Scarfiotti Refuge: A High-Alpine Journey in the Susa Valley
Italy, europe
13.5 km
2,163 m
moderate
Year-round
# Rifugio Scarfiotti: A Alpine Adventure in the Italian Alps
Perched at a breathtaking 2,163m (7,096ft) in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont's Rifugio Scarfiotti is your gateway to the stunning Cottian Alps near the French border. This historic stone refuge, built way back in 1923, sits tucked into the Comba di Rochemolles—a gorgeous glacial valley at the western end of the Susa Valley—with massive limestone cliffs and cascading waterfalls creating one of the most jaw-dropping backdrops you'll find in the Italian Alps.
Getting here is half the fun. Starting from the charming town of Bardonecchia, you'll tackle a solid 13.5 km (8.38 miles) climb that demands some serious driving skills. The route kicks off on paved roads but quickly morphs into a proper high-mountain track, so you'll need to keep a close eye on your engine as you wind your way upward through increasingly dramatic scenery.
But here's the thing—the refuge isn't actually the end of the road. Push on past Rifugio Scarfiotti and you can continue to the legendary Colle del Sommeiller, sitting at a wild 2,993m and ranking among Europe's highest driveable mountain passes. You'll find the ticketing station for Col de Sommeiller access just beyond the refuge, so you can decide how far your adventure takes you.
Where is it?
Scarfiotti Refuge: A High-Alpine Journey in the Susa Valley is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.7450, 13.1208
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,163 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.7450, 13.1208
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