MADDALENE

Pastures, gentle slopes, and an expanse of flowers adding colour to the meadows, especially in spring: this is the landscape in the heart of the Maddalene mountains, where the Rumo District Council recently restored the Rifugio Maddalene out of an old mountain farm. Up here - at 1,925 metres above sea level, close to the border between the German and Italian speaking regions - the wardens organise overnight stays with the chance to admire the stars and watch the sun rise; you can also find out how to make cheese, and - if the weather is bad - be enticed by the traditional stove that heats this stone and wood building. Open From mid-June to early October Before leaving for your hike, always contact the manager to verify the actual opening of the mountain hut Walks The refuge is on footpath no. 133 (the Aldo Bonacossa) that connects Passo Palade with the Valle di Rabbi across the Maddalene mountains maintaining altitude. A 2-hour walk over Passo Termen de Val (a former border crossing) takes you to Cima degli Olmi with its splendid views (difficulty EE). Another viewpoint is Monte Alto, which involves a shorter walk from the refuge on the Bonacossa path in the direction of Malga Cemiglio (30 minutes, difficulty E).