Rifugio Avanzà (2578 mt.)

The mountain refuge Avanzà is located at 2580 m a.s.l., at the foot of Mount Giusalet, near the Avanzà Pass (from which it takes its name) which separates the Clarea Valley from the Cenischia Valley.
It was once a small military barracks but now it belongs to the Comune of Venaus and is run by the Pro Loco of Venaus, a non-profit making tourist association.
The refuge has 24 beds and a kitchen which the hikers can use to cook their meals. It opens from 6 pm on Saturdays to 5 pm on Sundays from July to September.
It stays open all day during the first three weeks of August. When the refuge is closed in case of emergency, a room is left open which can give shelter to 6 persons.
Its beautifully panoramic position, together with its breathtaking landscapes and its altitude make it the ideal place for both hikers and families who want to spend some time into the fresh mountain air.
The refuge has also a telephone number: +39 122 50330 (mobile: +39 3490523250). Everybody who wants to stay or spend some day in the refuge is invited to tell the people running the refuge about their coming.

Access A

Drive along the SS 25 (A-road) - the one that from Susa reaches the Moncenisio Pass.
About 2 km after the small town of Giaglione, turn left and take the road leading to Val Clarea.
After 1 km, before reaching Piano delle Rovine, turn right (there is a road sign indicating "S. Chiara") and take the road leading up to Prà Piano (1495 m a.s.l.) and to the fortress of S. Chiara.
At the fortress of S. Chiara the asphalted road ends. Form there, it is possible to continue driving on the dirt road until either the spinning reserve or the piezometric well of the hydroelectric station of Venaus (1950 m a.s.l.).
Start walking along the shallow cart track leading to the ruins of Grange Marzo (2014 m a.s.l.), to where it meets the mule track coming up from Bar Cenisio.
Continue walking along the well marked track until the ruins of Grangia della Vecchia (2237 m a.s.l.), and then until the refuge (2578 m a.s.l.) (1.45 hrs).

Variante A/B

Alternatively, drive until Prà Piano (1495 m a.s.l.) there is a farm accommodation called "Meizoun de Barbamarc" - and leave the car near the fortress of S. Chiara.
Where the asphalted road ends, take the old mule track on the left which leads to the mountain barn called Bergerie Martina (1960 m a.s.l.) and then to Blet (2075 m a.s.l. - a ruined mountain barn) passing first through a wood of larches and then through pastures (1.15 hrs).
From there, go to the refuge following the indications given at point B (3 hrs total from Prà Piano).

Accesso B

Drive along the dirt road and leave the car after the last sharp bend, at about 300 metres before the piezometric well Take the track on the left and walk to the Bergeria Mabert (mountain barn at 1964 m a.s.l.) and to the Bergeria Martina (mountain barn at 1960 m a.s.l.).
A few metres before the Bergeria Martina, start climbing diagonally across the steep slope on the left, walk on after the Bergeria Blet (2075 m a.s.l. - a ruined mountain barn) untill you see the wide and deep Valley of Clarea.
From this point take the uphill mule track which crosses the south-western side of the Punta Mulatera and Punta Toasso Bianco until it reaches the Avanzà Pass (2538 m a.s.l.) (1.45 hrs) and, from there, walk on to the refuge.

Accesso C

Drive along the SS 25 (A-road) until you reach the hotel "Quo Vadis" in Bar Cenisio (1483 m a.s.l.). Take the first asphalted road on the left - there is a road sign indicating "Rifugio Avanzà".
After the village take the track which goes into a wood of larches. Cross the mountain stream called Berta and keep left walking for a long stretch halfway up the ridge until you reach the Clanero stream. Cross the stream and walk along the winding military track leading to the ruins of Grange Marzo (2014 m a.s.l.).
From there continue walking along the well marked track until the ruins of Grangia della Vecchia (2237 m a.s.l.), and then until the refuge (2578 m a.s.l.) (3.15 hrs total).