Lombardy is a true paradise for mountain lovers and hikers. Lombardy's alpine refuges offer oases of tranquility and a perfect base for exploring the peaks, lakes, and spectacular vistas, but also for staying overnight while admiring the stars.
With today's article, we will guide you through our 10 favorite mountain huts in Lombardy, walking on very different environments, from the Pre-Alps to Alpine lakes, ending on the highest peaks surrounded by glaciers!
Let's get going!
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1. Laghi Gemelli Refuge in the Brembana Valley.
Let's start in the Brembana Valley. The first refuge we propose is the Laghi Gemelli refuge, located at 1,968 meters above sea level in the Orobic Pre-Alps. The location "Laghi Gemelli," as well as the refuge, takes its name from the original lakes of the same name, now incorporated into one large artificial lake.
To reach the refuge we suggest you start from Roncobello at the locality of Mezzeno (toll road) where there is a parking lot. From here path 215, in about 2 hours, climbs through woods and meadows to the fork that gives the first sublime view of the lake. Don't miss a stop at the refuge where you can order typical Val Brembana dishes such as casoncelli, foiade with mushrooms, pasta with strachitunt or taleggio cheese, fresh pasta with game ragout, and soups.
2. Nicola Refuge
We now move to an unspoiled corner of Lombardy, the Piani di Artavaggio.
Reachable by cable car from Moggio, the Piani di Artavaggio are the starting point of beautiful hikes such as the one, easy and suitable for everyone, that leads to the Rifugio Nicola, at 1,900 meters, famous for its pyramidal architecture, inspired by the adjacent mountain, the Sodadura.
3. Valmalza Refuge
Rifugio Valmalza, in the province of Brescia in Alta Val Camonica, is located at an altitude of 1,998 meters in Valle delle Messi in the municipality of Ponte di Legno.
Leave your car in the picnic area at Sant'Apollonia and follow a path through an enchanting valley arriving at the refuge with tables overlooking a beautiful panorama. At the refuge enjoy traditional cuisine. Mention the excellent pizzocheri, craft beer, as well as the cheese board.
4. Rifugio Mello
Among the easy-to-reach shelters in Lombardy we recommend the Mello refuge, located in Val di Mello at 1,092 meters.
Access by car to the valley is prohibited. The only way to reach Val di Mello is to park your car in San Martino and continue on foot (about 45 minutes to get to the refuge), or use the shuttle bus service that allows you to reach the end of the carriage road that enters the nature reserve (15-minute walk to the refuge).
From the parking lot in San Martino just take a gentle walk uphill where half of the route is made on cobblestones suitable for everyone. It is very nice because in addition to skirting the stream you have a beautiful view of the mountains. Once at the refuge, stop to taste the traditional cuisine with a wide selection of desserts all homemade and ice cream with local chestnuts with locally produced honey.
5. Quinto Alpini Refuge
In the heart of the Stelvio National Park, at 2,877 meters (8,877 feet), among the peaks of the Ortles-Cevedale group (Bormio, Alta Valtellina), Rifugio Quinto Alpini is situated on a rocky outcrop that looks toward the Bernina group. It is reached from the Niblogo locality by a tough 4-hour, 30-minute hike and 1,300 meters of elevation gain.
This refuge, among the highest in Lombardy, allows for an incredible experience, isolated from the world and in the midst of nature among breathtaking views and glaciers.
6. Menaggio Refuge
In the Lombard Pre-Alps, the Menaggio Refuge provides a stunning view of Lake Como from its 1,400-meter height.
The starting point of the ascent to Rifugio Menaggio is in Plesio. When you arrive at the first fork in the road, you must decide whether to take the high, scenic and longer trail or the low, still in the woods and steeper trail that winds along the forest road. At the hut, with its simple and traditional charm, you can taste typical local products, including cheeses, cold cuts and meat, and excellent local wines.
Don't forget your camera!
7. Azzoni Refuge
Among the Pre-Alps of the Imagna Valley, here is Rifugio Azzoni, 1,785 meters, one of Lombardy's most famous refuges, known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious food.
To reach it, you can start from Brumano - Imagna Valley - and follow a path through the woods to the refuge. Awaiting you here is a breathtaking panorama that sweeps over the entire western Alps, the Apennines in the distance, and also the city of Lecco with the pre-Alpine lakes of Como, Annone and Upper Bergamo.
8. Pizzini Refuge
Among the highest-altitude refuges is Rifugio Pizzini at 2,705 meters. This refuge stands on a grassy outcrop in a beautiful glacial cirque. You're sure to be amazed by the views towards the Gran Zebrù massif, the Cevedale Glacier and the Pizzo Tresero pyramid.
The refuge can be reached by a splendid and long panoramic walk, but it can also prove to be the starting point for reaching other destinations, such as the Casati refuge from which to admire the perennial snows that extend to the summit of Mount Cevedale.
9. Shaambalah Shelter
We now move to Valsassina, to Alpe Giumello. This fascinating refuge is located at 1,550 meters above sea level and can be reached directly by car (40 km from Lecco) or on foot in about 2 hours of walking and 550 meters of elevation gain from Casargo. The name of the refuge comes from the managers' passion for Tibet. In fact, all the accounts of their travels in Tibet are on display and can be visited in a small room in the refuge.
Particularly worth tasting are the "dishes of memory," recipes that hark back to the area's past, simple but of great value. They are almost all dishes with vegetables (meat at the time was a luxury that few could afford) made with poor but genuine products.
From the refuge splendid view of Lake Como from above.
10. Brioschi Refuge
We finish with the Brioschi refuge, at 2,410 meters above sea level, near the summit of the Northern Grigna, an exceptional vantage point over the Alps and most of the mountains of Lombardy.
You can reach the refuge from Cainallo with a 3-hour hike and 1,000 meters of elevation gain. After the strenuous climb you will be warmly welcomed by the managers of the Brioschi refuge within an environment where a friendly, family atmosphere reigns, as warm as that of true mountain refuges.
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