Couermayeur to Refuge Bonatti

9 September – Couermayeur (1202 meters or 3944 feet) to Refuge Bonatti (2025 meters or 6644 feet) : 12.61 km

The first 2.5 hours out of Couermayeur you climb, climb and climb some more and steeply at times. Along the way you get nice views of Courmayeur. 

Refuge Bertoni at the top of the climb is very pleasant enjoying great views and has great coffee. It seems many people make it a day hike from Couermayeur – have lunch and go back down.

 The remainder of the hike is fairly easy and picturesque, across wildflower filled meadows.

Although every step you take through here has beautiful scenery it is good to finally arrive at Refuge Bonatti. The place was packed but clean and well designed and the food and service were good - all one can ask for. 

(http://www.rifugiobonatti.it/?lang=en). Actually this was another last minute deal. For days before there were no vacancies in the Refuge Bonatti which is the only accommodation around there. It was only the same morning leaving Courmayeur we got the “good news” that they have 2 available beds (reservations of which had just been cancelled) in the dorm. Our stay in the dorm worked out fine. No one snored too loud!