Capanna Margherita: Excursion to the highest refuge in the Alps

Alpinism

Capanna Margherita

The highest refuge in Europe: 4,554 meters

Capanna Margherita is the highest mountain hut in Europe. It is located at Punta Gnifetti at an altitude of 4,554 meters, overlooking the Valsesia.

Activities

Alpinism

Period

from late June to early September

Difficulty

Duration

two days with overnight stay in the hut

Departure

Alagna Valsesia (1,191 meters)

Arrival

Capanna Margherita (4,554 meters)

Elevation Gain

1,279 meters

It is at the same time a refuge, a scientific laboratory, and a base for mountaineering on Monte Rosa. To reach it, one crosses a grand high mountain environment among glaciers, seracs, and a panorama that spans over forty peaks above 4,000 meters. This makes the ascent to Capanna Margherita a classic mountaineering experience in Valsesia and one of the most sought-after hikes, without any particular technical passages, but in a high-altitude glacier environment that makes it essential to be accompanied by UIAGM guides for those who are not already expert climbers.

The ascent to Capanna Margherita begins from Alagna Valsesia (1,191 meters) ascending with the lifts to Punta Indren (3,275 meters) to then reach the Rifugio Gnifetti (3,647 meters) in about two hours where one stays overnight. The next morning, in about five hours of hiking mainly on a glacier, Capanna Margherita is reached. The return follows the outbound itinerary with return by cable car.

For those who want to dedicate more time to this experience, facing the ascent with a more essential style and a progressive acclimatization to altitude, there is the possibility to reach Capanna Margherita from Alagna Valsesia entirely on foot, for an elevation gain of about 3,500 meters over four days, always returning by cable car.

Alagna Valsesia

Glacier Progression

The thrill of the glacier with crampons, rope, and ice axe.

one day

go to experience

Alagna Valsesia

Punta Dufour

The second highest peak of the Alps: 4,634 meters

two or three days

go to experience

Alagna Valsesia

Concatenation of the Four Thousand

Three days at high altitude to reach six peaks over 4,000 meters

two or three days

go to experience

Alagna Valsesia

Cresta del Soldato

A beautiful and panoramic ridge to get acquainted with high mountain

4-5h

go to experience

Alagna Valsesia

Cresta Signal

A more technical alternative to Punta Gnifetti and Capanna Margherita

go to experience

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Mountain Safety

Experiencing and living the mountain requires caution, preparation, and experience. No activity, even the easiest one, should be taken for granted or improvised.

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CAV

★★★★★

Casa Smitt

Alagna Valsesia

In the heart of Alagna, less than a 5-minute walk from the Monterosaski lifts, Casa Smitt is surrounded by a large garden and offers a beautiful view of th...