Rifugio Son Forca
4.1About
Rifugio Son Forca stands at 2,235 m at Grava di Stounies on the southern slopes of Monte Cristallo, above Passo Tre Croci and Cortina d'Ampezzo. It is privately run by the Siorpaes family, headed by former national ski racer Roberto Siorpaes with his daughter Tina, and sits at the top station of the Rio Gere-Son Forca chairlift, which runs in both the summer season (roughly late June to late September) and the winter ski season on the revived Cristallo slopes. On foot the hut is about 1 hour 20 minutes from Passo Tre Croci, 1 hour 35 minutes from the Rio Gere car park, or 2 hours 20 minutes from Ospitale through Val Padeon. Note that the historic Forcella Staunies gondola above the hut, which once carried via ferratists towards Rifugio Lorenzi and the Marino Bianchi ferrata, has been closed since 2016; a replacement cable car has been approved but was not yet in service as of the 2026 Olympic season, so check locally before planning Cristallo ferratas. The hut sleeps 36 in dormitories and small rooms and serves hearty Cortina cuisine on a panoramic terrace.
Access Routes
From Passo Tre Croci
1h
Moderate
From the pass (1,805 m) on the Cortina-Misurina road, a steady track climbs the southern slopes of Monte Cristallo to the hut in about 1 hour 20 minutes.
From Rio Gere
1h
Moderate
From the Rio Gere car park and chairlift base on the Passo Tre Croci road, walk up beneath the lift line in about 1 hour 35 minutes - or ride the Rio Gere-Son Forca chairlift instead.
From Ospitale via Val Padeon
2h
Moderate
A quieter approach from Ospitale on the Cortina-Dobbiaco road, climbing through the wooded Val Padeon to the Son Forca saddle in about 2 hours 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the hut directly by phone (+39 347 6808613) or email ([email protected]). It is a private, family-run refuge managed by the Siorpaes family, so bookings are handled in-house rather than through the CAI reservation system.
It operates two seasons: summer from around 20 June to late September, and winter from around 20 December to late March for the Cristallo ski slopes, conditions permitting. Dates shift slightly each year, so confirm before you go.
Take the Rio Gere-Son Forca chairlift from the Rio Gere car park on the Passo Tre Croci road; the hut is at the top station. On foot, the walk up takes about 1 hour 20 minutes from Passo Tre Croci or 1 hour 35 minutes from Rio Gere.
Only partly. The Forcella Staunies gondola above the hut, the traditional shortcut to Rifugio Lorenzi and the Via Ferrata Marino Bianchi, has been closed since 2016. A replacement lift has been approved but was not yet running as of 2026, so reaching the high Cristallo routes currently means a long, serious ascent. Check the current situation locally.
The hut has a restaurant with terrace and indoor dining, serving mountain classics such as canederli and home-made pastries - self-service in winter, table service in summer. Accommodation is 29 bunk beds in four dormitories plus two double rooms and a triple, with three shared bathrooms with showers.
Location
46.5683, 12.1855
HutLists Score
4.1
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- private
- Season
- June – September
- Beds
- 36
- Dormitory
- 29
- Min hiking time
- 1.3h
- Nearest trailhead
- Rio Gere (Passo Tre Croci road, chairlift base)
Facilities
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +39 347 6808613
- Website
- https://rifugiosonforca.it
Activities
Featured In
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