Boèhütte

Boèhütte (Italian: Rifugio Boè) is a mountain hut (Schutzhütte) situated at approximately 2,873 metres above sea level in the heart of the Sella group in the Dolomites, within the municipality of Canazei in Trentino, Italy. It is one of the highest-altitude huts in the Dolomites and lies just a few metres west of the provincial border between Trentino and South Tyrol. The hut is owned by the Società degli Alpinisti Tridentini (SAT), the largest sub-organisation of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), and has been operated by the Vaia family since 1990. The building was originally constructed in 1894 by the Bamberg section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DÖAV) and was known as the Bamberger Hütte. After being severely damaged during World War I, it was expropriated in 1921 and transferred to SAT along with 13 other DÖAV huts. It reopened as the Boèhütte in 1924 and has been expanded several times over the decades. Major renovation and extension works took place between 2018 and 2020, with the hut reopening in June 2021. In summer 2021, it became the first hut at nearly 3,000 metres in Italy to offer broadband satellite internet access. The hut serves as a bar, restaurant, and accommodation, welcoming hikers, climbers, and ski tourers. It is a key stop on the Dolomites High Route 2 (Dolomiten-Höhenweg 2) and is commonly visited in combination with the nearby Piz Boè. The most popular access route is trail 627 from the Sass Pordoi cable car station, about an hour's walk. The Vaia family, led by Lodovico Vaia, his wife, and their three daughters, has managed the hut since 1990, and the next generation is now also involved. The hut is open seasonally, typically from late June to late September, with reservations made by email.

The Boèhütte was built in 1894 by the Bamberg section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DÖAV) as a masonry building with a large terrace, and was originally named Bamberger Hütte. It served as a refuge for mountaineers exploring the Sella group. During World War I, the hut was severely damaged. In 1921, it was expropriated and, together with 13 other DÖAV huts, transferred to the Società degli Alpinisti Tridentini (SAT), the largest sub-organisation of the Club Alpino Italiano. In 1924, SAT reopened the hut under the name Boèhütte, and it was expanded several times in the following years and decades. In 1992, with financial support from the Autonomous Province of Trento, the hut was equipped with an experimental system for the treatment and biological purification of wastewater. Between 2018 and 2020, major renovation and extension works were carried out. An earlier annex that had housed the dining room was demolished and replaced by a new building (volume: 3,306 cubic metres), while the original building (1,334 cubic metres) was renovated and modernised. The high altitude and short summers prolonged the construction over this long period. After completion, the expanded and renovated Boèhütte opened in June 2021. In summer 2021, with the installation of broadband satellite internet access, the Boèhütte became the first hut at nearly 3,000 metres in Italy to have such access. Since 1990, the hut has been managed by Lodovico Vaia, his wife, and their three daughters; the grandchildren are now also involved.

• 2021

  Renovated and expanded hut reopens in June; becomes first hut at nearly 3,000 m in Italy with broadband satellite internet.

• 2018

  Major renovation and extension works begin.

• 1992

  Equipped with experimental wastewater treatment system with support from the Autonomous Province of Trento.

• 1990

  Vaia family begins managing the hut.

• 1924

  Reopened by SAT as Boèhütte.

• 1921

  Expropriated and transferred to SAT along with 13 other DÖAV huts.

• 1894

  Built by the Bamberg section of the DÖAV as Bamberger Hütte.

High-altitude alpine refuge and hospitality brand in the Dolomites, known for its historic heritage and family management.

• Bar-Ristorante

  Bar and restaurant service for visitors.

• Camere

  Overnight accommodation rooms.

1. 1Rifugio Boè official websiterifugioboe.it
2. 2Chi siamo | Rifugioboerifugioboe.it
3. 3Boèhütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
4. 4Boèhütte - Wikidatawikidata.org