washing. The CAI manages it professionally and the staff cook fresh food daily rather than pre-portioning. It operates year-round, though you should check conditions before winter visits. Mobile signal is weak but the hut has a landline.

Book through CAI Cuneo via cai.it or by calling ahead. July and August weekends fill 3–4 weeks in advance. June and September are quieter and the weather is often better. Winter weekends need confirmation at least a week ahead since staffing is reduced. Half-board (bed and dinner) is mandatory in summer; breakfast is extra.