Refuge · 2061 m
Rifugio Elena
Historic hut at the head of Val Ferret, below Col Ferret. TMB stage with views of the French Alps.
Its position facing the tongue of the Pré de Bar glacier is among the most scenic in the whole Val Ferret: from the terrace your eye follows the climb to the Grand Col Ferret on one side and Mont Dolent — the mountain of three borders — on the other. It is the TMB’s last Italian overnight stop anticlockwise and the base for the easy walk up from Arnouva.
Altitude
2061 m
Valley
Val Ferret
Beds
50
Opening
Mid-June – mid-September
Managed by
CAI Courmayeur
History
A shelter at Pré de Bar existed by the early 1900s, but avalanches and wars repeatedly marked its history: the present building, modern and spacious, was rebuilt and inaugurated in the 1990s just above the historic site. The name recalls the Savoy tradition of the royal family, tied to these border mountains.
What to eat
Aosta Valley cuisine and homemade cakes.
Indicative rates
Half-board roughly €45–60.
Contact & booking
Official manager details — always check opening dates and rates on the website before you go.
Where it is
45.8847, 7.0656 · 2061 m
How to get there
Recommended season
Mid-June – mid-September
Effort to reach it
Difficulty of the access trails: E, +291–503 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 Elena