Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II
Francofranco56 / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II

5.0

Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II Nuovo

2,732m Valle d'Aosta, Italy Write a review
Moderate

About

Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II stands at 2,732 m above the hamlet of Pont in Valsavarenche, inside Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy's Aosta Valley. Owned by the Turin section of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI Torino) and run by the Blanc brothers, it is the classic base for the normal route up Gran Paradiso (4,061 m), the only 4,000-metre summit lying entirely on Italian soil. The original stone refuge dates from 1884; the distinctive barrel-vaulted main building was inaugurated in 1961 and now offers 120 beds in small rooms and dormitories, with a 40-bed winter room outside the staffed season. The hut typically operates from late May to mid-September, with additional spring openings by arrangement for ski mountaineers. The approach from the Pont car park (1,960 m) follows a beautifully engineered mule track, gaining about 770 m in 2.5 hours — a rewarding day hike in its own right, with ibex and chamois frequently seen. Summit aspirants leave before dawn for the 4-to-5-hour glacier climb to the Madonna statue on Gran Paradiso's summit ridge; crampons, ice axe and rope skills are required. Half board, packed lunches and gear advice are available.

Access Routes

From Pont (Valsavarenche)

2h Moderate

From the Pont car park at 1,960 m, the historic mule track zigzags up larch woods and open slopes, gaining about 770 m to reach the hut in around 2.5 hours. The path is wide, well graded and impossible to lose.

Traverse from Rifugio Chabod

2h Demanding

A high-level connecting path links Rifugio Chabod (2,750 m) with Vittorio Emanuele II across moraine and rocky slopes beneath the Gran Paradiso glaciers, allowing a classic two-hut circuit from Valsavarenche.

Gran Paradiso normal route (from the hut)

4h Technical

The summit day climbs moraine then the crevassed Gran Paradiso glacier to the exposed summit ridge at 4,061 m. Alpine equipment (rope, crampons, ice axe) and glacier experience are mandatory; most parties start before dawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reserve via the hut's website (rifugiovittorioemanuele.com), by email at [email protected], or by phone on +39 0165 95920. It is also bookable through the CAI online reservation portal. Summer weekends fill quickly with Gran Paradiso climbers, so book well ahead.
The staffed season runs from late May to mid-September (21 May to 13 September in 2026), with additional openings by reservation, typically for the spring ski-mountaineering season. Outside these dates a 40-bed winter room remains accessible.
From the Pont car park at the head of Valsavarenche (about 1,960 m), a well-built mule track climbs roughly 770 vertical metres to the hut in about 2.5 hours. It is a moderate, non-technical hike on an excellent path.
The hike to the hut itself suits any reasonably fit walker, but the summit climb crosses a crevassed glacier and finishes on an exposed rocky ridge. It requires crampons, ice axe, rope and glacier experience — beginners should hire a mountain guide rather than attempt it independently.
The refuge provides half board with dinner and breakfast, packed lunches for summit days, and 120 beds in rooms of four to five and dormitories. Early alpine-start breakfasts are standard practice given the 4-to-5-hour glacier route to Gran Paradiso's 4,061 m summit.

Location

45.5127, 7.2296
Directions OpenStreetMap

Plan your visit

Reservation recommended.

Visit official site Get directions

HutLists Score

5.0
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season

Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.

Quick Facts

Managing club
CAI CAI Torino
Season
May – September
Beds
120
Dormitory
40
Min hiking time
2.5h
Nearest trailhead
Pont (Valsavarenche)

Facilities

Breakfast Half board Meals served Drinking water

Contact & Booking

Email
[email protected]
Phone
+39 0165 95920
Website
https://www.rifugiovittorioemanuele.com/

Activities

Hiking Mountaineering

Featured In

Free Packing Checklist

Get the printable Alpine Hut Packing Checklist, plus route guides and booking tips.

Stayed here? Write a review

Your rating

What would you want to know before walking up? Conditions, food, the warden, the walk in.

Location data is removed from photos automatically.

Uploading…

Only so we can reach you if we have a question about your review.

Reviews are checked before they appear.

Nearby Huts

Refuge Tetras Lyre

1,996m 1.9 km away

Refuge Federico Chabod

2,710m 3.2 km away

Locale invernale Rifugio Chabod

3.2 km away

Refuge Casa di Caccia del Gran Piano

2,222m 6.4 km away
selected

Compare huts
Score
Elevation
Beds
Difficulty
Meals