Juac-Hütte

The Juac-Hütte (also known as Juac Refuge, Rifugio Juac, or Utia de Juac) is a private mountain hut located at 1,903 metres above sea level on the Juac alpine meadow in the Dolomites, above Selva di Val Gardena in South Tyrol, Italy. Situated at the western side of the Stevia massif within the Puez group and adjacent to the Puez-Odle Nature Park, it serves as a popular base for hikers, climbers, and skiers in both summer and winter. The hut is owned and operated by the Comploi family, who have deep roots in the area dating back to the early 19th century. The current structure, opened in 2003, replaced the original hut built in 1966 by Battista Comploi da Tieja. The refuge offers 16-bed and 4-bed rooms, a panoramic terrace, and a lawn for sunbathing, along with freshly prepared South Tyrolean cuisine. It is an ideal starting point for numerous outdoor activities, including hikes to the Stevia Hut, climbs of the Juac Tower and Firenze Tower, and direct access to the famous Sellaronda ski circuit via the Gardena Ronda Express funicular. The hut is typically open from mid-June to mid-October and from Christmas to the end of March.

The history of the Juac-Hütte is deeply intertwined with the Comploi family. Around 1800, the Juac alpine meadow was owned by the da Bernon family from Santa Cristina in Val Gardena. It was later acquired by Matthias Comploi da Tublà (born 1834) or possibly by Sebastian Comploi da Tublà (born 1795), ancestors of the current owners. The meadow, now known as 'Prà da Tieja', passed down through generations. In 1966, Battista Comploi da Tieja (born 1927) built the first Juac Hut on the site. The family spent their first summer there in 1967, keeping cows for milk, butter, and cheese. Battista's wife, Maria Grünstelder (born 1930), began selling milk and drinks to tourists, gradually expanding to offer food. In 1970, Battista installed a water pipe by hand from a source 300 metres away in the forest. In 1971, he built a ski lift that ended at the hut, operating until the winter of 1991 when the hut closed. The ski lift was dismantled in 2011. On 6 October 1995, the hut and 8-hectare meadow were transferred to the current owner through a deed of gift. In 1998, a 685-metre sewer line was built, the hut was partially renovated, and electricity was installed for the first time on 29 June. On 1 July 1998, the hut began operating as a summer refuge. In summer 2002, construction of a new building began; the old hut was demolished that year, and the new structure was inaugurated in 2003. The Juac-Hütte continues to be run by the Comploi family, with Franz Comploi serving as host and mountain guide.

• 2011

  Ski lift dismantled.

• 2003

  New Juac-Hütte inaugurated.

• 2002

  Old hut demolished; construction of new building began.

• 1998

  Sewer line built, partial renovation, electricity installed on 29 June; summer refuge operation began on 1 July.

• 1995

  Hut and 8-hectare meadow transferred via deed of gift on 6 October.

• 1971

  Ski lift built, ending at the hut; operated until winter 1991.

• 1970

  Water pipe installed by hand from a source 300 m away.

• 1967

  Family spent first summer at the hut; cows kept for dairy production.

• 1966

  First Juac Hut built by Battista Comploi da Tieja.

Authentic, family-run mountain refuge in the Dolomites, offering year-round hospitality and outdoor activities.

• Overnight stays

  16-bed and 4-bed rooms available year-round.

• South Tyrolean cuisine

  Freshly prepared local dishes served in the hut.

• Hiking and climbing base

  Starting point for hikes to Stevia Hut, climbs of Juac Tower and Firenze Tower.

• Ski access

  Direct access to Sellaronda circuit via Gardena Ronda Express funicular.

1. 1Holiday in a hut in the Dolomites - Juac Refuge in Val Gardenajuac.it
2. 2A mountain hut with decades of family historyjuac.it
3. 3Juac-Hütte - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Juac-Hütte - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org