Torino Hut
| Torino Hut | |
|---|---|
 Original Torino Hut (1898) in 2013 | |
  Torino Hut Torino Hut (Italy) | |
| Coordinates | 45°50′42″N 6°56′2.4″E / 45.84500°N 6.934000°ECoordinates: 45°50′42″N 6°56′2.4″E / 45.84500°N 6.934000°E |
| Country | Italy |
| State/territory | Aosta |
| Mountain range | Graian Alps |
| Location | Pointe Helbronner |
| Nearest settlement | La Palud, Courmayeur |
| Elevation | 3,375 m (11,073 ft) |
| Construction | |
| Built in | 1898 |
| Built by | Club Alpino Italiano |
| Administration | |
| Website |
www |
| Facilities | |
| Beds/Bunks | 38 and 160 |
The Torino Hut (Italian: Rifugio Torino; French: Refuge Torino) is a high mountain refuge in the Alps in northwestern Italy. Located near the border with France, it is about 15 km (10 mi) southwest of Mont Dolent, the tripoint with Switzerland. The refuge is in the Mont Blanc massif above the town of Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley, Italy.[1] It can be most easily accessed from the Italian side by the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car from La Palud in Courmayeur, with a change at the Pavilion du Mont Fréty.[1] It can also be reached from Chamonix via the Aiguille du Midi, either by cable car which crosses the massif, or by a long crossing of the Glacier du Gèant. The refuge lies nearly directly above the 11.6 km (7.2 mi) Mont Blanc Tunnel, which passes deep underground, and connects Courmayer to Chamonix.
Description
The original Refuge Torino was built by the Torino section of the Club Alpino Italiano in 1898, near the cable car station. Over time, the refuge was enlarged several times, and today accommodates 38 guests. The original Refuge Torino is situated on the southeast spur of Pointe Helbronner, at the terminus of the second section of the Monte Bianco cable car at 3,329 m (10,922 ft).[1]
The new Refuge Torino, located 55 m (180 ft) higher than the original refuge at 3,375 m (11,073 ft), was completed in 1952 and accommodates 160 guests. The new refuge is accessible by an internal staircase equipped with a service lift for skis and mountaineering equipment. A panoramic trail, accessible during the summer, also leads to the new refuge.[1]
From the refuge, climbers can descent to the Toula Glacier or the Vallée Blanche, or do one of the numerous ascents on ice in the Combe Maudit and Mont Blanc du Tacul basins. Other popular mountaineering excursions in the area are the Dent du Géant (Giant's Tooth), the Rochefort ridge, the Tour Ronde, the Aiguille d'Entrèves, Grand Capucin, and the Tacul satellites.[1]
In the summer, the Refuge Torino operates a bar and restaurant with a terrace that offers panoramic views of all the surrounding peaks of the Aosta Valley, the Savoy, and the Valais. Sunbathing in the high mountains is also popular on the terraces.[1]
Nearby summits
The following nearby summits are part of the Mont Blanc massif.
- Mont Maudit – 4,465 m (14,649 ft)
- Mont Blanc du Tacul – 4,248 m (13,937 ft)
- Dent du Géant – 4,013 m (13,166 ft)
References
External links
- Official website (Italian) (English) (French)
- Torino Hut and Pointe Helbronner on French IGN mapping portal
