Demanding
About
Rifugio Santino Ferioli sits at 2,264m in the Ticino Alps on the border between Piedmont and Lombardy. The hut is reached from the Val Cannobina on the western shore of Lake Maggiore. From Cannobio, it takes 4–5 hours to walk in via the Camping Selva Valley trail, gaining 1,400m elevation. This is a serious day's work with a heavy pack, so most climbers arrive tired. The location makes it a hub for traverses across the range toward the Val d'Ossola.
The rifugio holds 24 beds in simple shared rooms. Meals are available: the warden cooks dinner and breakfast. Water comes from the mountain and is reliable. The hut operates year-round but is busiest June through September. Winter access requires mountaineering experience and avalanche awareness. Mobile signal is absent or very weak. There is no electricity generator, only solar power and gas lighting, so expect basic conditions.
Book directly by email or phone through the CAI Olgiate Olona section. Contact details are listed on rifugi.net and cai.it. July and August weekends fill 4–6 weeks ahead. For quieter visits, go in June or September. Phone ahead in winter to confirm the warden is present. The hut responds slowly to email—call instead if you need a quick answer.
The rifugio holds 24 beds in simple shared rooms. Meals are available: the warden cooks dinner and breakfast. Water comes from the mountain and is reliable. The hut operates year-round but is busiest June through September. Winter access requires mountaineering experience and avalanche awareness. Mobile signal is absent or very weak. There is no electricity generator, only solar power and gas lighting, so expect basic conditions.
Book directly by email or phone through the CAI Olgiate Olona section. Contact details are listed on rifugi.net and cai.it. July and August weekends fill 4–6 weeks ahead. For quieter visits, go in June or September. Phone ahead in winter to confirm the warden is present. The hut responds slowly to email—call instead if you need a quick answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead during summer peak season; call ahead as this is a small 24-bed hut and fills quickly, especially for weekends.
It's staffed during summer months (typically June–September); confirm exact dates by phone before planning your trip.
Start from Cannobio on Lake Maggiore's western shore and follow the Camping Selva Valley trail for 4–5 hours, gaining 1,400m elevation—a demanding approach that's best done fresh or over two days.
Expect dinner, breakfast, and drinks; beds are in simple shared rooms with basic mountain hut amenities—no private rooms or en-suite facilities.
No—the 4–5 hour approach with 1,400m gain and demanding terrain is for fit, experienced hikers; it's better suited to mountaineers planning traverses across the Ticino Alps.
Location
45.8775, 7.9589
HutLists Score
4.1
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- CAI Club Alpino Italiano - Sezione di Olgiate Olona
- Total
- 24
Facilities
Breakfast
Half board
Meals served
Drinking water
Contact & Booking
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +39 0163 91207; +39 334 5631105
- Website
- http://www.caiolgiate.it/rifugio.php
Activities
Featured In
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