Bergvagabunden Hütte

As you make your way effortlessly up through the San Pellegrino meadows, the refuge is always in sight, high up. But when you get there you realize that the Bergvagabunden Hütte - between the San Pellegrino and Monzoni valleys - is built on a front line, the one controlled by Austrian troops positioned on the Costabella ridges during the Great War. They spent two years - 1915 to 1917 - confronting ... the Italians stationed to the south, on the opposite flank. The refuge is an excellent spot to learn something about this history of emplacements and trenches, but it is also dedicated to all “mountain vagabonds”, as envisioned by Bepi “Zac” Pellegrin, father of the current warden. Don’t be surprised, therefore, when you read the inscription "Bergvagabunden Hütte” on the refuge’s stamp. Open From 20 June to the last Sunday in September Before leaving for your hike, always contact the manager to verify the actual opening of the mountain hut Walks The Refuge is an ideal base for anyone interested in doing the Alta Via Bepi Zac (eastwards towards Cima Uomo, 8 hours) or the Alta Via Bruno Federspiel (in the opposite direction along the Monzoni ridge, 4 hours). Both routes are of historical interest with vestiges of the Great War, but you do need to be experienced and to have a via ferrata kit. On the Bepi Zac, there is an escape route down to the valley, to Passo Sam Pellegrino, before reaching the challenging section around Cima Uomo. You can also get to Val San Nicolò on the Gino Badia protected path across the Lagusèl basin, which begins at Passo delle Selle (3 hours, difficulty EEA).