If you happen to be hiking in the Livigno area in the Italian Alps, and without any accommodation, no worry, there are several free shelters where you can have a rest and sleep.
What this is about
In my previous text, I already discussed various options for free accommodation if you are hiking and mountaineering in the Italian Alps. The point is that there are hundreds of shelters without guardians that are always open, and these are places where you can spend a night for free.
So, I mentioned Livigno as a great example. This is because in this area, these free shelters are surprisingly close to the main roads. How close? Well, I have visited five shelters, and four of them are within one hour or so walking from the road.
I know the Livigno mountains well, have been there three times in the past and climbed most of the 3000ers in the area. You can see my texts about Pizzo Filone, Monte Breva, Monte Vago, and several more.
In fact, I just came from there, and I have personally visited all those free shelters that you will see below. So the pictures here in the text are my own.
The interactive map below is zoomable so you can see the details. This will show you where to start from the main road. Note that all of them are in the area around the road from Livigno to the Forcola pass. Those red markers show the positions of the shelters.
Baitel da Plascianet
This refuge is at 2265 m (7431 ft) of elevation. You can get there from the parking 14 on the road to Forcola, and from several other direction. The picture shows the shelter and Livigno in the valley behind.
There is a wood stove inside, and plenty of ready wood outside. Some basic cooking stuff is also available. For sleeping, there is a platform with several mattresses. So make sure that you have your own sleeping bag.
Baitel del Canton
This shelter is very close to the Baitel da Plascianet, so if one of them is full just keep walking along the path and try in another. You can start walking from the same place on the main road. The elevation here is 2259 m (7411 ft).
There is a wood stove inside, but I have not seen any wood available. As you realize from the picture, this is just at the forest line so you can probably find some wood around.
Running water is available outside. For sleeping, there are places for 3-4 people on simple wood benches.
Baitel da l’Ables (Baitel da la Bles)
This shelter can be approached from three sides. I walked directly from the Forcola road, and started close to the Aquafresca camping. The shelter is at an elevation of 2316 m (7598 ft).
Note that this is on the left (south-east) side of the road from Livigno to Forcola.
Inside, you have a wood stove, and there is a platform for sleeping, but there are no mattresses and blankets. Running water is available outside.
Baitel dal Moton da l’Al
This beautiful shelter is directly on a bicycle riders route from Livigno to Val delle Mine. So it is basically on the same route as the Baitel da l’Ables shown above.
But you can approach it also from the parking 6 at Tresgenda. This is the same parking which you would use if you plan to climb Pizzo Filone. The parking is at around 1900 meters (6233 ft) of elevation and the shelter at 2312 meters (7585 ft).
Inside you have a place for fire cooking. Note that there are no platforms for sleeping. So you can use the wood floor. Running water was available outside.
Monte Breva shelter (Baitel del Lach dal Mont)
This shelter is described also in my text about Monte Breva, so please have a look there as well. Compared to the other shelters here, it is at the highest elevation of around 2600 meters (8530 ft).
As you realize from the picture, it is located on a beautiful lake. In one occasion I spent there several hours because of rain. There is all you need for cooking on fire and gas. Several large wood platforms are available for sleeping.
Final thoughts
So these are free hiking shelters in the Livigno area that are known to me and which I have visited. There may be more, so perhaps this list will be updated later. This is why you might want to bookmark this post and keep as a reference.
Note that almost all these shelters are on the routes of bicycle riders, and also people from Livigno use to come here for picnics. So during the day, they may be crowded. But I am pretty sure that late in the afternoon and in the evening you will be alone.
From what I remember, only the Monte Breva shelter has an “offerte” box where you can put some money.
If you need a more comfortable accommodation, you should know that Livigno is a popular area, so make sure to book your accommodation well in advance.
Thank you for reading. Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Have a nice day.
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