Berglhütte

The Berglhütte (Italian: Rifugio Borletti, officially Rifugio Aldo e Vanni Borletti) is a mountain hut situated at 2,188 metres above sea level in the Trafoi Valley of South Tyrol, Italy. It lies at the foot of the Ortler, the highest mountain in the Eastern Alps, within the Stelvio National Park. The hut is a key base for climbers attempting the Ortler via the Meraner Weg and other routes, as well as for ski tourers in spring. It offers 26 overnight places and is typically open from June to mid-October, with occasional spring openings for ski mountaineers. The Berglhütte has a long history dating back to 1884, when Ferdinand Arning, chairman of the Hamburg section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DÖAV), built a small self-catering hut with four to five beds. This original Arninghütte was replaced in 1897 by a larger hut designed by architect Otto Schmid, known as the Hamburger Hütte. After World War I, the hut was expropriated by the Italian state and entrusted to the Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI). Renovations in 1925 and 1956 were largely funded by the Borletti family, and in 1956 the hut was renamed Rifugio Aldo e Vanni Borletti in their honour. Since 1999, the hut has been owned by the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol and operated by the CAI Meran section. Since 2015, a parity commission including the AVS and CAI has assisted in its management. The hut is accessible from Trafoi via the pilgrimage church Heilige Drei Brunnen (1,605 m) in about 1.5 to 2 hours. It serves as a starting point for numerous high-altitude tours, including the Ortler (3,905 m), Zebrù (3,735 m), Thurwieserspitze (3,652 m), Trafoier Eiswand (3,565 m), and Großer Eiskogel (3,547 m). Nearby huts include the Payerhütte (2.5 hours) and Tabarettahütte (6 hours). The Berglhütte remains a vital hub for alpinism in the Ortler region.

The Berglhütte is located at 2,188 metres above sea level in the Trafoi Valley, at the foot of the Ortler in South Tyrol, Italy. The site was historically used for bivouacs in the ruins of a decayed shepherd's hut, as the route of the first ascensionists of the Ortler via the Hinteren Wandlen passed by. In 1884, Ferdinand Arning, chairman of the Hamburg section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DÖAV), had a simple self-catering hut with four to five beds built at his own expense. The expansion of the access path was financed by the renowned alpinist Hermine Tauscher-Geduly. This Arninghütte passed to the Hamburg section after Arning's death. The section commissioned architect Otto Schmid to replace the somewhat dilapidated structure with a larger hut, which was ceremonially opened on 17 August 1897. This Hamburger Hütte offered six beds and ten mattress places, a significant improvement. In 1912, a memorial stone for tourism pioneer Theodor Christomannos was erected above the hut; he had developed the Meraner Weg to the Ortler, supporting tourism in Trafoi and at the Berglhütte. Unlike other huts in the area, the Hamburger Hütte was not destroyed during World War I. After the war, all Alpine Club huts in South Tyrol were expropriated by the Italian state. The Berglhütte was assigned to the Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), which renovated the building several times, including in 1925 with funding from the Borletti family. From 1939, the hut fell into disrepair after many Trafoi residents emigrated due to the Option. In 1956, it was restored, again largely financed by the Borletti family. In 1956, the hut was officially renamed Rifugio Aldo e Vanni Borletti after two members of that family. Since 1999, the Berglhütte has no longer been owned by the Italian state but by the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol. Since then, it has been operated by the CAI Meran section instead of the Milan section. At the end of 2010, the CAI's concession to run the hut expired. Since 2015, the Province of South Tyrol has been supported in the management of the hut (leasing to tenants, monitoring operations, renovation measures) by a parity commission that includes the AVS and CAI alongside public authorities.

• 2015

  A parity commission including AVS and CAI begins assisting the province in hut management.

• 2010

  CAI's concession to run the hut expires at year-end.

• 1999

  Ownership transfers from the Italian state to the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol; operation shifts to CAI Meran section.

• 1956

  Restoration largely financed by the Borletti family; hut renamed Rifugio Aldo e Vanni Borletti.

• 1939

  Hut falls into disrepair after many Trafoi residents emigrate due to the Option.

• 1925

  Renovation funded by the Borletti family.

• 1912

  Memorial stone for Theodor Christomannos erected above the hut.

• 1897

  New larger Hamburger Hütte designed by Otto Schmid opens on 17 August.

• 1884

  Ferdinand Arning builds a small self-catering hut (Arninghütte) with 4–5 beds.

Historic alpine refuge and key base for Ortler climbs, owned by the Province of South Tyrol and operated by CAI Meran.

• Overnight stays (26 places)

• Meals and drinks

• Base for Ortler climbs via Meraner Weg

• Ski touring base in spring

1. 1Berglhütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Berglhütte - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Official website (domain for sale)domainname.de