Sottile Refuge

Sottile Refuge is the highest in Europe, located on Col Valdobbia, the pass between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont.
The first 400 meters of altitude are quite steep, but once you enter the valley, the route becomes more varied.
The refuge is staffed and offers an excellent opportunity for lunch.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin. At the second roundabout, turn left following the signs for Gressoney.
The road climbs for a few hundred meters before turning right into the Lys Valley, passing through the villages of Lillianes, Fontainemore, Issime, and Gaby.
Continue until you reach Valdobbia, where you turn left toward Castel Savoia.
Just after the stream, on the right, there is a series of parking lots where you can leave your car.

From the car park, cross the Lys stream and the regional road to take the trail that ascends between the houses (on the left, some paintings decorate a house façade).
Reach another small road, and then the steep ascent begins.
The mule track is wide, but especially in the final section, it becomes very steep.
This leads to a small col from which, along a flat section, you enter the valley; the silhouette of the rifugio is visible in the center of the col.
Pass near Alpe Òndre Cialfrezzo, then cross the stream and ascend the opposite slope, reaching the plateau where Alpe Òbre Cialfrezzo is located.
From this point, a series of switchbacks leads to the col; just before reaching it, on the right, are the ruins of the old hospice.
The return is made along the same route.