Trekking
All around the refuge there are a number of paths that allow you to design and follow different routes, discovering the valleys between Valle d’Aosta and Piemonte, next to Monte Rosa
Here are a few ideas to inspire you!
2 DAYS TOUR
2 DAYS TREK
MOLOGNE LOOP
1st D Niel-Rif. Rivetti
From Niel, in Valle d’Aosta: path 6D then 6C, climb to Colle della Mologna Piccola 2200m, cross path E69 (caution exposed path that will be renovated in early summer 2024), to alpe Lavazey, then climb on path E60 to Rifugio Rivetti 21
4h 6km 
850m 
200m
ou bien du Colle della Mologna Piccola 2200m, descente sur le sentier E65, jusqu’à l’alpe Anval et remontée au rifuge sur le sentier traditionnel E60 qui vient de Piedicavallo
6h15 8,5km 1200m 550m
2nd D Rif. Rivetti-Niel
or from Colle della Mologna Piccola at 2200m, descend on the E65 trail to Alpe Anval and climb back to the rifuge on the traditional E60 trail from Piedicavallo.
6h15 8,5km 1200m 550m
4h5 6,5km 330m 950m
RIFUGIO RIVETTI – LA VECCHIA LOOP
1st D Piedicavallo – Rif. Rivetti
direct ascent to Rifugio Rivetti 2150m, path E60
4h15 5,50km ↗1150m
2nd D Rif. Rivetti – Piedicavallo
cross to rifugio della Vecchia 1870m, path E69, then E59 (beware exposed path which will be renovated in early summer 2024)
2h45 5km ↗300m ↘600m
Variation: go to Colle della Mologna Piccola 2200m, then path 6C, and 6D, through Colle Chaparelle 2210m
5h 8km ↗700m ↘1000m
4 PASSES LOOP
1°J Piedicavallo – Rif. Rivetti
direct ascent to the refuge, path E60
4h15 5,50km ↗1150m
2nd D Rif. Rivetti – Piedicavallo
climb to Colle della Mologna Grande 2360m, cross to Colle Loozoney 2350m, path 6A. Then to Colle di Loo, path 12. Descend to Alpe Toso, path 59, climb to Bocchetta del Croso 1940m, path 253 and descend to Montesinaro, path E70 and return to Piedicavallo.
8h15 17km ↗450m ↘1600m
HIGH VALLE CERVO LOOP
1st D Piedicavallo – Rif. Rivetti
Head towards the hamlet of Montesinaro. Climb to Bocchetta del Croso 1940m, path 253, descent to Alpe Toso. Climb to Colle di Loo 2450m, path 59 and cross to Colle Loozoney. Cross to Colle della Mologna Grande 2360m, path 6A and descent to Rifugio Rivetti 2150m.
9h30 17,5km ↗1750m ↘600m
2nd D Rif. Rivetti – Piedicavallo
Crossing to Rifugio della Vecchia 1870m, path E69, then E59 (beware exposed path which will be renovated in early summer 2024). Cross to Alpe Irogna Superiore 1601m, path E59A, then E49. Descent to Piedicavallo 1025m, path E41.
5h30 11,5km ↗450m ↘1550m
GRESSONEY-HIGH VALLE CERVO LOOP
1st D Valle di Gressoney – Rif. Rivetti
Departure from the Valle di Gressoney, between Gaby and Gressoney St Jean, at Bode-Miette, car park at the end of the road leading to Lyso. Follow trail 12 up the Loo valley. We recommend a gastronomic stop at the Agriturismo di Loo Superiore! From Colle Loozoney 2350m, cross over to Colle della Mologna Grande 2360m, path 6A (follow the GTA signs) then descend to Rifugio Rivetti 2150m.
5h 10,5km ↗1080m ↘250m
2nd D Rif. Rivetti – Valle di Gressoney
Crossing to Rifugio della Vecchia 1870m, path E69, then E59 (caution exposed path which will be renovated in early summer 2024). Climb to Colle della Vecchia 2187m E50, then descend to Gaby, marker 1 to Berard, then path 7. Take the bus back to Bode Miette https://www.vitagroup.it/
6h15 12km ↗650m ↘1750m
Variation: from Rifugio Rivetti, climb to Colle della Mologna Piccola 2200m, E69 and E65, then descend directly to Gaby, path 6C, then 6D.
4h 9km ↗250m ↘1350m
3 DAYS TOUR
3 DAYS TREK
Ist D Gressoney St Jean – Rif. Ospizio Sottile
from the Ondro Verdebio car park. Ascent to Rifugio Ospizio Sottile, path 1A
3h15 5km ↗1080m
2nd D Rif. Ospizio Sottile – Rif. Rivetti
descend the Valdobbia valley and climb the Val Vogna to Colle del Maccagno 2495m. We recommend a snack with fresh cheeses from the Alpe Maccagno! Continue along the GTA through Colle Loozoney 2395m and Colle della Mologna Grande 2360m, then descend to Rifugio Rivetti 2150m.
7h30 16,5km ↗1000m ↘1280m
3rd D Rif. Rivetti – Gressoney St Jean
Crossing to Rifugio della Vecchia 1870m, sentiero E69, then E59 (caution: exposed path to be renovated in early summer 2024). Climb to Colle della Vecchia 2187m E50, then descend to Gaby, marker 1 to Berard, then path 7. Take the bus back to ondro Verdebio https://www.vitagroup.it/
6h15 12km ↗650m ↘1750m
Variation: from Rifugio Rivetti, climb to Colle della Mologna Piccola 2200m, E69 and E65, then descend directly to Gaby, path 6C, then 6D.
4h 9km ↗250m ↘1350m
4 DAYS TOUR
4 DAYS TREK
Ist D Valle di Gressoney – Rif. Rivetti
Between Gaby and Gressoney St Jean, at Bode-Miette, car park at the end of the road leading to Lyso. Walk up the Vallone di Loo, path 12. We recommend a snack at the Agriturismo di Loo Superiore! From Colle Loozoney 2350m, cross to Colle della Mologna Grande 2360m, path 6A (follow the GTA signpost) and descend to Rifugio Rivetti 2150m.
5h 10,5km ↗1080m ↘250m
2nd D Rif. Rivetti – Rif. della Vecchia
Descent to Piedicavallo, footpath E60. Ascent to Rifugio della Vecchia via the E50 multi-terrain road.
4h45 10km ↗750m ↘1100m
3rd D Rif. della Vecchia – Rif . della Barma
climb to Colle della Vecchia 2187, E50, then cross to Rifugio della Barma 2060m
5h30 10,5km ↗1000m ↘800m
4th D Rif. della Barma – Valle di Gressoney
Descent to Fontainemore, trail 2. Return to Bode-Miette by bus https://www.vitagroup.it/
3h 8km ↘1250m
5 DAYS TOUR
5 DAYS TREK
Ist D Valle di Gressoney – Rif. Rivetti
Departure from Valle di Gressoney, between Gaby and Gressoney St Jean, at Bode-Miette, car park at the end of the road leading to Lyso. Go up the Vallone di Loo, path 12. We recommend a snack at the Agriturismo di Loo Superiore! From Colle Loozoney 2350m, cross to Colle della Mologna Grande 2360m, path 6A (follow the GTA markers) and descend to Rifugio Rivetti 2150m.
5h 10,5km ↗1080m ↘250m
2nd D Rif. Rivetti – Rif. della Vecchia
Descent to Piedicavallo, footpath E60. Ascent to Rifugio della Vecchia via the E50 multi-terrain road.
4h45 10km ↗750m ↘1100m
3rd D Rif. della Vecchia – Rif . della Barma
climb to Colle della Vecchia 2187, E50, then cross to Rifugio della Barma 2060m
5,30h 10,5km ↗1000m ↘800m
4th D Rif . della Barma – Rif. Coda
climb to Colle Chardon 2220m, path 2B, and reach the lake, Lago del Mucrone, path D23. Follow the GTA markers through the Bocchetta del Lago to Rifugio Coda 2280m.
4,30h 9km ↗700m ↘500m
5th D Rif. Coda – Valle di Gressoney
join Colle Carisey 2132m, GTA markers, then descend to Lilianes, path 1 and 2. Return to Gressoney by bus https://www.vitagroup.it/
3,30h 8km ↘1550m
6 DAYS TOUR
6 DAYS TREK
Ist D Valle d’Aosta – Rif. Ospizio Sottile
At Gressoney St Jean, Ondro Verdebio car park. Ascent to Rifugio Ospizio Sottile, path 1A
3h15 5km ↗1080m
2nd D Rif. Ospizio Sottile – Rif. Rivetti
descend the Valdobbia valley and climb the Val Vogna to Colle del Maccagno 2495m. We recommend a cheese snack at Alpe Maccagno. Follow the GTA signs through Colle Loozoney 2395m and Colle della Mologna Grande 2360m, then descend to Rifugio Rivetti 2150m.
7,3h 16,5km ↗1000m ↘1280m
3rd D Rif. Rivetti – Rif. La Vecchia
Descent to Piedicavallo, footpath E60. Ascent to Rifugio della Vecchia on the E50 mule track.
4h45 10km ↗750m ↘1100m
4th D Rif. La Vecchia – Rif. della Barma
ascent to Colle della Vecchia 2187, E50, then cross to Rifugio della Barma 2060m
5,30h 10,5km ↗1000m ↘800m
5th D Rif. della Barma – Rif. Coda
climb to Colle Chardon 2220m, path 2B, and reach the Lago del Mucrone lake, path D23. Follow the GTA signs through the Bocchetta del Lago to Rifugio Coda 2280m.
4,30h 9km ↗700m ↘500m
6th D Rif. Coda – Valle di Gressoney
Reach Colle del Giassit 2026m, on the path signposted Altavia 1 or along the GTA, then descend to Lilianes, path 2A. Return to Gressoney by bus https://www.vitagroup.it/
5h 11km ↗150m ↘1700m
GTA - La Grande Traversata delle Alpi
The Grande Traversata delle Alpi is a route from the Swiss border to the Mediterranean. Symmetrical to the GR5, it links the Alpine valleys of Piedmont, via mule tracks and hilltop villages, over 850km divided into 55 stages.
ps://hiiker.app/trails/switzerland/goms/grande-traversata-delle-alpi/amenities
The first sector ends at the rifugio Rivetti
https://www.piemontescape.com/fr/hiking/grande-traversata-delle-alpi-gta-tratto-nord-piemonte/3976a67083ac942d7c1d573127a44905/
https://www.piemonteoutdoor.it/it/attivita/escursionismo/gta-tappa-27-rifugio-rivetti-santuario-di-san-giovanni-dandorno
ALTA VIA DELLE ALPI BIELLESI
High Way of the Biellesi Alps
From Rifugio Rivetti to Rifugio Mombarone
A combination of hiking and via ferrata. A line of ridges at the outpost of the Alps, from Ivrea to Monte Rosa. The highest peaks in the Western Alps can be seen all along the way.
Beware: you need sure-footedness, good training and a keen sense of observation!
The entire route is not safe and some stages can be long. Bring a harness and tether.
40km of ascent-descent in 5 stages:
1st D Piedicavallo – Rifugio Rivetti
2nd D Rifugio Lago della Vecchia
3rd D Rifugio Capanna Renata
4th D Rifugio Mombarone
5th D back to Graglia, then by bus to Biella and Piedicavallo
MONTI SACRI The Holy Mountains
The 9 Sacred Mounts, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, rise up between Piedmont and Lombardy, in north-western Italy.
In the Biella area you’ll find the Sanctuary of Oropa, one of the 9 Sacred Mounts and one of the most imposing religious complexes in the Alpine Arc. Dedicated to the cult of Mary, the Black Madonna.
1D climb to Rivetti and Punta Tre Vescovi, where the borders of the bishoprics of Biella, Aosta and Val Sesia converge.
2°D to Ospizio San Giovanni d’Andorno
passing through the rifugio Madonna della Neve in Rosazza, then to the village of Rosazza, with its amazing architecture and eco-museum
3rd day at the Sanctuary of Oropa: a UNESCO World Heritage site, this Capuchin monastery has become a huge complex nestling at the bottom of a combe.
Overnight in the sanctuary rooms (info@santuariodioropa.it) or higher up, at the Rosazza refuge www.rifugio-rosazza.it4th day at the Santuario di Graglia, via the Monastero della Trappa, at Sordevolo (possibility of overnight stay and visit to the building’s eco-museum).
5th day at the Monastero di Bose: where, exceptionally, monks and nuns of different Christian denominations live in an autonomous community. An ongoing ecumenical project
https://www.trekking.it/reportage/italia/sacri-monti-unesco/
CLIMBING
Just behind the refuge, on the Parete della Madonnina, there are some easy routes.
And in the surrounding area, there are some beautiful cliffs to discover…
La Cresta dei Cacciatori, I Gemelli, la Mitria, la Fontana dell’asino
Arrampicata sulle Alpi Biellesi
