Rifugio Buzzoni In Valtorta

A very pleasant and well-kept refuge. We enjoyed the lunch service, which featured truly excellent traditional dishes. Excellent table service from a very courteous young lady.

Beautiful place. Well-maintained and well-kept. Friendly and professional staff. We arrived on a busy day without a reservation; we waited 5 minutes and were seated. The order and service were quick, and the prices were more than fair, perhaps the lowest in the area. However, we didn't like the second serving of pasta dishes: the risotto and pizzoccheri were stuck together, as if they had been reheated or ready for a while. The polenta was good. I would return, but on a quieter day.

The Buzzoni Refuge is reached with a pleasant hike of about an hour from the Piani di Bobbio cable car station: the trail is simple and spectacular, with views that are worth the effort. Once you arrive, a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding mountains opens up. The refuge is welcoming, with authentic cuisine and well-prepared traditional dishes. An excellent stop for those seeking nature, tranquility, and good food after an easy hike.

Tranquility and excellent cuisine in a relaxing environment

Stopping by for a coffee, we appreciated the refuge's condition despite our early arrival. We'll try the half-board option.

A pleasant discovery. We stopped for lunch and were extremely pleased with both the kindness of the staff and the food.

Optimum refuge can be reached from Barzio by gondola to Piani di Bobbio, then following route 101 about 1.30 -2 hours normal pace. It is advised to book a meal if you want to eat. Friendly staff. Have a good trip!!

On Friday, July 18, 2025, I ascended from the large parking lot adjacent to the Valtorta ski lifts, specifically from the Trifoglio refuge, following the signs indicating the times. There are two routes: the one I took on the outward journey takes the path through the woods, crossing one or two downhill slopes, and then emerging at the Gandazzo pass. From there, you descend for about 10 minutes to reach the refuge, which primarily has a view of the Grigne mountains. At the Gandazzo pass, the downhill section and the section that continues to the left toward the Bobbio plains have been widened to accommodate a small vehicle used by the managers to transport goods there. This route, which I took on the return journey, to complete a circular tour, is suitable for families, as much of the route is on asphalt and asphalt roads. This tour can also be done in reverse. As for the menu of the day, I had the risotto with excellent sautéed onions and red wine, cooked exceptionally well, followed by the roast with polenta, and finally the ricotta and chocolate cake, a delicacy. Competitive prices, and what amazed me and deserves my compliments is the management of the refuge, having three children to look after: the eldest, an 8-year-old who helps serve (well done, keep it up), the second, a 5-year-old, and the 4-year-old. This isn't easy, so I hope the Buzzoni refuge's visitors understand if something may have "ruined" your day. I wish the managers all the best, and no matter how difficult it is, they persevere and continue their challenging work. THANK YOU!

A refuge with a beautiful view of the Northern Grigna (Grignone) and Southern Grigna (Grignetta). The refuge's strong point, I'd say, is the food. The polenta with mushrooms and the cheese platter were excellent. I haven't seen the rooms, however. The location, however, isn't the best; there are no paths or meadows around, just a few tables and a small patch of meadow just below the refuge. The refuge is a little lower (about 70-80 meters in elevation, if I'm not mistaken) than the path that leads from Piani di Bobbio to Rifugio Grassi and Pizzo dei Tre Signori, from the fork just before Passo Del Toro. The path, however, is quite wide (recently widened) and suitable for families. I'm not sure what the path is like for ascending from below (Barzio or Introbio).

Highly recommended refuge where you can eat excellent pizzoccheri, risotto with sausage and beef stew with polenta. Excellent desserts. Very fast and kind service!