Elena Refuge, from Arp Nouva

Introduction

A walk suitable for everyone, including children. It is advisable not to do this hike in the middle of August, as the road through the beautiful Val Ferret is used by off-road vehicles that accompany guests to the hut.

This itinerary provides a perfect view of the Pré de Bard glacier: there is a poster inside the hut with various photos of the glacier so you can see how it has retreated over the years.

Description

You park at Arnouva (1769m) just before the Val Ferret shuttle bus terminus (if the Val Ferret road is closed to traffic, you can get to Arnouva by shuttle bus). Leaving the car park, cross a small wooden bridge and start walking along a practically level farm road. After a few minutes, a signpost indicates the direction to take. Proceed for a short stretch on the level until you reach the junction for the Bivacco Comino (1785m, 0h10'): ignore the path and proceed along the road, which begins to climb. A splendid view of the Triolet glacier slowly opens up. The trail briefly skirts a branch of the Doire de Ferret until reaching, at a hairpin bend, the start of the path to the Dalmazzi hut (1857m, 0h15'). A couple of hairpin bends take you slightly uphill, continuing halfway up the slope, passing under a sloping rock. After passing a couple of small hairpin bends, continue straight ahead again, heading towards a moraine tongue descending from the Pré de Bard glacier. Finally you reach three long hairpin bends from which you can already catch a glimpse of the hut: at the end of the last one you meet the junction for the Fiorio bivouacs (2038m, 0h40') after which you proceed slightly uphill, crossing a few small streams, until you meet, on the left, the start of the path for the Tête de Ferret. The itinerary is now finished, and after a few metres you reach the Rifugio Elena (2061m, 0h45').
The return is along the same route as the outward journey.