Crête Sèche

The Crête Sèche Mountain Hut is situated at an altitude of 2,410 m, in a panoramic location overlooking the Bionaz valley. Surrounded by the Costiera dell’Aroletta and the Mont Crête Sèche range, it is set against a spectacular alpine backdrop of jagged ridges, spires and rocky towers.

Built in 1982 near the historic Berio del Governo, an ancient guard post dating back to the French Revolution, the refuge is now a landmark for mountain enthusiasts: an ideal base for climbing and mountaineering in summer and a renowned destination for ski mountaineering in winter.

Thanks to the modest elevation gain and the accessible route, which takes around two hours to walk, the refuge is also suitable for hikers and families with children, who can enjoy the wide surrounding meadows and the peaceful atmosphere of the upper valley.

From the refuge, there is a breathtaking view of the main peaks of the Aosta Valley: from Luseney to Becca di Nona, all the way to Grivola and Rutor.

How to get there in summer

On foot:

• from the car park in the hamlet of Les Crêtes (1720 m), head up the farm track to reach the Berrier mountain pasture (path 4a, then 4). From there, continue towards the refuge via path 2.
  Difficulty: E excurtion route 
  Elevation gain: approx. 690 m
  Duration: approx. 2 hours
  
  
• from the car park in the hamlet of Les Rus (1685 m), take trail 3/2 to the Berrier mountain pasture. From here, take trail 2 to the refuge.
  Difficulty: E excurtion route 
  Elevation gain: 700 m
  Duration: approx. 2 hours

How to get there in winter/spring

Ski mountaineering/snowshoeing: from the car park just before Ruz, climb past the houses, following the initial farm track towards Alpe Berrier and the refuge. Depending on snow conditions, it may be necessary to leave the track and climb up the steep slope above it.
Elevation gain: approx. 700 m
Exposure: south-east