When the city, with its noises and its lights, begins to tire you, it's time to organize a low cost weekend in a bivouac in the splendid Valle D'Aosta.
Would you like to spend a low cost weekend away from the noise and lights of the city? Why not try one of the “luxury” bivouacs in the beautiful Valle d'Aosta. An experience to experience nature at 360 °!
The word "bivouac" usually identifies a outdoor night camp. The same term can also refer to an unattended structure, for use by mountaineers seeking shelter for the night.
The bivouacs are therefore unmanaged resting places, free of charge, more or less equipped depending on the altitude and position.
Bivouacs in Valle D'Aosta: which ones to try
The ones I'm going to propose are 4 well-equipped bivouacs, easily reachable through routes of difficulty E (difference in altitude from 500 to 1000m, well-marked routes, specific equipment for the mountains and a resistance to walking for a few hours).
Remember to bring a sleeping bag with you (necessary for overnight stays in the mountains), enough water and a possible gas stove (if missing). Also remember that it is good practice, when using these facilities, to leave everything clean and tidy, and to return your waste downstream.
The bivouacs are open all year round: however, it is always advisable to contact the owners (associations or families) to make sure of the effective opening and functioning, or for any other necessary information. Offers to the latter for the maintenance and procurement of the structures are always welcome.
1. Reboulaz bivouac (2575m)
Dedicated by the family to the mountaineer Luca Reboulaz, this bivouac was born in 1993 in a basin at the foot of the Becca del Luseney, near the lake of the same name.
Leave the car at the picnic area of ​​Porliod (1879m), a small hamlet after Saint-Barthelemy, reachable via SR36. From here, expect about 3h30 walking and an altitude difference of 700m: as soon as you see Lake Luseney you are almost there!
The structure, with external stone masonry and wooden grafts, houses 24 beds. The interior is welcoming and has 2 distinct rooms: kitchen-living room and dormitory.
The kitchen, partly in wood and partly in stone, is equipped with everything you need: pots and cutlery, 2 gas burners, tables and benches, a small stove and wood to keep warm. The dormitory consists of wooden beds arranged on 2 levels, equipped with blankets and pillows.
2. Borroz bivouac (2156m)
Built in 2006 from Rotary Club, together with the municipality of Fenis and the Borroz family in memory of Egidio Borroz (mountaineer and municipal councilor), this bivouac is located at the bottom of the Clavalité valley, in the Cuneux alp.
To reach it, from Fenis follow the signs for Val Clavalité and park your car just before the Pian Clavalité basin (1500m). Go up along the stream and, after about 2 and a half hours of walking and 700m of altitude difference, you will see the stone structure of the bivouac in the middle of the valley.
Warm wooden interiors will welcome you in this splendid structure. Equipped with every comfort (gas stove, wood stove, water, toilet and even electricity), this bivouac looks a lot like a chalet! The structure includes a spacious dining-living room and a small kitchen with pantry while on the upper floor-attic, reachable by a wooden staircase, you will find the metal structures of the bunk beds, for a total of 24 seats (blankets and pillows included ).
3. Chentre-Bionaz bivouac (2530m)
This extravagant bivouac located in one of the most solitary corners of the valpelline was born in 2010 from an idea of ​​the Dutch sculptor and ceramist Arjen Bakermans, in collaboration with the Dutch Alpine Club, the Valpelline Bivacco Foundation, the municipality of Bionaz and the Valpelline guides. The building remembers Carlo Chentre and the sculptor Ettore Bionaz, both former mayors of Bionaz.
The walking route starts from the Place Moulin dam (about 1700m) and follows the route that leads to Becca di Luseney. The path, which partly crosses a wood, is quite simple except for the last uphill stretch, which is particularly steep. It will take you about 2h30 and 1000m in altitude to see the wooden figure of the bivouac only at the end.
This structure is more spartan than the previous ones, so don't get caught unprepared! You will not have water or gas available (instead there are some pans, plates, glasses and cutlery). During the summer, it is possible to find some sources of drinking water near Pra de Dieu, but it is still advisable to bring the necessary supplies from home.
Inside the environment is unique, small but welcoming, decorated with masks produced by Bakermans himself. The spaces are few, but you will still have 2 tables with benches and 16 beds arranged on 2 floors (plus some spare mattresses).
Very beautiful and evocative, especially at dawn, are the beds placed above the entrance, reachable by stairs. The two thin windows and the central rose window offer light and a priceless view of the valley.
4. Pascal bivouac (2920m)
A few more difficulties to reach this bivouac dedicated to one of the Morgex Alpine guides, Luigi Pascal, victim of an avalanche in 1999. The structure, inaugurated in 2006, is located at an altitude of 2920m, and offers a wonderful view of the Mont Blanc range and the Valdigne.
The route, albeit very long (about 4h from Morge, 1625m) does not present particular difficulties, but it still remains to face a difference in altitude of about 1300m and low temperatures uphill (it is advisable to consider suitable clothing).
The bivouac is located a few meters from Liconi head and is equipped with all the comforts in a single environment: 12 beds, gas stove, kitchen equipment, blankets and pillows, electricity powered by solar panels and an internal toilet, which works thanks to a water recovery system rain.
If you have the pleasure and the opportunity to get to your destination, the view will certainly repay you for the efforts made.
