Mountain huts for young hikers
Easy walks and enchanting panoramas: these are our family-friendly mountain huts
You know what’s really unique about a “rifugio” or mountain hut? It’s that you feel one step closer to the very soul of the mountains. Maybe it’s the crisp air that tickles your nostrils, maybe it’s the amazing views or maybe it’s simply the walk you took to arrive, but one thing’s for sure: the mountains are much closer here. And why not stay a night, you’ll be guaranteed a front-row seat for the greatest show there is. Timeless and breath-taking.
And how about enjoying some old mountain stories straight from the mouth of a local, and soaking in the warmth and hospitality that only a “rifugista” (hut manager) can offer. Truth be told, some mountain huts are too difficult to reach for younger climbers, so here we have selected a list of easily-accessible yet genuine mountain huts all waiting to be discovered!
Malga Kraun, Monte di Mezzocorona
The Malga Kraun mountain hut is set amidst fir and beech trees at an altitude of 1200 m asl. You can reach it by cable car from the small town of Mezzocorona (the steepest in Europe!). When you reach the top station, simply follow the “Magia del Bosco” (Magic of the Woods) trail, a walk enhanced by lovely wooden sculptures.
Rifugio Brigata Lupi di Toscana, Valle del Chiese
Despite its name, this mountain hut is situated in Trentino, on the verdant, sun-drenched Boniprati plateau. You can also reach it by car and from there go on several easy hikes that will allow you to enjoy stunning views, like that of Cima Pissola.
Rifugio Potzmauer, Val di Cembra
Lying very close to the Parco Naturale del Monte Corno (Nature Park), the Rifugio Potzmauer is an ideal destination for the whole family. After a relaxing walk in the woods, you reach a clearing where you find the mountain hut. It offers typical Trentino cuisine, an extensive green area for children to play in and a yurt (a tent used in Mongolia), where ‒ upon reservation ‒ you can also sleep.
Rifugio Malga Zugna, Vallagarina
Despite being easy to reach on foot or by car, the Malga Zugna mountain lodge is immersed in nature and the meadows that surround it offer you a relaxing panoramic view. There is also a fascinating “land art” itinerary nearby, as well as a network of trails that recreate the events of the Great War. What's more, the Civic Museum of Rovereto has built an observatory not too far away, allowing you to admire the stars from an altitude of 1,617 metres.
Rifugio Malga Campo, Alpe Cimbra
This mountain hut is situated near Luserna, a small village in Trentino where the ancient Cimbrian language is still spoken. Rifugio Malga Campo is right above the village, in a sunny, luscious green valley. Don’t be surprised if you find a lot of cyclists here because the mountain hut is a stopover for those who ride along the 100 kilometre-long trails that wind amongst the forts used during the First World War (“100 chilometri dei Forti”-Trail) ‒ a must-do for mountain bike and history lovers.
Rifugio Sores, Val di Non
The Hotel Rifugio Sores is located on the Predaia plateau, at 1,200 m a.s.l. in the gorgeous Val di Non, making it the ideal starting point for wonderful excursions accessible to everybody. Nonna Teresa prepares breakfast every day, in the perfect atmosphere for any family that wants to relax and have fun in a unique location in the heart of nature. The lodge is located beside SoresPark, an adventure park offering fun in the treetops of Trentino’s woods, in complete safety.
