RIFUGIO ALPINO PRADIDALI

If you walk up the Valle Pradidali in late spring you’ll see mountain poppies springing up in the scree and you’ll understand the reason for its name: Pradidali means “yellow meadows”. But where the tufts of grass become increasingly sparse and give way to rock, there you’ll find the refuge, gateway to the Pale di San Martino from the southern side. The towers surrounding the refuge - also of stone, built in 1896 at a height of 2,278 metres - have tested the toughest climbers in the Dolomites, those of the past and of the modern era, such as Manolo, who is at home surrounded by these walls. Before returning to the valley (or continuing to the Altopiano delle Pale), make sure you visit the little lake and take a look at Cima Canali, a rock cathedral that can only be seen from there. Duilio and Luca Boninsegna (father and son, both mountain guides) run the refuge with essential help from Piera, the refuge’s cook and the only female member of the Boninsegna family. Open From 20 June to late September On weekends in autumn Before leaving for your hike, always contact the manager to verify the actual opening of the mountain hut Walks From the refuge it’s a 2 hour 20 minute walk to Rifugio Rosetta Giovanni Pedrotti via Passo Pradidali (experienced walkers); it takes around 3 ½ hours to walk to the Rifugio Velo della Madonna on the demanding Porton and del Velo via ferratas; you can also get to the Rifugio Treviso in Val Canali via Passo delle Lede and the Minazio bivouac hut in 4 hours (experienced walkers). The Rifugio Pradidali can also be the start (or a stopover) of the spectacular Pala Ronda Trek, a circular route around the Pala di San Martino (passing the Rifugio Rosetta), which can be done in either one or two days.