Refuge des Mottets
1.7
1,870m
Valle d'Aosta, Italy
About
Rifugio Mottets sits at 1,870m in the Val d'Ayas, a side valley branching east from the main Valle d'Aosta. Reach it from the village of Champoluc on foot in 2.5 hours via a steady forest path that climbs through larch and spruce. The hut serves as a natural base for day walks across alpine meadows and access to the Colle della Bettula (2,382m), which connects to the Gressoney valley.
The refuge accommodates 50 people across shared dorms. It operates a full kitchen and serves hearty valley food: good polenta, local cheese, and pasta with game sauces. Hot showers are available. The hut opens late May through September, with reliable service mid-June to mid-September. Expect a working mountain hut, not a hotel—staff prioritise substance over frills.
Book directly with the hut or through rifugio.net. July and August weekends fill weeks ahead; aim for Thursday–Sunday bookings 6–8 weeks out. June and September offer better availability and fewer crowds. The hut sits on the eastern flank of the Monte Rosa massif, making it popular with hikers exploring the Gressoney or Ayas valleys rather than with mountaineers; it's genuinely quiet midweek and outside peak season.
The refuge accommodates 50 people across shared dorms. It operates a full kitchen and serves hearty valley food: good polenta, local cheese, and pasta with game sauces. Hot showers are available. The hut opens late May through September, with reliable service mid-June to mid-September. Expect a working mountain hut, not a hotel—staff prioritise substance over frills.
Book directly with the hut or through rifugio.net. July and August weekends fill weeks ahead; aim for Thursday–Sunday bookings 6–8 weeks out. June and September offer better availability and fewer crowds. The hut sits on the eastern flank of the Monte Rosa massif, making it popular with hikers exploring the Gressoney or Ayas valleys rather than with mountaineers; it's genuinely quiet midweek and outside peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2-3 weeks ahead during July-August, earlier if you're targeting weekends or holidays. Contact them directly or use rifugio.net for availability.
Open June through September as a staffed refuge; check current dates before planning since Alpine hut seasons can shift with snow conditions.
Start from Champoluc village and hike 2.5 hours on a steady forest path through larch and spruce; it's straightforward with no scrambling required.
Shared dorm beds for 50 people, full kitchen, and hearty meals; bring a sleeping bag liner and ask about shower availability when you book.
Yes—the 2.5-hour approach is moderate and non-technical, making it good for families with older children; the base elevation of 1,870m is comfortable for acclimatization.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- FFCAM
- Season
- –
- Total
- Dormitory
- Emergency
- Private rooms
Facilities
Breakfast
Half board
Meals served
Drinking water
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- Website