VAIOLET

This is a place of legends: you only have to choose whether to be enthralled by the story of King Laurin (who, out of love for his daughter, had the Catinaccio become tinged with pink at dawn and dusk) or by the exploits of climbers on these rock faces in the 19th and 20th centuries, from Georg Winkler to Tita Piaz, who opened the era of acrobatic climbing. Whatever your choice, the Rifugio Vaiolet is a landmark for anyone susceptible to the beauty of these pale rocks or the fascination of these vertical walls. Inaugurated in the late 19th century, the refuge quickly proved to be too small and soon a larger building was added to the first. An hour uphill from Gardeccia, the refuge is the final destination for less athletic walkers and a point of departure with endless possibilities for the more ambitious. Open 15 June to 30 September Before leaving for your hike, always contact the manager to verify the actual opening of the mountain hut. Walks From Rifugio Vaiolet you can reach the Rifugio Roda di Vael (over Passo Cigolade) in 3 hours (difficulty EE). Taking Passo Principe and Passo Antermoia instead, you can get to Rifugio Antermoia in 2 ½ hours (difficulty EE). Going over Passo Principe and then Passo Molignon you can get to Rifugio Alpe di Tires in 3 ½ hours (difficulty EE). The refuge, in a strategic position in the Vajolet basin, can also serve as a base for the via ferratas and numerous climbing routes in the Catinaccio.