The Giorgio Dal Piaz hut, located in the Belluno Dolomites National Park on the Vette Feltrine, is situated along Alta Via 2 of the Dolomites; for those who take it from Feltre, it is the first opportunity to sleep at altitude and enjoy the scent of the mountains, while for those who take it in the opposite direction, it is the starting point for the last stage, which leads to Pedavena-Feltre at Italy’s largest brewery. It is located near the Busa delle Vette, a large glacial cirque also known as the “Busa delle Meraviglie” (Busa of Wonders) due to the presence of some botanical rarities such as the Alisso dell’Obir and the Speronella alpina. The same mountain group in which the refuge is located, the Vette Feltrine, has a great wealth of flower species whose peak blooming normally occurs between June and July and gives rise to a wonderful spectacle. In recent years, the refuge has also become popular for the speciality of the manager Mirco: the ‘focaccia’! It is made with organic yeast that has been left to rise for at least 48 hours and a mixture of stone-ground flours; it is then garnished with mozzarella, tomato, raw-cut vegetables and bacon. Alternatively, several other dishes are available, mostly prepared using local produce.

How to get there:

There are 10 uphill routes leading to the refuge. The classic and most used route starts from the Croce d’Aune Pass and follows the CAI 801 path (Alta Via 2 delle Dolomiti) with a development of about 5 km and an elevation gain of 960 m; the route of this itinerary is almost entirely south-facing (be careful during the hottest hours of the summer season) and does not present technical difficulties. From the same starting point, it is also possible to go up by mountain bike along the 11 km old military mule track. Lovers of wilder and more difficult itineraries will be spoilt for choice: the hut can be reached from the CAI trails of Val di Lamen, from Valle di San Martino through the glacial cirques of Busa delle Vette or Busa di Pietena, along the Alta Via 2 delle Dolomiti from the Boz hut through the evocative Piazza del Diavolo, or from the village of Aune or from Primiero. Depending on weather conditions and snow cover, the refuge can sometimes be reached in winter and when snow is present (in this case, always check the updates on the status of the path via the Facebook page of the refuge).

Main excursions:

Once you have reached the Dal Piaz refuge, for those who obviously feel up to it, you can take several more or less long and more or less difficult routes. From Monte Pavione to Cima 12 to the crossing to Rifugio Boz. Many of the routes allow you to observe, from above, the famous Busa delle Vette, well known for its particular flora, considered unique in the world, and for the typicality of the territory. There are numerous hollows formed by the effects of the last glaciation and karst phenomena that followed one another. So once you get to the Dal Piaz refuge, you can say that it’s not over there! Everyone can follow the most suitable route according to their own abilities and curiosity. Precisely because of the many possibilities, it often happens that the hut is considered a starting point rather than an arrival point!

The main excursions that can be undertaken from the refuge are:

Monte Pavione (2335 m, the highest peak of the Vette Feltrine, 500 m difference in height and about 90 minutes);
Traversata delle Vette Feltrine up to the Boz refuge (about 7 hours);
Col Cesta (a hundred metres above the refuge, 20 minutes);
Busa delle Vette (about 15 minutes from the refuge);
Passo di Pietena (45-60 minutes);
Busa di Monsampian (flat, about 4 km and 50 minutes).