Frassati Refuge
Hiking

Frassati Refuge

Merdeux alpine pastures, just below the road
Beautiful blooms
L'alpe Tsa de Merdeux
Frassati Refuge
The pond just below the refuge
Modern shelter structure
The route to the Col de Malatrà
L'Arp du Jeu, at the start
Along the rural road
Towards the Comba of Merdeux
Looking back, the Col Serena
The Thoules Torrent

Details

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Arp du Jeux

Departure location

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses

Municipality

average

Effort

E

Difficulty

4.0

Rating

564 m

Ascent vertical drop

4h 0m

Total time

Description

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The refuge, dedicated to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, is located in the Comba di Merdeux, at the foot of the "mythical" Col de Malatrà, a famous passage on the route of the Alta Via n.1.It is a large structure that can accommodate up to 90 people, and is run during the summer by volunteers of Operation Mato Grosso, the proceeds of which go to missions in Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador. The structure of the refuge is very modern having been finished in 2011.The hike starting from Arp...

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Services in the surroundings

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Town Hall of Saint-Rhemy-En-Bosses

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.820 m
Point of interest presentation image: Town Hall of Saint-Rhemy-En-Bosses

Crevacol Bivouac

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.217 m
Point of interest presentation image: Crevacol Bivouac

Nearby attractions

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Medieval castle of Bosses

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.870 m
Point of interest presentation image: Medieval castle of Bosses

Parish churches of St. Leonard

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.881 m
Point of interest presentation image: Parish churches of St. Leonard

Reviews

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05/07/2026
climbandtrek
Description

Solito reticolo di tracce oltre l’alpeggio, che però non danno problemi per la salita. Ben visibile nel fondovalle del rottame dell’aereo precipitato il mese scorso.

Comment

Giornata limpida con piacevole venticello in quota. Molti escursionisti in giro. Oggi con la moglie Stefania Più info e foto su climbandtrek.it

More info

Road access: Parcheggio a Arp de Jeux.

05/05/2026
albert61
Description

passeggiata in mezzo ad una debole nevicata e robusti nebbioni. Pochi centimetri di neve fresca fino all’alpeggio poi una ventina con il fondo che ogni tanto cedeva e mi trovavo ad affondare fino alle ginocchia nella neve bagnata. Ovviamente nessun altro in giro

More info

Road access: ok

Details

Arp du Jeux

Departure location

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses

Municipality

average

Effort

E

Difficulty

2h 20m

Ascent time

1h 40m

Descent time

4h 0m

Total time

1.997 m

Starting elevation

2.452 m

Arrival elevation

564 m

Ascent vertical drop

13.600 m

Total length

senza numero, AV1

Ascent signposts

AV1, senza numero

Descent signposts

Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep

Best period

high

Crowding

4.0

Rating

Overview

The refuge, dedicated to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, is located in the Comba di Merdeux, at the foot of the "mythical" Col de Malatrà, a famous passage on the route of the Alta Via n.1.It is a large structure that can accommodate up to 90 people, and is run during the summer by volunteers of Operation Mato Grosso, the proceeds of which go to missions in Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador. The structure of the refuge is very modern having been finished in 2011.The hike starting from Arp du Jeu, an alternative to the classic Crevacol trail, presents a pleasant and not strenuous hike although with a mileage development that should not be underestimated; for the most part we walk on a farm road surrounded by wide pastures and breathtaking views, with a final stretch of comfortable path.

Reaching the start

From the Aosta East tollbooth, take the tunnel leading into the Great St. Bernard Valley and continue along it, passing the villages of Gignod, Etroubles and Saint-Oyen. Leave the road going up to the Great St. Bernard Pass on the right and continue on the E27 state road until the entrance to the village of Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses. Enter the village center by turning right onto the signs for the hamlets alte and Arp du Jeux. Follow the asphalt road that passes under the viaduct of the Great St. Bernard tunnel and follow it making a few bends along the wooded, grassy ridge. You park at the end of the asphalt, in the large dirt clearing just before the Arp du Jeux.

The route

From the Arp du Jeux continue along the pleasant farm road just above the restaurant (signs for Rifugio Frassati), which, after passing a wooded ridge and a slight descent, makes its entrance into the Merdeux valley.At the end of the forest, the Merdeux damon and Novailloz alpine pastures can be glimpsed just below the road, but the route continues along the main track, which circumvents a ridge and reaches the impluvium of the Thoules stream; following the mountain's course halfway up, you arrive at the confluence with the Alta Via trail No. 1 coming from Crevacol at 2138 m.At this point, continue on the agricultural road that ends at the Tsa de Merdeux alpine pasture 2269 m.To the left of the alpine pasture, the path begins that enters the upper part of the Comba di Merdeux, which allows you to overcome gentle grassy slopes that in the summer period are full of flowers. You face some bumps alternating between steeper and gentler areas, until you bring yourself via a series of hairpin bends below the slope that supports the basin that houses the hut, which is not yet visible.At 2500 m, where the slope drops, you reach the grassy shelf with the large hut now not far away to the right. You leave the Alta Via trail heading to Col de Malatrà and at will either pass near the small lake below the refuge, or by the path just above, you reach the large panoramic terrace of the Frassati Refuge.Shouldering behind the refuge, the southern slope of the Aiguille de Bellecombe makes the environment almost dolomitic.After a well-deserved restorative stop at the refuge, and after admiring the grandiose panorama it offers, you will proceed with the return to the Arp du Jeux following the same route as the ascent.

Services in the surroundings

General services

Town Hall of Saint-Rhemy-En-Bosses

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.820 m
Point of interest presentation image: Town Hall of Saint-Rhemy-En-Bosses

Sport

Crevacol Bivouac

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.217 m
Point of interest presentation image: Crevacol Bivouac

Tourist services

Gran San Bernardo Ski School

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.204 m
Point of interest presentation image: Gran San Bernardo Ski School

Indoor climbing

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.996 m
Point of interest presentation image: Indoor climbing

Rental "Gal Sport"

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.165 m
Point of interest presentation image: Rental

Saint-Rhémy chairlift

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.165 m
Point of interest presentation image: Saint-Rhémy chairlift

Where to eat

Arp du Jeu (C/O Foyer de fond Flassin)

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 100 m
Point of interest presentation image: Arp du Jeu (C/O Foyer de fond Flassin)

Des Alpes

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.374 m
Point of interest presentation image: Des Alpes

Grand Golliat

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 133 m
Point of interest presentation image: Grand Golliat

Osteria Privativa Bigay

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.881 m
Point of interest presentation image: Osteria Privativa Bigay

Where to sleep

Des Alpes

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.374 m
Point of interest presentation image: Des Alpes

Grand Golliat

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 129 m
Point of interest presentation image: Grand Golliat

La Guida e l’Architetto  

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 924 m
Point of interest presentation image: La Guida e l’Architetto  

La Thuillettaz

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.114 m
Point of interest presentation image: La Thuillettaz

La Vieille Cloche

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.842 m
Point of interest presentation image: La Vieille Cloche

Nuit à Pleiney

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.405 m
Point of interest presentation image: Nuit à Pleiney

Nearby attractions

Castles and Towers

Medieval castle of Bosses

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.870 m
Point of interest presentation image: Medieval castle of Bosses

Churches and Sanctuaries

Parish churches of St. Leonard

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 1.881 m
Point of interest presentation image: Parish churches of St. Leonard

Weather service by the RAVA Functional Centre

Open the site of the Functional Centre of the Aosta Valley Region

Avalanche bulletin by Aineva

Open the Aineva website

Reviews

05/07/2026
climbandtrek
Description

Solito reticolo di tracce oltre l’alpeggio, che però non danno problemi per la salita. Ben visibile nel fondovalle del rottame dell’aereo precipitato il mese scorso.

Comment

Giornata limpida con piacevole venticello in quota. Molti escursionisti in giro. Oggi con la moglie Stefania Più info e foto su climbandtrek.it

More info

Road access: Parcheggio a Arp de Jeux.

05/05/2026
albert61
Description

passeggiata in mezzo ad una debole nevicata e robusti nebbioni. Pochi centimetri di neve fresca fino all’alpeggio poi una ventina con il fondo che ogni tanto cedeva e mi trovavo ad affondare fino alle ginocchia nella neve bagnata. Ovviamente nessun altro in giro

More info

Road access: ok

05/06/2025
albert61
Description

Passeggiata tardo mattutina con cielo coperto ed un pò di pioggia. Alcuni nevai da attraversare dopo la Tsa de Merdeux. Oltre il rifugio per ora ancora tutto coperto di neve

More info

Road access: ok

31/08/2024
insosta
Description

Strada sterrata lunga e un pò noiosa ,ma con una bella vista sulla valle , poi sentiero dalla bergeria in su. Posto molto bello e bucolico . Rifugio molto grande e gestito da ragazzi giovani. Prezzi onesti . Bella passeggiata con mi a figlia

More info

Road access: parcheggio ampio all' arrivo della strada vicino a gli impianti

16/07/2023
sputnik
Description

Gita molto semplice

Comment

Gita sociale

More info

Road access: Aosta

16/07/2023
climbandtrek
Description

Sentiero che, dell’abbandono della poderale al bivio col vecchio sentiero per il Malatrà, è come sempre rovinato dal bestiame e dall’erosione idrica.

Comment

Gita scelta in zona dopo la consultazione del meteo-finestra, ultimamente dei più affidabili. 3 stelle solo per il meteo. Come sempre molti escursionisti in zona. Oggi con la moglie Stefania. più info e foto su climbandtrek.it

More info

Road access: Parcheggio comodo a Arp du Jeux.

Nearby routes (<2 km)

suitable for all

Arpettaz along the Ru d'Arc

218 m 1h 40m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
challenging   4.6 

Col de Malatrà from Crévacol

1.271 m 4h 0m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average

Col des Ceingles, ring for the Frassati Refuge

1.154 m 4h 0m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
suitable for all

Arp du Bois from Crévacol

300 m 1h 20m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average   3.7 

Col des Ceingles from Crévacol via the Comba de Merdeux

1.146 m 3h 15m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average   3.1 

Col de Malatrà from Crévacol

1.266 m 3h 30m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
suitable for all   3.4 

Col Serena from Crévacol

890 m 2h 30m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average   3.7 

Central Serena coast from Crévacol

1.116 m 2h 50m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average   3.6 

Costa di Serena north from Crévacol

1.122 m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
challenging   3.4 

Crête de Corleans from Crévacol

1.143 m 3h 0m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average   3.8 

Col de la Belle Combe from Crévacol

1.360 m 3h 45m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average   4.0 

Punta Valletta from the Vallone di Serena

1.150 m 3h 15m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
suitable for all   2.9 

Testa di Crévacol from Mottes

942 m 2h 30m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average   3.7 

Col di Serena from Crévacol

884 m 2h 40m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
average   4.3 

Col Citrin from Saint-Léonard

1.027 m 3h 0m Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses

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Last update

28 March 2026, 20:13