The "Campo Base" mountain refuge and campsite, the former Vivalda barracks, is situated in the upper Maira Valley at approximately 1,650 metres above sea-level on the right bank of the main valley floor of the Maurin river (the upper stretch of the Maira river). It lies at the foot of the Croce Provenzale and Monte Castello mountains, a focal point for various mountain footpaths (GTA, Via Alpina, Percorsi Occitani, Dino Icardi, Roberto Cavallero, Montagne Senza Frontiere, Tour dello Chambeyron, Pier Giorgio Frassati) and at the heart of the upper circuit of the cross-country ski trails at Acceglio (Chiappera).
The refuge can offer its visitors overnight accommodation and a restaurant as well as any assistance they might need. The accommodation space available is significantly increased by the presence of a campsite, which is partially equipped with the refuge's own fixed tents while the rest is set aside for motorhomes and tents brought onto the site.
Respect for the landscape and the environment in general is a fundamental prerogative of the "Campo Base" management.
Another objective of the refuge is to support the activities of a "mountain school" in the upper valley, aimed at offering training programmes not only in sporting disciplines - mountaineering, ski touring, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking, sport fishing - but also in life skills such as cohabitation, technical, scientific and humanist culture and safety in the mountains.
"Campo Base" is a project conceived by Maira SpA, an agency for the social and economic development of the Maira and Grana Valleys and mountain areas in general, based on a strategy of self-determination and environmental, economic and financial sustainability.
