Shelter Fontana Mura

The Fontana Mura Refuge is located in the Orsiera-Rocciavrè Natural Park, at the foot of Colle della Roussa, a pass that connects Val Sangone with Val Chisone.

The refuge is named after the source of the Sangone river (originally Fontana Moura) that springs near the structure.

It is located at an altitude of 1726 meters in the upper Alpe Sellery locality.

It can only be reached on foot or by mountain bike from the beginning of the road-agro-silvo-pastoral near the locality of Pian Neiretto, after Forno di Coazze.

Located along the hiking trails GTA and Val Sangone trekking, it is an excellent base for climbing over 2000 m (Colle della Roussa) and discovering the fascinating trails among the peaks of the Park with its spectacular lakes, Rouen (2391 m), Sottano and Soprano (around 2200 m).

The refuge was built in the early '90s on the site of the old alpine pasture, of which two small buildings remain. It was in one of these buildings that King Vittorio Emanuele II, during one of his hunting trips, was able to find refuge during a storm, as a guest of the then shepherd Severino. The refuge, damaged by an avalanche in winter 2009, was renovated in 2011 when it also hosted the Park's hut.

It has approximately 11 beds divided into two rooms, one double, with independent access on the upper floor, private bathroom, and covered terrace.

On the ground floor, there is a dining room with a capacity of about 30 seats, and a small loggia. The structure has a photovoltaic system for managing emergency electrical equipment and uses a small hydroelectric plant, shared with other facilities for ordinary needs.

Since 2015, it has been managed by Claudia Fea and Fabrizio Marino, a young couple who left everything to pursue their dreams and are ready to discover and rediscover the charm of the surprising Val Sangone.

Infos

Access

By Car: from Turin take the highway to the Frejus tunnel (A 32) to reach Avigliana, then take the SP 589 towards the Avigliana lakes. At the roundabout after the tunnel, continue towards Giaveno with the SP 190; cross the center of Giaveno and at the roundabout continue towards Coazze. After a few kilometers, leave the road to Coazze on the right and continue towards Forno. Continue on the same road, leave the Sanctuary of Madonna di Lourdes on the left, and pass the campsite "I Pianass". After a few hairpin bends, you will reach the agro-silvo-pastoral road, where there are several signboards including the one for the Refuge, and you can park the car.

Hiking Route: from the car park, walk along the dirt road for about an hour. During the hike, you will come across the equipped area near the charming Loja scura waterfall. At the edge of the forest, leave the path to the Sertorio building on the left, an Environmental Observatory, and continue on the country road. Follow the uphill road until the third hairpin bend. From here, you can choose to continue on the road passing through the lower Sellery alp (longer but slightly easier route) or take the trail (sign for Alpe Sellery superiore 414) which is high above the stream, then descends to cross it, and climbs back up along a ridge through the pastures. Without being misled by the cattle tracks, head towards the buildings of Alpe Sellery superiore (1726 m).

Ascent times from the parking lot:

• Experienced hikers: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Families with children and untrained individuals: 2 hours
• With snowshoes or crampons in the winter: 2 hours and 30 minutes

From the refuge, it is possible to follow several routes, including the path that ascends through the pastures with numerous switchbacks always towards the west, until reaching Colle La Roussa (2019 m, 1 hour; sign 414-7).

Services

Hot water

Animals allowed

Bar

Electricity

Board games

Internet connection

Reading Room

Wood stove

Terrace

Restrooms inside