Bertihütte

The Bertihütte (Italian: Rifugio Berti, full name Rifugio Antonio Berti al Popera) is a mountain hut owned by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) in the Sexten Dolomites of northern Italy. Situated at 1,950 metres above sea level at the lower end of the Popera Valley on the Creston Popera ridge, it lies within the municipality of Comelico Superiore in the Province of Belluno, Veneto. The hut is a key base for hikers and climbers exploring the Popera Dolomites, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. Built between 1960 and 1961 by the CAI Section of Padua and opened in 1962, the Bertihütte replaced the older Rifugio Olivo Sala al Popera, which was about a 30-minute walk away and 100 metres higher. The new hut was named after Antonio Berti (17 January 1882 – 8 December 1956), a physician and mountaineer who made over 100 first ascents and first ascents of routes in the eastern Dolomites. The hut was renovated in 1984. Today the Bertihütte offers 38 beds in private rooms (2 or 4 beds) and shared dormitories, all with views of the surrounding peaks. Its kitchen serves typical mountain dishes made with local ingredients, including appetisers, cold cuts, first and second courses, side dishes, and desserts, as well as hot and cold drinks and homemade flavoured grappas. The hut is open seasonally, typically from mid-June to late September; for 2026 it is scheduled to be open from 13 June to 27 September, with bookings opening in February 2026. Access to the hut is exclusively on foot, requiring about one hour of walking from the nearest parking area at the Lunelli Hut (1,568 m). It is a strategic starting point for the famous via ferrata of the Comelico area, including the Alpinisteig and the Zandonella route to the Sextner Rotwand (2,965 m), as well as numerous themed hikes of varying difficulty. The hut is a member of the CAI network and operates under the Italian alpine club tradition.

The Bertihütte was built between 1960 and 1961 by the CAI Section of Padua and opened in 1962. It replaced the Rifugio Olivo Sala al Popera, which was located about a 30-minute walk away and 100 metres higher. The Rifugio Olivo Sala had been established in 1924 as the Rifugio Popera by the same section, using a former Italian World War I military barrack. In 1930 it was renamed after the Italian sector commander General Olivo Sala. The cramped conditions at the Sala hut led the section to decide to build a new shelter. The Bertihütte, renovated in 1984, was named after the physician and mountaineer Antonio Berti (17 January 1882 – 8 December 1956). Antonio Berti played a major role in the development of the eastern Dolomites, where he made over 100 first ascents and first ascents of routes. The hut is owned by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) and is part of its network of mountain huts. It continues to operate seasonally, serving hikers and climbers in the Popera Dolomites.

• 1984

  Bertihütte renovated.

• 1962

  Bertihütte officially opened, replacing Rifugio Olivo Sala.

• 1961

  Construction of the Bertihütte completed.

• 1960

  Construction of the Bertihütte begins.

• 1930

  Rifugio Popera renamed Rifugio Olivo Sala after General Olivo Sala.

• 1924

  Rifugio Popera established by CAI Padua in a former World War I barrack.

A historic CAI mountain hut in the UNESCO Dolomites, offering authentic alpine hospitality and a strategic base for via ferrata and hiking.

• Accommodation: 38 beds in private rooms (2 or 4 beds) and shared dormitories

• Restaurant: typical mountain dishes with local products

• Beverages: hot and cold drinks, homemade flavoured grappas

1. 1Rifugio Berti 1950m - Punto d'appoggio nelle Dolomiti del Poperarifugioberti.it
2. 2Bertihütte - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Bertihütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org