Rifugio Nuvolau
5.0About
Rifugio Nuvolau is the oldest mountain hut in the Dolomites, perched improbably at 2,575 m on the bare rock summit of Monte Nuvolau above Passo Giau. Inaugurated on 11 August 1883 as the Sachsendankhütte, funded by a bequest from Baron Richard von Meerheimb of Dresden, it was damaged in the First World War and rebuilt by the Cortina section of the Italian Alpine Club, which reopened it in 1930 and still owns it today; since 2021 it has been run by custodian Emma Menardi, the hut's first female keeper. The reward for the climb is a full 360-degree panorama over the Tofane, Cinque Torri, Croda da Lago, Pelmo, Civetta and Marmolada — one of the most photographed sunrise spots in the Alps. This is a genuinely simple summit hut: 24 beds in rustic dormitories with shared toilets and no showers, supplied only by goods lift, with a bar and restaurant serving hearty mountain fare. It opens from roughly mid-June to late September. The shortest approach climbs from Passo Giau (2,236 m) via trail 443 to Forcella Nuvolau and Rifugio Averau, then up the final rocky path — about 1.5 hours in total. Hikers on Alta Via 1 pass directly below at Forcella Nuvolau.
Access Routes
From Passo Giau
1h
Moderate
Follow trail 443 from Passo Giau (2,236 m) across panoramic slopes to Forcella Nuvolau and Rifugio Averau in about 1 hour 15 minutes, then take the final rocky summit path to the hut, another 30 minutes.
From Bai de Dones via the 5 Torri chairlift
1h
Moderate
Ride the 5 Torri chairlift from the Bai de Dones car park on the Passo Falzarego road to Rifugio Scoiattoli (2,255 m), then follow trail 439 to Forcella Nuvolau and climb the summit path — about 1 hour of walking.
From Passo Falzarego via Forcella Averau
2h
Moderate
From Passo Falzarego take trail 419 past Lago di Limedes to Forcella Averau (2,435 m), descend briefly to Rifugio Averau at Forcella Nuvolau and continue up the summit path — around 2.5 hours in total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book through the official website rifugionuvolau.it (which links to the CAI reservation system), by email at [email protected] or by phone at +39 0436 867938. The hut has only 24 beds and accepts groups of up to 8, so summer weekends sell out well in advance.
The hut operates a single summer season from roughly mid-June to late September; in 2026 bedrooms are available from 20 June to 20 September, with bar and grill service starting a few days earlier. It is closed in winter, though the summit is a popular ski-touring goal.
Start at Passo Giau (2,236 m) and follow trail 443 to Forcella Nuvolau (2,413 m), about 1 hour 15 minutes, then climb the final rocky path to the summit in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, ride the 5 Torri chairlift from Bai de Dones to Rifugio Scoiattoli and walk about 1 hour via trail 439 and Forcella Nuvolau.
Yes, for reasonably fit walkers: the trails from Passo Giau or the Scoiattoli chairlift are well marked with about 350 m of ascent, though the final stretch to the summit is rocky and exposed to weather. Sure-footed children manage it regularly; the adjacent Ra Gusela via ferrata is for equipped climbers only.
Expect an authentic, spartan summit hut: 24 beds in wooden dorms with single and bunk beds, shared toilets and no showers, since all water and supplies arrive by goods lift. The bar and restaurant serve breakfast, hot lunches and dinner, and the sunset and sunrise views are unmatched anywhere in the Dolomites.
Location
46.4952, 12.0457
HutLists Score
5.0
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- CAI CAI Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Season
- June – September
- Beds
- 24
- Dormitory
- 24
- Min hiking time
- 1.5h
- Nearest trailhead
- Passo Giau
Facilities
Wifi
Showers
Meals served
Drinking water
Contact & Booking
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +39 0436 867938
- Website
- https://rifugionuvolau.it
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