Gardeccia refuge

Rifugio Gardeccia is a privately owned mountain hut (rifugio) in the Catinaccio group of the Dolomites, in the municipality of San Giovanni di Fassa (Trentino), Val di Fassa, at an elevation of 1,949 metres. It has belonged to the Desilvestro family since it opened and is one of the classic hospitality landmarks of the Catinaccio/Rosengarten massif. The hut was built in 1902 by Giuseppe Desilvestro, known locally as "Bepo de Medil", who ran it with his wife Giulia until the mid-1950s. Management then passed to their youngest son Doro, who with his wife Maria continued the family tradition with the help of their six children. Over the decades the building was repeatedly enlarged and renovated. After Doro, the refuge was run by the brothers Marco and Mario; since autumn 2024 Mario has carried on the family tradition together with his children Simone and Giuseppe (known as Bepo). Gardeccia operates both in summer (from early June to early October) and in winter, although in winter it offers only bar and restaurant service rather than overnight accommodation. It has a capacity of 43 beds in 20 rooms, all provided with bed linen and duvets. The official website lists bar and restaurant opening hours of 9:00 to 17:00 from 17 December to 29 March 2027, and presents the hut as a place where nature, adventure and tradition meet in the heart of the Dolomites, with family management, welcoming rooms, relaxation at altitude and authentic local flavours. The hut is a popular hiking destination. It can be reached from Pera di Fassa (1,320 m) via trail 546, from Monzon (1,510 m) via trail 546, from Rifugio Ciampedie (1,998 m) via trail 540, from Rifugio Negritella (1,986 m) via trail 540, from Rifugio Vajolet (2,243 m) and Rifugio Preuss (2,244 m) via trail 546, and from higher passes such as Passo delle Scalette (2,348 m), Passo delle Cigolade (2,579 m) and Passo delle Coronelle (2,630 m). Between Rifugio Ciampedie and Rifugio Gardeccia runs the characteristic Sentiero delle Leggende (Path of Legends), a walk suited to families with children and older visitors, which explains the legends of King Laurin and the Catinaccio group through signposted stages. Gardeccia has also entered cycling history: it has twice been a stage finish of the Giro d'Italia. Today it remains a family-run alpine hospitality business combining accommodation, dining and outdoor recreation in one of the most celebrated landscapes of the Dolomites.

Rifugio Gardeccia was built in 1902 by Giuseppe Desilvestro, known in the area as "Bepo de Medil". From its opening it has always belonged to the Desilvestro family, making it a rare example of uninterrupted family ownership in the Dolomites. Bepo ran the hut together with his wife Giulia until the mid-1950s, when management passed to their youngest son Doro. Doro and his wife Maria carried the business forward with the help of their six children, and over the years the refuge was repeatedly enlarged and renovated to meet the growing demands of alpine tourism. After Doro, the refuge was managed by the brothers Marco and Mario. From autumn 2024, Mario has continued the family tradition together with his children Simone and Giuseppe, known as Bepo. This continuity across more than a century has shaped the hut's identity as a family-run, welcoming place rather than a large commercial hotel. Gardeccia's location at 1,949 metres in the Catinaccio group, above the Val di Fassa, has made it a natural goal for walkers. It is linked by marked trails to Pera di Fassa, Monzon, Rifugio Ciampedie, Rifugio Negritella, Rifugio Vajolet, Rifugio Preuss and several high passes. The Sentiero delle Leggende between Ciampedie and Gardeccia, which recounts the legends of King Laurin and the Catinaccio, has become a signature family excursion. The hut has also twice served as a stage finish of the Giro d'Italia, bringing it wider recognition beyond hiking circles. Operationally, the refuge is open in summer from early June to early October and also in winter, though in winter it provides only bar and restaurant service and no overnight accommodation. It offers 43 beds in 20 rooms, all with bed linen and duvets. The official website presents the hut under the slogan of nature, adventure and tradition meeting in the heart of the Dolomites, and lists bar and restaurant hours of 9:00 to 17:00 from 17 December to 29 March 2027.

• 2024

  From autumn 2024, Mario Desilvestro continues the family tradition with children Simone and Giuseppe (Bepo).

• 1950

  Management passes from Giuseppe and Giulia to their youngest son Doro around the mid-1950s.

• 1902

  Rifugio Gardeccia built by Giuseppe Desilvestro ("Bepo de Medil").

Family-run alpine mountain hut offering authentic hospitality, dining and outdoor experiences in the heart of the Dolomites.

• Mountain hut accommodation

  43 beds in 20 rooms, all with bed linen and duvets.

• Bar and restaurant

  Open 9:00–17:00 from 17 December to 29 March 2027 according to the official website; winter service is dining only, without overnight accommodation.

• Sentiero delle Leggende access

  The Path of Legends between Rifugio Ciampedie and Rifugio Gardeccia explains the legends of King Laurin and the Catinaccio group.

1. 1Rifugio Gardeccia official websitegardeccia.it
2. 2Gardeccia refuge – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Gardeccia – Wikipedia (Italian)it.wikipedia.org