A rare and dramatic view of autumn

Some of the pleasures of a mountain hut are timeless: the conversation, the sense of well-being, the profound quiet of the night. But autumn has an atmosphere all of its own, as breathtaking sunsets interrupt the early evenings, and the cool, clear air sharpens every view. This is a time of rapid change in the mountains, and there’s no better viewpoint from which to witness their many moods.

In some areas, including the Val Rendena, the Val di Fassa and the Altopiano della Paganella, the cable cars also stay open beyond the end of the summer season. This makes the huts even more accessible, and is encouraging the spread of gastronomic events. In the Val di Fassa, over three weekends from September 23 to October 8, fifteen high-altitude huts will take part in “I rifugi del gusto” a celebration of mountain hospitality, culture and cuisine that combines talks and concerts with traditional Ladin menus. Then, on October 14, Rifugio Maria on Sass Pordoi will host the Top Wine 2950 Symposium, which showcases Trentino’s fabulous wines.

There are many more huts to choose from. The massif of the Pale di San Martino is one of the most magnificent sights in the UNESCO-protected Dolomites, and this autumn the Pradidali and Treviso huts in the Val Canali, as well as the Capanna Cervino mountain hut at Passo Rolle are open. The same goes for the Vederne and Fonteghi huts nearby, at the foot of the Vette Feltrine.

In the Brenta Dolomites, some of Trentino’s most dramatic footpaths and via farratas will be accessible this autumn from the Cacciatore and Agostini mountain huts in Val d'Ambièz, as well as the Giorgio Graffer mountain hut at Grostè. Meanwhile, in the Adamello range, the three huts to target are the Lupi di Toscana on the Altopiano dei Boniprati, the Trivena in Val Breguzzo and the Val di Fumo in the remote valley of the same name. All offer access to the area’s extensive forests.

Those with an interest in history will enjoy the Lagorai range, exploring the battlefields of the First World War on themed trails. Itineraries starts from the Erterle, Carlettini, Seven Selle, Serot and Conseria mountain huts. But if it’s a really vivid display of autumn colour you’re after, you need to explore Trentino’s lower peaks and plateaux.

In the Ledro Alps, near Lake Garda, the Al Faggio, Pernici and San Pietro mountain huts are the keys that unlock some of our most beautiful woodland. You can also enjoy autumn at its most colourful by walking along the edges of the Valle dell’Adige: on the peaks of Altissimo, Marzola,  Paganella, the Val di Non, the Val di Cembra and the Altope Cimbra. Starting points for these excursions are, respectively, the Monte Baldo, Altissimo, Maranza, La Roda, Malga Kraun and Potzmauer huts, as well as Malga Campo above Luserna.

For more on autumn in Trentino’s spectacular mountain huts, visit: https://www.visittrentino.info/en/experience/autumn-special