Rifugio Bonatti (Bonatti Refuge), Val Ferret

Very plush refuge with stunning views back over the Mont Blanc massif

featured in Mountain Huts Updated 16 July 2021

Situated in the Val Ferret valley in Italy at the mouth of the vallee de Malatra this refuge has stunning views on all sides and is relatively easy to access at all times of year.

The refuge can be reached from Courmayeur. Once in Entrèves take the Val Ferret, continuing to Lavachey. The refuge is located on the orographic left side of this valley, at 2025 meters. Its location, at the entrance of the Valley of Malatrà, is a good vantage point of the Mont Blanc massif.

In addition to being an ideal starting point for tours of varying difficulty and length, it’s a rest stop of the TMB (Tour Mont Blanc), the T.G.B. (Tour the Great St. Bernard) and Alta Via # 1.

Accommodation can be booked bed only, or including breakfast and/or dinner. Beds are provided with blankets and pillows but for hygiene reasons you must provide your own sheet or sleeping bag liner (they can also be rented at the refuge depending on availability).

Please contact the refuge directly for this season's prices and opening/closing dates.

Worth knowing

The easy accessibility of this refuge makes it very popular, be sure to reserve your places in advance of your trip.

Who should go

Perfect for a summer hike along the valley or in winter you can snow shoe or ski tour up to the refuge.

Things to do nearby

Enjoy the trip of a lifetime with these qualified tandem paragliding specialists - All year round

Tandem Paragliding

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Half & full day guided snowshoeing in the Chamonix Valley

Snowshoe Day Hikes in Chamonix

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Marriage proposals, wedding ceremonies in nature, events, family portraits & outings in the spectacular surroundings of Chamonix

Teresa Kaufman Chamonix Photoshoots

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Half day and full day snowshoe walks in Vallorcine

Snowshoe Guided Walks
Half day or full day private guided snowshoeing walks

Guided Snowshoeing

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15 to 30 min paragliding flight suitable for adults & children

Introductory Tandem Paraglide

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Restaurants nearby

Mountain restaurant with delicious local cuisine on the summit of the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842m

Le 3842 Restaurant

11.9 km
Mountain café at the Aiguille du Midi

Summit 3842 Café

11.9 km
Restaurant at the Refuge du Montenvers at the top station of the Montenvers trainline

Refuge du Montenvers Restaurant

13.4 km
A mountain bistro with 'panoramic' views over the Mer de Glace and Les Drus

Le Panoramique Restaurant

13.6 km
Cute little snack shack found on the Vallée Blanche return, serving food and drinks

Buvette des Mottets Restaurant

13.9 km
Small chalet serving fresh homemade food set in a spectacular location

La Cascade du Dard Restaurant

14.9 km

Sights nearby

Just over the border to Switzerland you can journey up to the Emosson Dam

VerticAlp funiculars and train

Le Chatelard
Summer lifts giving you access to the Swiss border, hiking and MTB trails

Le Tour and Vallorcine

Chamonix
Everything you need to know about a visit to this iconic glacier and railway

Mer de Glace and Montenvers cog railway

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A classic tramway from St Gervais Le Fayet up to the Nid d'Aigle

Tramway du Mont-Blanc

Les Houches
Musée Alpin de Chamonix currently closed for renovations, planned reopening: end of 2025

Alpine Museum

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Walk amongst this protected natural area and enjoy beautiful scenery in the summer

Aiguille Rouge Nature Reserve

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Golf-clubs nearby

Beautiful golf course in fantastic surroundings in Chamonix

Chamonix Mont Blanc Golf Course

Lifts/Pistes nearby

Family fun and beginner slopes in the heart of Chamonix town

Planards beginner ski area and lifts

14.9 km
Main Town Ticket office / Departure point for the Mer de Glace

Montenvers Ski Pass Office

15.1 km
Highest cable car in Europe offering spectacular views

Aiguille du Midi Ski Pass Office

15.1 km
Cross country ski trails setting off from the centre of Chamonix

Chamonix Foyer de Ski de Fond (cross-country skiing)

15.4 km
Only a five-minute walk from the centre of Chamonix town

Brévent Ski Area & Lifts

15.9 km
Skiing area on the south-facing slopes above the village of Les Praz

Flégère Ski Area & Lifts

15.9 km

Towns nearby

The bustling, main resort town in the Chamonix Valley nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc

Chamonix Mont Blanc

15.5 km
A beautiful village with access to the ski lifts and a challenging golf course

Les Praz

15.6 km
A growing village situated under its own glacier with a train station and post office

Les Bossons

16.6 km
A traditional village located at the foot of the famous Grands Montets ski area

Argentière

17.1 km
A typical Savoyard village nestled at the far end of the Chamonix Valley

Le Tour

18.8 km
A large town at the bottom end of the Chamonix Valley about 6km from Chamonix

Les Houches

19.1 km

Check-in Arrangements

Check in at the reception when you arrive and you will be shown to your dorm room, told which beds are yours and issued with shower tokens.

Check-out Arrangements

You pay when you leave the refuge, they only take cash however, so be warned and make sure you have enough with you!

Directions

In the winter time you leave your car at Entréves (take a shuttle) or Planpincieux. Walk along the trail and reach the location Lavachey. Before the wooden bridge, the trail 28 that goes through the woods. At the junction for Sécheron / Val Arminaz, you turn left on the path and climb until you reach the open area in sight of the refuge.