Rifugio Dante Livio Bianco, Mountain shelter in Valdieri, Italy
The Rifugio Dante Livio Bianco is a mountain shelter in Valdieri built from stone, located at approximately 1910 meters near Lake Sottano della Sella. The refuge accommodates around 55 guests across two main floors plus an attic space.
Local mountaineers and resistance fighters built this refuge in 1963 to honor Dante Livio Bianco, a lawyer who died climbing in 1953. The construction reflected the strong connection between the community and the mountains during that period.
The refuge serves as a gathering place for mountain travelers and locals who share stories of the surrounding peaks. Visitors can sense how the building connects people to the alpine landscape and to each other during their journeys through these heights.
Access is easiest from mid-June through mid-September, though reservations can arrange stays during other periods for hikers and skiers. The refuge provides water, heating, and bathrooms, so bring your own food, extra supplies, and proper mountain gear for your stay.
The refuge preserves a rowing oar said to have belonged to Queen Margherita during her excursions on mountain lakes in these areas. This unexpected royal connection adds a surprising layer to the shelter's everyday role as a rest stop for climbers and hikers.
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