Refuge · 2480 m
Rifugio Deffeyes
Panoramic hut in Rutor valley, base for glacier lake hikes. Tour du Rutor stage.
The basin holding the hut is a small glacial world: meltwater lakes, polished rock and the snout of the Rutor glacier within strolling distance. Besides the Tour du Rutor stage, routes leave the hut for the Testa del Rutor and the lakes circuit; the waterfalls on the climb from La Thuile are among the mightiest in the western Alps.
Altitude
2480 m
Valley
La Thuile
Beds
35
Opening
Mid-June – mid-September
Managed by
CAI Aosta
History
The CAI Aosta hut is dedicated to Albert Deffeyes (1913–1953), a Valdostan mountaineer and politician, a protagonist of the post-war autonomist rebirth, who died young. The building, enlarged several times, has for decades been the base for exploring the Rutor group and its glaciers.
What to eat
Mountain cooking; ideal post-trek meal after the glacier approach.
Indicative rates
Half-board roughly €45–55.
Contact & booking
Official manager details — always check opening dates and rates on the website before you go.
Where it is
45.6754, 6.9859 · 2480 m
How to get there
- Tour du Rutor — Stage 1: La Thuile → Rifugio Albert Deffeyes9.2 km · +1113 mE
- Tour du Rutor — Stage 2: Rifugio Albert Deffeyes → Planaval15.5 km · +1111 mEE
- Joux - Rifugio Deffeyes8.3 km · +1070 mE
- Joux - Rifugio Deffeyes (via diretta)6.1 km · +889 mE
- Rifugio Deffeyes - Pas de Planaval4.6 km · +583 mE
- Rifugio Deffeyes - Haut Pas (Passo Alto)2.9 km · +375 mE
- La Thuile - Rifugio Deffeyes8.9 km · +968 mE
Recommended season
Mid-June – mid-September
Effort to reach it
Difficulty of the access trails: E–EE, +375–1113 m (CAI scale).
What to bring
A sleeping-bag liner (required in many huts), cash (cards are often not accepted at altitude), a change of clothes and warm layers for the evening, a headlamp, a water bottle. Always book your bed and meals in advance, and let the hut know if you cancel.
What to do there
Enjoy dinner in good company and the sunset from the terrace. Many use the hut as a base for a dawn departure: ask the keeper about trail and weather conditions before setting out, and start light while the snow is still firm. The climbing routes are on the trail pages above.
Nearby peaks
Community gallery
Photos are published immediately. JPG/PNG/WebP, max 6 MB.
Source: lovevda.it · CAI
Rifugio Deffeyes