Observing the 2026 solar eclipse from the mountains

On August 12, 2026, European skies will host an extraordinary spectacle not seen in twenty years: a total solar eclipse.
Although the path of complete totality will diagonally cut across only Iceland, Greenland, and Spain, here in Italy, particularly in Piedmont, we will be able to witness an equally memorable event.

We will find ourselves immersed in a deep partial eclipse at sunset, with over 93% of the solar disc covered at the moment of maximum obscuration. This enchanting "golden hour eclipse" will begin at 7:28 PM, reach its peak at 8:21 PM, and accompany us until 8:40 PM, just as the Sun dips below the horizon.
It will be the perfect opportunity to disconnect from daily routines, get outdoors, and enjoy an unforgettable natural spectacle.

Planning your perfect eclipse viewing on August 12, 2026

However, catching this partial eclipse will require a dash of initiative and careful planning. At the moment of maximum obscuration, the Sun will be at an apparent height of just 2.7 degrees above the western horizon.
This means that any obstacle to the west—be it a city building, a dense forest, or the silhouette of a nearby mountain—risks obscuring the view at the most beautiful moment. The perfect strategy to avoid missing the climax is to escape the haze of the plain and head to higher altitudes.

Choosing the mountains as your observation point is the best idea: ideal locations are elevated ridges, passes, or alpine meadows oriented west or west-northwest, capable of guaranteeing a completely clear line of sight to the furthest horizon.

To ensure no unexpected peak covers the Sun at the last second, digital technology offers formidable allies to consult from home: the Stellarium app (https://stellarium-web.org/), which calculates the exact position of the Sun at any given time, and PeakFinder (https://www.peakfinder.com/it/), an exceptional tool that recreates mountain profiles and reveals in advance if a distant peak will act as a barrier.

In addition to these apps, we strongly recommend using the timeanddate.com portal: it’s a very useful website where, by simply entering GPS coordinates, the city, or your location, you can view a convenient visual preview of the eclipse and access all the details and exact timings to organize yourself best.

Before heading to the mountains, however, it's good to remember that safety comes first: since the eclipse in Italy will always remain partial, direct sunlight will continue to be intense and dangerous for your eyesight. To protect your eyes, it will be mandatory to wear certified glasses from the beginning to the end of the observation.

 But the true beauty of this high-altitude adventure is that the spectacle won't end with the sunset. August 12, 2026, will perfectly coincide with a New Moon night, offering the absolute best dark conditions to admire the Perseids, the famous "shooting stars" of San Lorenzo.

Deciding to spend the night in a mountain hut or high-altitude bivouac, far from the light pollution of big cities, transforms the observation into a total and unforgettable experience.

At Verticalife, we know how important it is to experience the mountains in the right places.
To allow you to witness this spectacle at its best and in close contact with nature, we have selected some mountain huts perfect for the occasion, strategically positioned to give you an unobstructed view to the west and let you fully experience the magic of a night at altitude:

• Rifugio Don Barbera (2079 m) – Alpi Liguri (https://www.rifugiodonbarbera.eu/it/)
• Rifugio della Gardetta (2335 m) – Valle Maira (https://www.rifugiogardetta.it/)
• Capanna Mautino (2110 m) – Monti della Luna, Torino (https://capannamautino.it/)
• Rifugio Garelli (1970 m) – Parco del Marguareis, Cuneo (https://www.rifugiogarelli.com/)

First, you will bid farewell to the Sun as it fades like a golden crescent behind the mountain ridges, and then, immersed in the silence of the alpine night with your gaze turned skyward, you can make your wishes under a cascade of up to eighty shooting stars per hour.
And for now, the only wish we can hope for is a clear sky and a night full of energy. Happy summer to all!