Refuge Zucco della Croce

Rifugio Zucco della Croce sits at 1,175m on the border between Ticino and Valais, overlooking the Val Bavona. The hut is reached in 2.5 hours from Robiei (accessible by cable car and bus from Locarno), or in 4 hours from Gropprino. Both routes are well-marked but steep in sections. You can also approach from the Nara valley, though this is longer at around 5 hours. The location works as a base for day hikes into the surrounding peaks or as a one-night stop on longer valley traverses.
The refuge is family-run and offers straightforward mountain hospitality. Capacity is around 40 beds in simple dormitory rooms. The kitchen serves home-cooked meals—pasta features regularly—plus basic packed lunch options for walkers. The hut has pit toilets and a small water supply; showers are available but use is limited due to water constraints. It operates year-round but is quietest in winter when access can be difficult. The main season is June through September.
Call ahead to book, especially for weekends and school holidays in July and August. Groups of eight or more should contact the hut at least two weeks in advance. Payment is typically cash only; confirm current terms when booking. The hut is quiet enough that arriving without a reservation may work in shoulder seasons, but don't rely on this from mid-July onwards.