Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut hike

The rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut on the summit of Lagazuoi is the highest moutain hut in Cortina d'Ampezzo. This picturesquely situated mountain hut in the heart of the Dolomites can be reached not only by cable car, but also from the Falzarego pass, from the Valparola pass or on the path described here via the lago di Lagazuoi lake.

Route description Lagazuoi mountain hut

The somewhat strenuous but extremely rewarding hike to the Lagazuoi mountain hut begins at the spacious car park at Sciaré just before the ascent to the Valparola pass (Passo Valparola).

Here you first follow the easy hiking trail no. 11 until trail no. 20 branches off near the Capanna Alpina mountain hut. The path, which is almost level at the beginning, finally leads to a rather steep ascent over slopes covered with mountain pines and flowers in the direction of the rifugio Scotoni mountain hut.

After a total of about an hour you reach this cozy mountain hut surrounded by massive rock walls at 2,040 meters above sea level. The small wooden chapel near it was built in memory of the many soldiers who lost their lives in the first world war.

After the rifugio Scotoni mountain hut, continue along hiking trail no. 20, which becomes increasingly narrower and steeper as it winds its way through a fairly steep gorge, on the stony slopes of which delicate alpine flowers such as the Rhododendron, the Edelweiss (Leontopodium), the alpine poppy and the blue-green rockfoils flourish.

Finally, on the left side of the trail, hiking trail no. 20B branches off and it is worth making a detour to the nearby lago di Lagazuoi lake.

After a rest at the cosy lake, surrounded by mountain pines, high rock walls and boulders, you return to trail no. 20 in the direction of the rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut, which can already be seen in the distance.

In a leisurely but steady ascent you now walk up through the karst landscape interspersed with grass and alpine flowers to the forcella Lagazuoi at 2,573 m above sea level.

Once at the top, follow the now quite steep hiking trail no. 401, which climbs the 200 meters or so to the rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut in numerous switchbacks. On the way you will pass an officer's barracks and several guard posts of the Kaiserjäger from the first world war.

Finally, you reach the inviting Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut, which, in addition to culinary delights, offers a panoramic terrace and a breathtaking view of the southern Dolomites. In particular, the Sella massif, the Marmolada, the monte Civetta and the monte Pelmo seem close enough to touch.

The way back from the rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut is the same as the way there. But before that you should hike up to the summit cross of the Lagaccio piccolo, which you reach in about ten minutes.

Indicated ascent time rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut

Punt de Sciaré - Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut: 3:30 h

Notes on the hike rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut

Alternatively, you can start the hike at the car park at the Capanna Alpina mountain hut restaurant, for which a fee is charged. This will save you about 30 minutes.

As an alternative to the descent, you could take the cable car down to the Falzarego Pass, from where you can return to the starting point by bus.

Detail rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut

During the first world war, the Lagazuoi was not only the scene of a cruel war of position; a fierce competition between scientists also broke out up here. Both the Italian and the Austria-Hungarian armies had sent geologists to explore the area and plan the best (strategically) positions and fortifications.

Infos Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut hike

• Duration:07:00 h
• Length:16.2 km
• Height gain:1100 m

• Min. elevation:1655 m
• Max. elevation:2746 m