{"id":641,"date":"2021-11-15T15:48:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T15:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/"},"modified":"2024-07-12T15:39:52","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T14:39:52","slug":"mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Things You Need To Know Before Staying In A Mountain Hut In The Italian Dolomites"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#12_frequently_asked_questions_about_mountain_huts_in_the_Dolomites\" >12 frequently asked questions about mountain huts in the Dolomites<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#1_When_do_the_huts_open_in_the_summer_season\" >1. When do the huts open in the summer season?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#2_How_to_make_a_reservation_in_a_Dolomiti_mountain_hut\" >2. How to make a reservation in a Dolomiti mountain hut<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#3_Do_huts_require_deposits\" >3. Do huts require deposits?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#4_How_much_does_it_cost_to_stay_in_a_hut_in_the_Dolomites\" >4. How much does it cost to stay in a hut in the Dolomites?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#5_What_does_half-board_mean\" >5. What does half-board mean?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#6_Alpine_clubs_and_memberships\" >6. Alpine clubs and memberships<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#7_Can_I_reserve_a_bed_and_bring_my_food\" >7. Can I reserve a bed and bring my food?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#8_What_kind_of_facilities_can_I_expect_in_the_huts\" >8. What kind of facilities can I expect in the huts?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#9_What_type_of_food_is_served_at_the_huts\" >9. What type of food is served at the huts?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#10_What_do_I_need_to_bring_when_staying_in_an_alpine_hut\" >10. What do I need to bring when staying in an alpine hut?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#11_Is_there_potable_water_in_the_huts\" >11. Is there potable water in the huts?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#12_Can_I_stay_in_the_hut_after_the_season_ends\" >12. Can I stay in the hut after the season ends?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/#Support_my_website\" >Support my website!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/&amp;t=Everything%20You%20Need%20To%20Know%20Before%20Staying%20In%20A%20Mountain%20Hut%20In%20The%20Italian%20Dolomites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Everything%20You%20Need%20To%20Know%20Before%20Staying%20In%20A%20Mountain%20Hut%20In%20The%20Italian%20Dolomites&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inafarawayland.com%2Fmountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Everything%20You%20Need%20To%20Know%20Before%20Staying%20In%20A%20Mountain%20Hut%20In%20The%20Italian%20Dolomites&amp;body=https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/\"><\/a>With over 1000 rifugios, the hut system in the Dolomites is arguably the best in the world and I think that if you are planning a holiday here, you should plan at least&nbsp;one night at a Dolomiti hut.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When completing my&nbsp;Alta Via&nbsp;hiking project during the summer of 2019 I met a&nbsp;considerable number of&nbsp;international backpackers who seemed to be very misinformed about mountain huts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The majority of them carried too much equipment and packed for every eventuality or came unprepared because they thought the huts were like hotels. Very few people I met knew exactly what to expect.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_frequently_asked_questions_about_mountain_huts_in_the_Dolomites\"><\/span>12 frequently asked questions about mountain huts in the Dolomites<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this post, I&#8217;m going to try and give you comprehensive answers&nbsp;to&nbsp;frequently asked questions such as how to make a reservation, what&#8217;s included in half board, and what kind of facilities you can expect when staying in a mountain hut in the Italian Dolomites. Plus loads more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290866499\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_When_do_the_huts_open_in_the_summer_season\"><\/span>1. When do the huts open in the summer season?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"javascript:\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1025.jpg\" alt=\"Rifugio Paul Preuss located right next to rifugio Vajolet in the Rosengarten group \" title=\"\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rifugio Paul Preuss located right next to rifugio Vajolet in the Rosengarten group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The majority of the huts in the Italian Dolomites don&#8217;t open until mid to late June, with the third week of the month being the most common opening time. You may wonder why they remain closed for so long.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&nbsp;is because there is&nbsp;still&nbsp;a lot of snow in the mountains in May and June making it impossible to get to the refuges. The huts are built at high elevations, often above 2500 meters (approx. 8000 feet) and the avalanche danger is often too great to reopen earlier. Besides, the paths leading to them are often still impassable at this time of the year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saying that the snow doesn&#8217;t completely disappear until July, so if you were planning a hiking holiday in the Dolomites in the spring then I would&nbsp;recommend that you&nbsp;reconsider it, especially if you plan on exploring at higher elevations! The ski season doesn&#8217;t usually end until the end of April!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most&nbsp;huts remain open until the third week of September when you can already expect the first snowfall. I&#8217;ve noticed that the SAT huts* in the western part of the Dolomites stay open later, often until the start and some even mid-October.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a general rule, the private huts stay open a bit longer than the ones belonging to the Alpine clubs do.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>*More on Alpine Club Huts, SAT huts, and private huts later in the article.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290866799\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_How_to_make_a_reservation_in_a_Dolomiti_mountain_hut\"><\/span>2. How to make a reservation in a Dolomiti mountain hut<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1026.jpg\" alt=\"Rifugio Pradidali in the Pale di San Martino Group provides shelter to Alta Via 2 hikers\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rifugio Pradidali in the Pale di San Martino Group provides shelter to Alta Via 2 hikers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making a reservation outside of the summer season<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, making a reservation in a Dolomiti Rifugio isn\u2019t as easy as opening a booking engine, followed by a few mouse clicks, typing in your credit card&nbsp;details, and instantaneously receiving an email confirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are planning your trip a few months in advance and the huts are still closed for the summer season you need to email. 99% of the huts have a website where you can find the contact details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t expect the answer within the next couple of hours of sending the email. Speaking from my own experience it usually takes a day or two to receive an answer but it\u2019s also not uncommon to wait for a few weeks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making a reservation during the summer season<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are making a reservation during the summer season when the hut is already open you need to call the hut directly. There is usually at least one staff member in the refuge who speaks English and will be able to assist you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will be asked for your name and dates but nothing else. Don\u2019t expect to receive any email confirmation. All you need to do is show up. I have made this call many times before and my booking was always there when I arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to&nbsp;the huts often being in remote places, the phone reception can be pretty bad. If your name is really difficult to spell or pronounce I suggest that you make it as short and as easy as possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Do_huts_require_deposits\"><\/span>3. Do huts require deposits?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Rifugio-Alpe-Di-Tires-1-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25077\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Rifugio-Alpe-Di-Tires-1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Rifugio-Alpe-Di-Tires-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Rifugio-Alpe-Di-Tires-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Rifugio-Alpe-Di-Tires-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not uncommon to be asked to pay a deposit to secure your booking. It is usually anywhere between 10-20 Euros per person. This amount is subtracted from your total bill at the end of your stay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will be asked to send it directly to the business&#8217;s bank account. Make sure to put your name and dates in the reference field when depositing so it can be assigned correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#24ad9936\"><strong>TIP<\/strong>: If you don&#8217;t have a European bank account I recommend that you sign up for <a href=\"https:\/\/wise.com\/invite\/ahpe\/martak19\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wise.com\/invite\/ahpe\/martak19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wise<\/a>. It&#8217;s the best online tool for making international transfers. Get the debit card and download the app too. Wise has the best exchange rates and always saves me a lot of money when I travel. I have been using it for years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deposits are generally refundable to a certain date (for example 2-4 weeks before arrival) or non-refundable at all. Bad weather forecasts or personal injuries are not taken under consideration if you try to cancel at short notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290866999\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_How_much_does_it_cost_to_stay_in_a_hut_in_the_Dolomites\"><\/span>4. How much does it cost to stay in a hut in the Dolomites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"javascript:\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1027.jpg\" alt=\"Rifugio Agostini in the Dolomiti Brenta Group\" title=\"\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rifugio Agostini in the Dolomiti Brenta Group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I think a lot of people don\u2019t stay in the huts thinking they are way out of their budget! There&#8217;s nothing further from the truth. The backcountry huts are one of the most affordable accommodation options in the Dolomites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The huts belonging to the Italian Alpine Club usually cost between 55-65 Euros per night for half board. The private huts usually range between 70-80 Euros for half board or 30-40 euros for bed and breakfast.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s worth mentioning that drinks (apart from the morning tea or coffee and water served at dinner) are not included in the price. The huts serve a variety of alcohol including local beers, wine, and famous Italian grappa!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12427490499\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_What_does_half-board_mean\"><\/span>5. What does half-board mean?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1028.jpg\" alt=\"The tiny Buellelejochhuette dwarfed by the Zw\u00f6lferkoffel in the Tre Cime National Park. Guide to staying in the mountain huts in the Italian Dolomites\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The tiny Buellelejochhuette dwarfed by the Zw\u00f6lferkoffel in the Tre Cime National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Half board is the combination of accommodation, breakfast, and dinner\u00a0(usually a three-course dinner) which you will be served at the restaurant. That\u2019s right, all huts have their restaurants!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also possible to not choose half board and to pay for accommodation&nbsp;and&nbsp;meals separately. I always go for this option because I am never able to finish the three-course dinner and they are served a bit late for my liking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The whole dinner usually starts at 6:30 or 7 pm and finishes at 8 or later meaning you end up stuffing your face right before bedtime. Yes, I go to bed early and wake up very early.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, price-wise, it\u2019s normally cheaper to pick the half-board option. After all, you do need to replenish all those calories burnt after a day of hiking!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The half board menu is set on the day and you have to confirm your choices usually before 5 pm. The majority of the time you will receive between 2 and 3 choices for each course. Vegetarian options are always available and usually, the cooks can accommodate something for vegans too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s worth mentioning that some private huts only&nbsp;offer bed and breakfast with a la carte dinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290867699\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Alpine_clubs_and_memberships\"><\/span>6. Alpine clubs and memberships<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1029.jpg\" alt=\"Sunrise over rifugio Lagazuoi along the Alta Via 1\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sunrise over Rifugio Lagazuoi along the Alta Via 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Italian Dolomites&#8217; two most famous mountain clubs are Club Alpino Italiano, known simply as CAI, and Societ\u00e0 degli Alpinisti Tridentini (SAT).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The huts belonging to either of those clubs often sport blue or red shutters, making them recognizable from afar.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being a member of these organizations means you receive discounts at\u00a0the club&#8217;s huts.\u00a0 You don&#8217;t need to be a member of an Italian Alpine Club to receive a discount either. I have met plenty of travellers from Germany, Austria, or Ireland (plus loads of other countries) whose\u00a0National\u00a0Alpine Club cards\u00a0gave them a discount. I think this reciprocal agreement is fantastic.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, the member huts\u00a0offer accommodation discounts of up to 50% to overnight visitors. The yearly cost of membership\u00a0starts at around 50 Euros for CAI. I&#8217;ve learned that becoming a member usually pays off if you plan on staying in at least\u00a05 Alpine Club member huts in the Dolomites.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The privately run huts in the Dolomites do not offer discounts with the memberships.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To\u00a0find out which hut belongs to an alpine club and which doesn&#8217;t, visit their websites and be on the lookout for the emblems of CAI or SAT, a sign of belonging to a club.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have\u00a0also included that information and the prices of what I consider <a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/best-mountain-huts-in-the-italian-dolomites\/\">the most photogenic huts in the Italian Dolomites<\/a>\u00a0in my separate post.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290867099\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Can_I_reserve_a_bed_and_bring_my_food\"><\/span>7. Can I reserve a bed and bring my food?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1030.jpg\" alt=\"Rifugio Rosetta in the Pale di San Martino group in the late afternoon sun\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rifugio Rosetta in the Pale di San Martino group in the late afternoon sun<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It varies from hut to hut, but generally speaking, yes, you can. The beds in Alpine Club member huts usually cost 30 Euro per night (you receive a discount of up to 50% with the Alpine Club member card).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you bring your food, however, you will have to consume it away from the hut, ensuring that you don\u2019t take away the table space from other restaurant paying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also know that bringing your food can often be frowned upon. The people who run the huts usually make\u00a0their income from running the restaurant and can see you as a &#8216;wasted customer&#8217; who doesn&#8217;t spend any money at the hut.\u00a0You&#8217;ll also have to bring your cooking equipment, eating utensils, etc.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290867399\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_What_kind_of_facilities_can_I_expect_in_the_huts\"><\/span>8. What kind of facilities can I expect in the huts?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1031.jpg\" alt=\"Rifugio Fonda Savio from the nearby via ferrata Merlone route\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rifugio Fonda Savio from the nearby via ferrata Merlone route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After staying in the alpine huts in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/new-zealand-travel-guide\/\">New Zealand<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/canadian-rockies-travel-guide\/\">Canada<\/a>, I can say with good conscience that European Alpine Huts (including the ones in the Dolomites) are very luxurious and provide a great refuge to tired trekkers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rooms have bunk beds and usually hold between 4 to 10 people. The largest room I have stayed in had 24 beds. My friend and I were assigned to the same room as 20 Italian men on a weekend getaway! The amount of snoring didn&#8217;t allow us much sleep that night.\u00a0Most huts also offer private rooms, but those book out far in advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The huts have running water and often offer showers (for additional cost) and electricity. The more frequented the hut, the more facilities you can expect. Some even started offering WIFI, although I am unsure how I feel about that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can expect to pay between 5 and 8 euros for a shower, which is commonly limited to only a few minutes. The most expensive one I have encountered was a 5-minute shower at Rifugio Locatelli, which cost 8 Euros.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes,, electricity to charge phones and other electronics you have brought along is only turned on at certain times of the day, so make sure to check with the refuge&#8217;s staff if that&#8217;s the case.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned before, all huts also have restaurants where you can order food and drink. I think this is brilliant and significantly lowers the volume of things you must carry in your backpack on a multiday excursion, making it much more enjoyable!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290867899\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_What_type_of_food_is_served_at_the_huts\"><\/span>9. What type of food is served at the huts?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1032.jpg\" alt=\"Seceda ridgeline from the nearby Malga Geislerarm. A malga is a backcountry restaurant, usually only serving food without providing accommodation\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seceda ridgeline from the nearby Malga Geislerarm. A Malga is a backcountry restaurant, usually only serving food without providing accommodation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After staying in over one hundred different huts in the Dolomites I concluded that the menus offered at the huts are very limited and for the most part all look the same.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can expect pasta (you are in Italy after all), usually three types: bolognese, spaghetti aglio e olio, and carbonara. If you are lucky you will also see&nbsp;gnocchi and of course, it wouldn&#8217;t be the Dolomites if polenta wasn&#8217;t on the menu!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the latter, it can be a real hit-and-miss. It can range from a soft mush to a hard loaf. For those of you who haven&#8217;t heard of it, polenta is a dish of boiled cornmeal. It is usually served with some type of meat, mushroom sauce, or grilled cheese.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve only enjoyed polenta dishes a handful of times and whenever possible I chose to avoid them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fresh vegetables aren&#8217;t usually a thing during meal times as they are difficult to store or transport without bruising and have a limited shelf life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also expect a selection of freshly baked local cakes with apple strudel, linzer torte, and chocolate cake being my favorites. The thought of having one often kept me&nbsp;walking&nbsp;on tougher days!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290868099\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_What_do_I_need_to_bring_when_staying_in_an_alpine_hut\"><\/span>10. What do I need to bring when staying in an alpine hut?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1033.jpg\" alt=\"Rifugio Torrani along the via ferrata Degli Alleghesi on Mount Civetta. A guide to staying in the mountain huts in the Italian Dolomites\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rifugio Torrani along the via ferrata Degli Alleghesi on Mount Civetta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There is&nbsp;one thing that you absolutely must bring when staying in the huts &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.eu\/s\/silk--liner--bag\/?pid=16259\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a sleeping bag liner<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Blankets (or sometimes even proper duvets) and pillows are provided in the huts, but because they are not washed after each guest, it&#8217;s mandatory to bring a liner&nbsp;ensuring you are not in direct contact with the sheets or blankets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you forget, huts sometimes offer to rent or purchase one of them, but it&#8217;s not worth it. I recommend bringing your own. I use a Sea to Summit silk liner, which fits into the palm of my hand when stowed in the bag.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the huts websites you can often see&nbsp;information about&nbsp;bringing a sleeping bag, but don&#8217;t be thrown off by this, because what they mean is&nbsp;a sleeping bag liner and it&#8217;s just an incorrect translation. In all the huts I have stayed in, there were always blankets and pillows provided and they have&nbsp;always been thermally sufficient.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have also written&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/packing-list-hut-to-hut-treks-dolomites\/\">a&nbsp;comprehensive packing list for multi-day hikes in the Dolomites<\/a>&nbsp;to ensure you don&#8217;t overpack or forget something important.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12427492499\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Is_there_potable_water_in_the_huts\"><\/span>11. Is there potable water in the huts?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1034.jpg\" alt=\"Rifugio Capanna Fassa built on the summit of Piz Boe is the second highest mountain hut in the Dolomites\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rifugio Capanna Fassa built on the summit of Piz Boe is the second-highest mountain hut in the Dolomites<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Water is a very precious resource in the Dolomites, especially in the huts. For the most part, the water running in the taps is snow melt or rainwater collected in huge nearby tanks. By September the tanks run low and some of the huts simply don&#8217;t have enough water to keep running.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve stayed in huts before where they&nbsp;asked their guests to only flush toilets after number 2 to preserve the water! Don&#8217;t worry though, this only happened twice!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often in the bathrooms, you will find signs saying &#8220;agua nonpotable&#8221; meaning the water is not potable. After having a conversation with a few hut owners and asking why the water isn&#8217;t potable I&#8217;ve received a unanimous answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because&nbsp;the water comes from&nbsp;snow melt it doesn&#8217;t contain minerals and instead of quenching your thirst, it flushes the minerals out of your body. It&#8217;s like drinking distilled water. Secondly, the owners make extra money from selling the water to you. Going back to the first argument, I can&#8217;t say I blame them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can buy mineral water bottles at the hut, but they all come in plastic and cost a small fortune. I also don&#8217;t like contributing to plastic&nbsp;pollution and choose to drink the water from the taps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each time I carried rehydration tablets with me and mixed&nbsp;them with the water,&nbsp; I never once got sick.&nbsp;More options to make sure the water won&#8217;t make you ill include sterilization pens or sterilization tablets<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-12290868499\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Can_I_stay_in_the_hut_after_the_season_ends\"><\/span>12. Can I stay in the hut after the season ends?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1035.jpg\" alt=\"The tiny winter room belonging to the now nonoperational rifugio Lorenzi in the Cristallo group \" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The tiny winter room belonging to the now nonoperational rifugio Lorenzi in the Cristallo group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you can. After the&nbsp;summer season ends and the huts close you can still overnight in the hut in the winter room (<em>Italian: locale invernale; German: winterraum<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Winter rooms are just basic rooms with separate doors. Their purpose is to provide shelter to climbers and mountaineers who venture into the backcountry in the winter season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Usually, there are just a few beds and a few blankets available, which is enough to survive&nbsp;if you become stranded in harsh conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When staying in the winter rooms you will, however, need to bring your own sleeping bag, food, and cooking equipment. Also don&#8217;t expect to find any water. You can either get it from nearby streams or lakes (providing there are any), bring enough with you, or boil some snow (if it&#8217;s available).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far I have stayed in two winter rooms. Firstly when I was tackling the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/via-ferrata-marino-bianchi\/\">via ferrata Marino Bianchi<\/a>. The second time I stayed in the winter room of the rifugio Alberto Primero after completing the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/via-ferrata-passo-santner\/\">via ferrata Passo Santner<\/a>, just after the official season&nbsp;ended and the hut closed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both times I shared the room with other hikers and there weren&#8217;t enough beds for all of us providing for a rather uncomfortable but funny night.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I experienced it only once when both the main hut and the winter room were closed. It was&nbsp;the day the summer season ended and the winter room wasn&#8217;t open yet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to the lack of facilities, no toilets, no water, and no other amenities, the winter rooms are free of charge to stay in.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope this comprehensive guide to staying in the mountain huts in the Dolomites will help you plan your holidays! If you think there is something I forgot to cover in my post, please leave&nbsp;your question in the comment section below. No comments are left unanswered!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#7bdbb54f\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Support_my_website\"><\/span>Support my website!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hi Reader! If you found any of <a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/italian-dolomites-guide\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"4917\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">my articles about the Dolomites<\/a> useful please consider using the affiliate links below (at no extra cost) when booking your holiday. Thank you<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reserve your hotel with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/index.html?aid=1188554\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/index.html?aid=1188554\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Booking.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book your rental car with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovercars.com\/italy-mainland?a_aid=inafarawayland\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.discovercars.com\/italy-mainland?a_aid=inafarawayland\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Discover Cars<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Buy your outdoor gear with <a href=\"https:\/\/backcountry.tnu8.net\/zN4aaW\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/backcountry.tnu8.net\/zN4aaW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Backcountry.com<\/a> (US readers)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With over 1000 rifugios, the hut system in the Dolomites is arguably the best in the world and I think that if you are planning a holiday here, you should plan at least&nbsp;one night at a Dolomiti hut.&nbsp; When completing my&nbsp;Alta Via&nbsp;hiking project during the summer of 2019 I met a&nbsp;considerable number of&nbsp;international backpackers who &#8230; <a title=\"12 Things You Need To Know Before Staying In A Mountain Hut In The Italian Dolomites\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/mountain-huts-in-the-dolomites-info\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 12 Things You Need To Know Before Staying In A Mountain Hut In The Italian Dolomites\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dolomites-hut-to-hut-treks","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=641"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27392,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641\/revisions\/27392"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}