Rifugio Baroni al Brunone

Rifugio Baroni al Brunone (commonly called Rifugio Brunone) is a historic alpine mountain hut in the Orobie Alps, located in the municipality of Valbondione (province of Bergamo), in the Seriana Valley, at an elevation of 2,295 metres. It sits below the Scaletta pass, in one of the most pristine areas of the Orobie, surrounded by some of the highest peaks of the range: Pizzo Redorta (3,038 m), Pizzo Scais (3,038 m) and Pizzo del Diavolo di Tenda (2,914 m). It is the oldest mountain hut in the province of Bergamo and the second highest by altitude (after Rifugio Tagliaferri). The structure is owned by the CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) of Bergamo, is usually open from June to October, and offers about 60 beds. The hut's history dates back to 1879, when the Bergamo section of the CAI decided to create the first alpine refuge in the Orobie by converting a primitive hut near the Scaletta pass (2,530 m), originally used as a shelter for workers of nearby iron mines. The refuge was called Ca' Brunona and was intended to provide a support point for alpinists attempting the ascent of Pizzo Redorta. In the following years, due to unwelcome visits by smugglers and damage from weather, the construction of a new shelter became necessary, definitively decided in 1890 after the CAI social outing to Pizzo Redorta highlighted the abandoned state of the hut. Construction of the new refuge began in 1894 in a lower position than the previous one, on a panoramic grassy terrace at 2,295 metres. Designed by engineer Luigi Albani, a simple structure with a kitchen and a large room for the night was built. This building was later enlarged and modernised, especially with works carried out in 1952 and between 1976 and 1977, which gave the refuge the appearance it still maintains today. In 1968 it was officially dedicated to the Bergamasque alpine guide Antonio Baroni. The main and most frequented access route is CAI path no. 227, which starts from Fiumenero (790 m), a hamlet of Valbondione. The route climbs the Fiumenero valley and, passing various watercourses, passes Pian di Campo and Piani dell'Aser. Then the path climbs with a series of hairpin bends until it joins the Sentiero delle Orobie (connecting to the last part of the stage from Rifugio Calvi to Rifugio Brunone), which leads shortly to the refuge. The normally indicated time is 4 hours of walking, for a total elevation gain of 1,500 metres. The refuge is an important support point on the Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali: it is the arrival of the 4th stage (starting from Rifugio Fratelli Calvi, arriving at Brunone in 5.30 hours) and the start of the 5th, which ends at Rifugio Coca in 3.30 hours of walking. From Brunone it is also possible to reach Rifugio Mambretti, in the Valtellina Orobie, passing through the Scaletta pass and descending into Val Caronno. The hut is a base for ascents such as Pizzo Redorta (3,038 m, difficulty AF - normal route; PD - canalone route), Punta Scais (3,038 m, difficulty AD - normal route Camino Baroni; AD - South Crest), Pizzo Brunone (2,724 m, EE), Cima Soliva (2,710 m, EE), Pizzo del Salto (2,665 m, EE) and Pizzo Gro (2,653 m, EE).

The history of Rifugio Baroni al Brunone dates back to 1879, when the Bergamo section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) decided to create the first alpine refuge in the Orobie by converting a primitive hut near the Scaletta pass (2,530 m), originally used as a shelter for workers of nearby iron mines. The refuge was called Ca' Brunona and was intended to provide a support point for alpinists attempting the ascent of Pizzo Redorta. In the following years, due to unwelcome visits by smugglers and damage from weather, the construction of a new shelter became necessary, definitively decided in 1890 after the CAI social outing to Pizzo Redorta highlighted the abandoned state of the hut. Construction of the new refuge began in 1894 in a lower position than the previous one, on a panoramic grassy terrace at 2,295 metres. Designed by engineer Luigi Albani, a simple structure with a kitchen and a large room for the night was built. This building was later enlarged and modernised, especially with works carried out in 1952 and between 1976 and 1977, which gave the refuge the appearance it still maintains today. In 1968 it was officially dedicated to the Bergamasque alpine guide Antonio Baroni. The hut remains owned by CAI Bergamo and is usually open from June to October, offering about 60 beds.

• 1976

  Further enlargement and modernisation works begin, lasting until 1977, giving the refuge its current appearance.

• 1968

  The refuge is officially dedicated to Bergamasque alpine guide Antonio Baroni.

• 1952

  Enlargement and modernisation works are carried out.

• 1894

  Construction of the new refuge begins at 2,295 m on a grassy terrace, designed by engineer Luigi Albani.

• 1890

  After a CAI outing to Pizzo Redorta highlights the abandoned state of the hut, the decision is made to build a new shelter.

• 1879

  CAI Bergamo converts a primitive hut near Scaletta pass into the first alpine refuge in the Orobie, called Ca' Brunona.

Historic alpine refuge and key waypoint on the Sentiero delle Orobie, owned by CAI Bergamo.

• Mountain hut accommodation (about 60 beds)

• Meals and refreshments for hikers

• Base for alpine ascents (Pizzo Redorta, Punta Scais, etc.)

1. 1Benvenutosites.google.com
2. 2Rifugio Baroni al Brunonewikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Baroni al Brunoneit.wikipedia.org