Bivacco Don Luigi Ravelli
1.0
2,503m
Valais, Switzerland
About
Bivacco Don Luigi Ravelli sits at 2503m on the eastern ridge of Monte Rosa, in the Italian Alps near the Swiss border. Reach it from Alagna Valsesia (1191m) via the Punta Indren cable car (2272m) and then a steep scramble northeast across broken terrain for roughly 2 hours. The final approach involves exposed rock and scree; this is not a hiking trail but a scrambler's route requiring careful footwork and good weather. Most parties combine this with ascents of higher peaks on the Monte Rosa massif.
The bivacco is a basic stone shelter maintained by CAI Sezione di Varallo Sesia. It provides 12 beds in a single room with no amenities beyond solid walls and a roof. There is no water supply, electricity, or stove. Bring your own sleeping bag, food, and fuel. The shelter operates year-round but is most reliably accessible July through September when the approach is snow-free. Winter and spring routes demand alpine skills and avalanche awareness.
Book ahead by contacting CAI Varallo Sesia directly (contact details via the Italian Alpine Club national website). July and August fill quickly; aim to confirm your spot 2-4 weeks in advance. The shelter is free or charges a small voluntary contribution. Expect cold nights even in summer and bring extra insulation. This is a mountaineer's shelter, not a tourist refuge.
The bivacco is a basic stone shelter maintained by CAI Sezione di Varallo Sesia. It provides 12 beds in a single room with no amenities beyond solid walls and a roof. There is no water supply, electricity, or stove. Bring your own sleeping bag, food, and fuel. The shelter operates year-round but is most reliably accessible July through September when the approach is snow-free. Winter and spring routes demand alpine skills and avalanche awareness.
Book ahead by contacting CAI Varallo Sesia directly (contact details via the Italian Alpine Club national website). July and August fill quickly; aim to confirm your spot 2-4 weeks in advance. The shelter is free or charges a small voluntary contribution. Expect cold nights even in summer and bring extra insulation. This is a mountaineer's shelter, not a tourist refuge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book at least 2–3 months ahead during summer; this small bivacco (12 beds) fills quickly on weekends and fills via direct contact with the guardian or through the hut's local management.
The bivacco is staffed seasonally from June to September, with July and August being the most reliable months; check conditions before visiting in shoulder seasons.
Take the Punta Indren cable car from Alagna Valsesia (1191m) to 2272m, then scramble northeast across broken rock and scree for roughly 2 hours to reach 2503m; this is exposed terrain requiring scrambling skills, not a hiking trail.
As a small bivacco, expect basic mountain shelter with 12 beds, limited water, and minimal cooking facilities; bring your own food or arrange meals in advance with the guardian.
No—the final approach is steep scrambling over exposed rock and scree requiring sure footwork, solid mountain sense, and comfort with exposure; this is for experienced scramblers and mountaineers only.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- CAI
- Season
- –
- Total
- 12
- Dormitory
- Emergency
- Private rooms
Facilities
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- Website
- http://www.caivarallo.it/