Oratorio di Cuney

The Cuney Mountain Hut was built on the walls of a chapel erected in 1.656 beside a blessed spring, which has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries. Originally used as a stable and later converted into a refuge for pilgrims, it remains a landmark today for hikers visiting the mountain pasture basin at the foot of Becca del Merlo and the nearby lakes of Cuney, Becca Fontaney and Monte Morion.

The building is situated at 2.652 m, in the basin of the same name in the upper Saint-Barthélemy valley, in the municipality of Nus, between Valpelline and Valtournenche.

The refuge retains the authentic character of the high mountains: simple and rustic, yet comfortable and welcoming. It offers 25 beds in traditional, wood-panelled dormitories and a dining room serving typical Aosta Valley cuisine, rustic and full of flavour. A bar and café service is also available, ideal for a break immersed in the alpine atmosphere.

How to get there

On foot: 

• from the Porliod picnic area (1.873 m) or from the tarmac car park (just above it), take path n.  11B, which starts on the left and climbs through the woods; after crossing the farm track a couple of times, you emerge onto open ground, crossing a pasture to the Tsa de Fontaney hut (2.307 m). The path continues and climbs, passing to the left of Mont Morion, up to the Col du Salvé (2.569 m). Here, stay on the official path, leaving the Il Passet via ferrata to your left, and continue climbing up the opposite ridge, across grassy terraces dotted with tiny lakes, soon reaching the Cunéy Refuge (2.656 m), with the beautiful sanctuary beside it.
  Difficulty: E excursion route
  Elevation gain: approx. 700 m
  Duration: 2h20
  
  
• from the car park at Lignan (1,648 m), in the municipality of Nus, follow the signs for pah n. 11. The route climbs gradually towards Alpe Tza Fontaney and continues towards Col du Salvé. Once over the pass, the trail continues along the hillside until it reaches the sanctuary and the Cuney Refuge.
  Difficulty: E excursion route
  Elevation gain: approx. 1.000 m.
  Duration: 3h30