Barmasse

On the shores of Lake Cignana, at an altitude of 2,200 metres in the heart of the Valtournenche valley, the Barmasse Mountain Hut welcomes guests to an authentic and panoramic setting, nestled within the natural beauty of the Matterhorn Valley.

The artificial lake, dominated by the historic dam built in 1928, offers a picturesque landscape of pastures, woods and mountains. In the surrounding area, it is easy to spot ibex, chamois and marmots, whilst the area is also of particular geological interest due to the presence of the rare mineral coesite.

The refuge, built entirely of stone, offers 25 beds in rooms with 2, 4 and 6 beds, all with views of the lake. Guests can enjoy traditional Aosta Valley cuisine in the cosy timber-panelled dining room or relax outdoors, basking in the sunshine and taking in the alpine views.

An ideal starting point for hikes, circular treks, mountain biking and fishing, the Barmasse Mountain Hut offers an authentic experience in the heart of the mountains.

How to get there in summer

On foot:

• Starting from Loc. Crêt-du-Pont  (1,524 m) along the Alta Via 1 trail. The trail passes through the hamlet of Promoron (1,796 m), marked by a fountain (now dry), and then the hamlet of Falegnon (1,912 m), where you can see a few old, uninhabited houses. Continuing along the path, after a few metres you reach a junction where you take the mule track on the right, which leads to the refuge after a rocky ridge and an uphill traverse.
  Difficulty: E excursion route
  Elevation gain: 651 m
  Duration: approx. 2h45
  
  
• Starting from Valmartin (1,489 m). Just before entering Valtournenche, take the road on the left towards Lake Cignana, up to a small church with a car park. From the little church, follow the signs for Lake Cignana: the path climbs between the houses and then into the woods, with some steep sections. After about 10 minutes, you’ll come to the path climbing up from Moen and, a little further on, the Alta Via 1, which you should follow to the lake. Pass Promoron, ignore path 8 on the right and continue uphill, crossing a footbridge. You then walk alongside the old embankment of the former dam railway line and climb through the woods to the Falegnon mountain pasture. From here, continue following Alta Via 1 to Lake Cignana, where the refuge is located.
  Difficulty: E excursion route
  Elevation gain: 700 m
  Duration: approx. 2h