The hut was rebuilt between August 2006 and July 2011, and offers accommodation for 60 people, and is wardened between mid-July and mid-September. The old winter hut remains open all year round.[2]
Access
The Refuge Gonella is situated on the Aiguilles Grises ridge that separates the Dôme glacier from the Glacier de Bionnassay Italien.
The climb to the refuge starts at La Visaille / plan Lognan (1,670 m) and follows the track towards Plan Combal (1,990 m). Not far away lies the Lake Miage. Near the Ghiacciaio del Miage glacier is the trailhead S15 leading to the hut at 3071 m.
At 2,500 m flows on the Dôme du Goûter result in the Ghiacciaio del Dome glacier (Fr. Glacier du Dome) of the Miage. At about 2,400 m, the Mont Blanc glacier (French: Glacier du Mont Blanc) is reached, which is fed from the southwest slopes of Mont Blanc.
At an elevation of 2,650 m the trail finally leaves the Miage glaciers and rises over steep rocks to the hut. It takes approximately 5 ½ hours reach the Gonella Refuge from La Visaille, graded at F
Mountaineering
Summit ascents
The following peaks can be reached from the Gonella Refuge: