Rifugio Vincenzo Lancia

Rifugio Vincenzo Lancia is a mountain hut (rifugio) situated at 1,825 metres above sea level on the Alpe Pozza in the western Pasubio massif, within the municipality of Trambileno in Trentino, Italy. It is owned and operated by the Rovereto section of the Società degli Alpinisti Tridentini (SAT), the Trentino branch of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI). The hut stands on the remains of an Austro-Hungarian military structure from the First World War and serves as a key base for hikers exploring the historic Pasubio battlefields and surrounding peaks such as Col Santo, Monte Testo, and Monte Corno Battisti. The European long-distance footpath E5 passes directly by the hut. The rifugio offers 50 beds, a restaurant, and a bar, with an additional 4-place winter bivouac. Its kitchen is known for traditional Trentino dishes and offers gluten-free options in collaboration with AIC (Associazione Italiana Celiachia). The hut is typically open from late May to early October for the summer season. The origins of the hut date to the 1920s, when a small group of young SAT members from Rovereto discovered the Col Santo area for skiing and used a simple alpine pasture building as a base. In 1931 the Rovereto section first considered building a proper rifugio at Alpe di Pozza. After the death of Vincenzo Lancia in 1937, the project was revived and the new hut was named in honour of the Turin automobile manufacturer and racing driver, with support from the Lancia family. The land was granted by the municipality of Vallarsa on 20 November 1937, and construction began in spring 1938 following a design by architect Giovanni Tiella. The foundation stone was laid on 17 July 1938, and work was completed by late October 1939. The official inauguration was delayed by the outbreak of war and finally took place on 20 October 1940. The hut underwent renovation in several phases between 1989 and 2002. Today the Rifugio Vincenzo Lancia is a well-known destination for hikers and history enthusiasts, offering access to numerous trails, World War I tunnels and fortifications, and panoramic views of the Pasubio group. It remains a property of the SAT and is part of the network of CAI mountain huts.

The Rifugio Vincenzo Lancia has its roots in the 1920s, when a small group of young enthusiasts from Rovereto, members of the SAT, discovered the area around Col Santo as a skiing destination. They initially used an alpine pasture building as a spartan ski hut. In 1931, the idea of building a proper rifugio at Alpe di Pozza was first discussed within the Rovereto section of the SAT. The project gained momentum after the death of Vincenzo Lancia in 1937, when it was decided to name the new hut after the Turin automobile manufacturer and racing driver. The Lancia family supported the proposal, providing a decisive financial boost. On 20 November 1937, the municipality of Vallarsa granted the building land to the Rovereto section, and in spring 1938 the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) secured financial support for the construction. Work began immediately, starting with the access road, a former Austrian military road, which was prepared to transport building materials to the site. The hut was designed by architect Giovanni Tiella, and the foundation stone was laid on 17 July 1938. Construction was completed by the end of October 1939. However, a sudden onset of winter prevented the planned official inauguration, which was further delayed by Italy's entry into the war on 10 June 1940. The official opening finally took place on 20 October 1940. Between 1989 and 2002, the hut was renovated in several phases. Today, it continues to operate as a mountain hut under the ownership of the SAT, serving hikers and visitors to the Pasubio area. It is part of the network of CAI huts and is a key stop on the European long-distance footpath E5.

• 2002

  Renovation works completed.

• 1989

  Start of renovation works in several phases.

• 1940

  20 October: official inauguration after delays due to winter and Italy's entry into war.

• 1939

  End of October: construction completed.

• 1938

  Spring: CAI secures financial support; construction begins. 17 July: foundation stone laid.

• 1937

  Vincenzo Lancia dies; project revived and hut named in his honour with Lancia family support.

• 1937

  On 20 November, municipality of Vallarsa grants building land to SAT Rovereto section.

• 1931

  First idea to build a rifugio at Alpe di Pozza discussed within SAT Rovereto section.

• 1920

  Area around Col Santo discovered as a skiing destination by young SAT members from Rovereto.

Historic alpine hut and hiking base in the Pasubio massif, owned by SAT and integrated into the CAI network.

• Mountain hut accommodation (50 beds)

• Restaurant and bar

• Winter bivouac (4 places)

• Gluten-free menu in collaboration with AIC

1. 1Rifugio Vincenzo Lancia | Monte Pasubio "Alpe Pozza" Trambilenorifugiolancia.it
2. 2Rifugio Vincenzo Lancia - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Vincenzo Lancia - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org