Perhaps one of the most famous mountain huts in Lombardy: the Rifugio Gianetti in Val Masino, which almost blends into the surrounding granite slabs.
Alpine huts have something unique about them. Try explaining the concept to someone who has never been to the mountains: slightly rough hotels? Hostels for hikers? Official suppliers of polenta and wine?
Pockets of humanity in the middle of uninhabited valleys and plateaus, huts offer food and drink during the day and shelter at night on multi-day hikes.
Most huts in the Alps open around 5 June and close at the end of September. Some of the more accessible huts are open at weekends all year round, but it is always best to check.
Firmly rooted in tradition as they are, many huts are changing. Some new huts, designed by architects, offer unusual structures and spectacular glass walls. Others are “freshening up” with outdoor gazebos and deckchairs.
Good to know about mountain huts
A large share of Italian mountain huts belongs to the sections of the Club Alpino Italiano, founded in Turin in 1863, and is run in summer by a warden who cooks, takes bookings and sets the dinner sittings. The CAI's rules ask overnight guests to use their own sleeping-bag liner, and when you book the warden may ask for a deposit no higher than the cost of the night; a booking counts once the warden has confirmed it, and many huts can now also be booked through the CAI's online platform. If your plans change, a phone call to cancel is the most appreciated gesture, because that bed is often the only shelter for whoever arrives later.
Members of an alpine club also get discounts outside their own country, thanks to the reciprocal agreement between the CAI, the Swiss Alpine Club, the German and Austrian Alpine Clubs, the Alpenverein Südtirol and other associations. In category I huts members get at least 50 per cent off the overnight price and priority when beds are allocated, in category II huts at least 30 per cent; all you need is a membership card bearing the reciprocity logo. For anyone who sleeps in huts more than a few nights a year, membership pays for itself quickly, quite apart from whatever else your own club offers its members.
The hikes
By our rating, highest first. Browse them as photographs, as a list with all the numbers or on the map.
DolomitesRifugio Firenze and Seceda, a balcony on the OdlePerhaps the finest hike in the whole of the Dolomites, set between alpine pastures and vertical walls.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 880m
- Rating
- 10/10
DolomitesFrom the Alpe di Siusi to Rifugio Bolzano on the SciliarA stroll across the high plateaus of the Alpe di Siusi and the Sciliar, among the most famous in the Dolomites.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 21km
- Ascent
- 1,000m
- Rating
- 9/10
DolomitesThe Strada delle 52 Gallerie on the PasubioA visit to Rifugio Achille Papa and the Zona Sacra del Pasubio, by way of the spectacular Strada delle 52 Gallerie- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 17km
- Ascent
- 1,130m
- Rating
- 9/10
DolomitesCima Brenta tour from Molveno (2 days)A two-day loop to discover the remarkable high balcony of the Brenta Dolomites.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 14:00h
- Distance
- 33km
- Ascent
- 2,390m
- Rating
- 9/10
PiedmontRifugio Valasco, Rifugio Questa and the military mule tracks of ValscuraIn the upper Valle Gesso: remarkable military roads, the crystal-clear lakes of Valscura and Claus, and two historic mountain huts.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 20km
- Ascent
- 1,020m
- Rating
- 9/10
SwitzerlandGlacier d'Orny and Cabane du TrientA walk to the imposing Glacier d'Orny, in the Mont Blanc massif- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 970m
- Rating
- 9/10
Aosta ValleyMonte Fortin and Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini in Val VenyA sensational viewing terrace over Monte Bianco and the Himalayan-looking Miage Glacier.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:30h
- Distance
- 21km
- Ascent
- 1,190m
- Rating
- 9/10
Aosta ValleyRifugio Bertone and Testa della Tronche, a balcony over Monte BiancoIn Val Ferret, on a grassy ridge face to face with the giants of Monte Bianco.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:30h
- Distance
- 16km
- Ascent
- 1,010m
- Rating
- 9/10
DolomitesLagazuoi loop hike300m of ascent through military galleries and tunnels to the panoramic terrace of the Lagazuoi. Optional: the Ferrata degli Alpini on the Col dei Bos (C/D)- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 700m
- Rating
- 8/10
DolomitesRifugio Puez and the Val Longia loopA loop hike along a balcony overlooking the gorge of the Val Longia.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:30h
- Distance
- 16km
- Ascent
- 1,030m
- Rating
- 8/10
Lake ComoFrom Piani Resinelli to Rifugio RosalbaOne of the great classics of the Lombard Prealps. Dolomite-like views, an hour's drive from Milan.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 6km
- Ascent
- 530m
- Rating
- 8/10
Lake ComoMonte Grona and Monte BregagnoAlong the grassy ridge between Monte Grona and Bregagno, face to face with Lake Como.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 1,120m
- Rating
- 8/10
Lake ComoThe Via delle Creste Orientali on the ResegoneAn entertaining ridge path along the Dolomite-like towers of the Resegone.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 12km
- Ascent
- 920m
- Rating
- 8/10
PiedmontRifugio Zamboni Zappa on the Belvedere GlacierAt the foot of the 4000-metre peaks of Monte Rosa, the hike to Rifugio Zamboni Zappa is a tour in glaciology.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:30h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 870m
- Rating
- 8/10
SwitzerlandCapanna Boval and the Morteratsch GlacierFace to face with the Bernina, in a commanding glacial setting.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 14km
- Ascent
- 640m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValchiavennaRifugio Bertacchi at Lago d'EmetTo Lago d'Emet, an almost perfectly circular little lake overlooking the Valle Spluga.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 11km
- Ascent
- 990m
- Rating
- 8/10
Aosta ValleyTo Rifugio Barbustel, in the heart of the Monte Avic Natural ParkCrystal-clear lakes and larch woods with a North American feel, in under 3 hours of walking.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 9.6km
- Ascent
- 700m
- Rating
- 8/10
Aosta ValleyLakes, glaciers and waterfalls in the Valle del RutorA hike to Rifugio Deffeyes past the Rutor Falls, face to face with the Rutor Glacier.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:30h
- Distance
- 20km
- Ascent
- 1,070m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValtellinaLoop of Rifugio Benigni and the Trona and Zancone lakesA long route in the upper Val Gerola, taking in a mountain hut, 4 lakes and a few ibex.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 970m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValtellinaRifugio Gianetti in Val MasinoAn essential stop in the mountains of Lombardy, face to face with the granite giants of Val Masino.- Grade
- E/EE
- Time
- 7:30h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 1,480m
- Rating
- 8/10
GermanyThe Wettersteinwand balconyFrom Garmisch to Mittenwald, through gorges, Dolomite-like scenery and picture-postcard lakes.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 12:00h
- Distance
- 32km
- Ascent
- 1,940m
- Rating
- 7/10
SwitzerlandCapanna del Forno and the Forno GlacierA long walk up the Valle del Forno, repaid with views worthy of Patagonia.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 8:00h
- Distance
- 21km
- Ascent
- 1,020m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValtellinaRifugio Bignami and the Marson Glacier Trail at the FellariaIn the upper Valmalenco, face to face with the Fellaria Glacier.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:30h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 670m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValtellinaRifugio Gerli Porro and the Ventina Glacier TrailDiscovering Alpe Ventina, on the trail of a retreating glacier.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 3:30h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 700m
- Rating
- 7/10
Questions
The answers come from the hike pages listed here.
Which one is the best, in your view?
Rifugio Firenze and Seceda, a balcony on the Odle, which we rated 10 out of 10.
Which one is the easiest?
To Rifugio Barbustel, in the heart of the Monte Avic Natural Park: grade T, 4:30 hours of walking and 700 metres of ascent.
How long do these hikes take?
From 3:00 to 14:00 hours of walking, with ascents between 530 and 2,390 metres.
More guides
Other lists that share some of these hikes.
