Tommaso Mardegan from DMC N2S Italia offers a challenge for mountain climbers on an “Alpine safari” to visit two incredible shelters high above the clouds of Aosta Valley.  

What is the local hidden treasure?  
Capanna Margherita and Bivacco Gervasutti are pretty inaccessible places in the Aosta Valley region, but they are absolutely worth knowing. Expert hikers can reach these two out-of-this-world mountain huts located on some of the region’s famous peaks, and even stay overnight.  

What makes them so special?  
The extreme location of these huts offer breathtaking views of the area, and the space-age design and precarious position straddling the mountain peaks will make you feel like the star of your very-own Bond movie.  The photos say it all!  

How did you discover this treasure?  
One day my brother David – an extreme sports enthusiast, free-climber, and expert hiker – took me out for a full-day excursion to Capanna Margherita. After nearly 4 ½ hours of difficult hiking, I could not believe my eyes! The views are from another planet: the balconies sit on the clouds and are the perfect place from which to watch one of the world’s best sunsets. At 4,556 meters on the Monte Rosa massif,   second only in the Alps to Mont Blanc, it is the highest refuge in Europe and houses an important laboratory for scientific research. It’s name is an homage to Queen Margaret of Savoy, who stayed overnight in the refuge’s inaugural year of 1893.  

Alternatively, Bicacco Gervasutti, sits 2,835 meters above sea level on a Mont Blanc glacier. This modern refuge was designed and built by the Italian architects Luca Gentilcore and Stefano Testa, using helicopters to fly in each section. The unique structure includes living and dining areas, and two sleeping quarters that can accommodate up to twelve people. Anyone capable of besting the challenging ascent from Val Ferret on foot is welcome to visit and stay in the hut. With solar-powered energy and internet access, this sleek Alpine shelter is a far cry from its older, draughty wooden ancestor.

For more information about N2S Italia, click here.