Rifugio Coldai

A classic stop on Alta Via 1, at the foot of Civetta and just above Lago di Coldai.

Rifugio Sonino al Coldai stands at 2,132 metres at the foot of the great wall of Monte Civetta, just above the lovely Lago di Coldai — a small emerald lake dominated by the Torre di Coldai. It is a classic stage on Alta Via 1, the long-distance trek that crosses the Dolomites from north to south, and is therefore frequently visited by multi-day walkers. Built in 1905 and later renovated several times, it belongs to the CAI Venice section and bears the name of Venetian mountaineer Adolfo Sonino, to whose memory it was dedicated in 1932. The setting combines the severity of great rock faces with the gentleness of meadows and the nearby lake.

It is reached on foot climbing from the Palafavera area or from Rifugio Capanna Trieste, along trails that ascend towards the Civetta. The kitchen serves hearty traditional mountain dishes, perfect for restoring energy during the long stages of the Alta Via. With around eighty beds plus a winter room, the hut is in high demand from those walking Alta Via 1 who want to break the journey in a place of great beauty. The season runs roughly from late June to mid-to-late September.

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