The snowshoe route to Rifugio Walter Bonatti is steady and open, with wide views of the Val Ferret and the Mont Blanc range almost the entire way. The trail crosses gentle slopes and open fields where you can clearly see the surrounding peaks, making it easy to appreciate the scale of the landscape even in winter. As you get closer to the refuge, the valley becomes quieter and the mountains feel more immediate, giving the final stretch a pleasant sense of arrival.

The refuge is named after Walter Bonatti, one of Italy’s most respected alpinists. Born in 1930, Bonatti became famous for his bold solo climbs, his commitment to clean, responsible mountaineering, and his role in the historic 1958 first ascent of Gasherbrum IV. Throughout his life he was known for his integrity and his pursuit of truly independent, self-reliant ascents. The rifugio was dedicated to him to honor his deep connection to the Alps and his contribution to mountaineering culture.