Rifugio Pialeral

Rifugio Pialeral, also known as Rifugio Antonietta, is a privately owned mountain hut located on the northern Grigna (Grignone) in the municipality of Pasturo, Province of Lecco, Lombardy, Italy. Situated at an elevation of 1,400 metres in the locality of Pialeral, it serves as a key waypoint for hikers ascending to the summit of the Grignone and as a base for numerous trekking routes in the area. The hut is currently managed by Dario, who took over operations with his mother Antonietta after the original structure was destroyed by an avalanche in 1986. The current hut was named in honour of Antonietta, the founder and mother of the current manager. The history of the refuge dates back to the early 20th century. It was inaugurated in the 1910s under the name Capanna Pialeral, taking its name from the surrounding locality. The original building remained intact until 1944, when it was destroyed by Nazi-fascist forces during World War II. It was subsequently rebuilt and dedicated to Mario Tedeschi, a benefactor and promoter of popular mountaineering. In the winter of 1986, a large avalanche swept down from the northern Grigna and completely destroyed the building; its remains are still visible nearby. The following week, the current manager and his mother took over a small house slightly further down the valley, which they named Antonietta and which is the present Rifugio Pialeral. Further improvements were made between 2000 and 2010 with assistance from the municipality of Pasturo. The hut is open for lunch every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the year, and daily from July to the first week of September. It is a popular stop for hikers and mountain bikers, with recommended access routes from Pasturo, Colle di Balisio, and Piani Resinelli. The refuge offers traditional mountain cuisine, including its signature polenta oncia, and provides overnight accommodation in half-board, requiring email reservation. It is a common intermediate destination for those climbing to the Grignone and serves as a starting point for excursions to Rifugio Brioschi, the Chiesetta di San Calimero, and Piani Resinelli.

The Rifugio Pialeral was inaugurated in the 1910s under the name Capanna Pialeral, taking its name from the locality of Pialeral on the northern Grigna. The original building remained intact until 1944, when, like many other mountain huts, it was destroyed by Nazi-fascist forces during World War II. It was subsequently rebuilt and dedicated to Mario Tedeschi, an alpinist, benefactor, and promoter of popular mountaineering. The old Rifugio Tedeschi belonged to the CAI-SEM (Italian Alpine Club - Sede Escursionisti Milanesi). In the winter of 1986, a large avalanche broke off from the northern Grigna and completely destroyed the entire building; its remains are still visible in the vicinity. The week after the avalanche, the current manager, Dario, together with his mother Antonietta, took over a small house slightly further down the valley. They named it Antonietta in honour of the mother, and this became the current Rifugio Pialeral. Subsequent improvements were made between 2000 and 2010 with the help of the municipality of Pasturo. The hut is situated at 1,400 metres above sea level in the locality of Pialeral, within the municipality of Pasturo, Province of Lecco. It is privately owned. The refuge serves as a key intermediate point for the ascent to the Grignone (northern Grigna) and provides support to the numerous hikers who attempt the climb each day. It is open for lunch every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the year, and daily from July to the first week of September. The hut offers traditional mountain cuisine, including its signature polenta oncia, and provides half-board overnight accommodation, which requires email reservation. Access is possible from Pasturo (1h 30min, +800m), from Colle di Balisio (1h 20min, +700m), and from Pian dei Resinelli (2h 20min, -300/+350m). The refuge is also a starting point for ascents to Rifugio Brioschi via the winter or summer routes, and for traverses to Piani Resinelli via the Traversata Bassa.

• 2000

  Improvements made with assistance from the municipality of Pasturo (until 2010).

• 1986

  Destroyed by an avalanche; current hut established nearby and named Antonietta.

• 1945

  Rebuilt and dedicated to Mario Tedeschi.

• 1944

  Destroyed by Nazi-fascist forces during World War II.

• 1910

  Inaugurated as Capanna Pialeral.

A historic, family-run mountain hut offering traditional cuisine and accommodation to hikers and climbers on the northern Grigna.

• Polenta oncia

  Signature dish of the hut.

• Half-board accommodation

  Overnight stay with meals, requiring email reservation.

1. 1rifugioantonietta.it - Temperifugioantonietta.it
2. 2Rifugio Pialeral - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Pialeral - Wikipediait.wikipedia.org