Rifugio Al Telegrafo

Rifugio Al Telegrafo, also known as Rifugio Telegrafo or Rifugio Gaetano Barana al Telegrafo, is a historic alpine mountain hut (rifugio) on Monte Baldo in the Province of Verona, Veneto, Italy. It is owned and operated by the Verona section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI). At 2,147 metres above sea level, it is the highest hut on Monte Baldo, located on the southern flank of Punta Telegrafo, about 50 metres below the summit, beside a small church dedicated to Saint Rose of Lima. The hut typically opens from early June to late September and offers 47 beds plus a winter room with 6 beds. It provides simple mountain restaurant service with traditional dishes enriched by local products. The name "Telegrafo" derives from Cima Telegrafo, where Napoleon's army installed an optical telegraph for long-distance communication. The hut is accessible only on foot via numerous trails from various sides of Monte Baldo. In 2025, marking 150 years since its founding, the CAI Verona decided to rename it after botanists Francesco Calzolari and Giovanni Pona, as it was at its historic inauguration on 26 September 1897, after a period of about 50 years honouring the family of Gaetano Barana, who supported its renovation in the 1960s. The hut reopened on 17 May 2026 and will remain open daily until 18 October 2026.

The first plans to build a hut at Telegrafo date back to 1891. After the Verona section of the CAI raised the necessary funds and the municipality of Castelletto di Brenzone provided the building land, the first spade was turned in July 1897. The hut was inaugurated on 26 September 1897 and dedicated to the botanists Francesco Calzolari and Giovanni Pona, pioneers in the study of Monte Baldo's flora. The proximity to Verona, with a railway line to Caprino Veronese existing since 1889, led to rapidly increasing visitor numbers, so the hut soon became too small and had to be expanded for the first time in 1907. A further expansion followed in 1912. During World War I it served as accommodation for the Italian army. In 1926 the hut had to be extensively restored, during which it was expanded for the third time, and the small church Santa Rosa, built next to it in 1901, was reconsecrated. After World War II, the hut was reopened after the worst damage was repaired, including a roof torn off by a storm. In 1966 the ageing hut was completely rebuilt and renamed after Gaetano Barana, whose son donated a considerable sum for the reconstruction. For its centenary in 1997, further major works took place, including the construction of a new material cable car. In 2025, marking 150 years since its founding, the CAI Verona decided to rename it after botanists Francesco Calzolari and Giovanni Pona, as it was at its historic inauguration on 26 September 1897, after a period of about 50 years honouring the family of Gaetano Barana, who supported its renovation in the 1960s. The hut reopened on 17 May 2026 and will remain open daily until 18 October 2026.

• 2026

  Reopens on 17 May and remains open daily until 18 October.

• 2025

  150th anniversary; CAI Verona decides to rename it after Francesco Calzolari and Giovanni Pona.

• 1997

  Centenary; further major works including new material cable car.

• 1966

  Hut completely rebuilt and renamed after Gaetano Barana.

• 1926

  Extensive restoration and third expansion; church reconsecrated.

• 1912

  Further expansion.

• 1907

  First expansion due to increasing visitor numbers.

• 1901

  Small church Santa Rosa built next to the hut.

• 1897

  First spade turned in July; hut inaugurated on 26 September, dedicated to Francesco Calzolari and Giovanni Pona.

• 1891

  First plans to build a hut at Telegrafo.

Historic alpine hut and summer destination for hikers on Monte Baldo, offering simple mountain hospitality.

• Mountain hut accommodation

  47 beds plus a winter room with 6 beds.

• Restaurant service

  Simple mountain cuisine with traditional dishes and local products.

1. 1Rifugio Telegrafo - Monte Baldoequipenatura.it
2. 2Rifugio Al Telegrafowikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Telegrafode.wikipedia.org