It is situated on the meadows of Pala del Bèco, just below the summit of Col Negro, in a beautiful panoramic position, in fact it allows you to range from Marmarole to Antelao, to the Friulian Dolomites beyond the artificial lake of Centro Cadore, with Duranno, Monfalconi, Cridola, the Carnic Alps with Bivera and Brentoni.
It is an ideal point of support along the Alta via delle Dolomiti n. 5 and for other pleasant excursions and ascents. The cuisine is simple, but well cared for and genuine. On request we can transport your luggage by cable car.
How to get there:
IN SUMMER
FROM CALALZO DI CADORE
At the crossroad Stazione or at the crossroad Marmarole you have to take for the center of the town of Calalzo. When you reach the square, turn left at the end towards Val d'Oten/Praciadelan and continue for about 2 km until you reach the church of the Beata Vergine del Caravaggio.
After the bridge there is a junction where you must decide whether to climb the path CAI n. 261 or path CAI n. 260.
PATH CAI NUMBER 261
Because of the Vaia storm the road of Val Vedessana is damaged and consequently the transit is forbidden. You have to park near the church of Caravaggio and walk on the right after the bridge: it takes about 2,8 km/30 minutes to reach the locality La Stua.
From here starts the path that is a comfortable sylvan-pastoral road for the first 30 minutes up to the Costapiana barns and then continues for another 45 minutes up to the locality La Serra (where there is a capital and a plate that remembers the passage of John Paul II).
Subsequently the path becomes a mule track that maintaining a regular and not difficult slope in about 45 minutes leads to the Chiggiato shelter
In short, this is the most comfortable way to reach the refuge in about 2.5/3 hours.
The path unravels mainly in the woods ensuring even in the hottest days a good shade. In the last half hour of ascent, however, it offers remarkable views of the central Marmarole and the mountains of Oltrepiave.
PATH CAI NUMBER 260
At the bridge you have to turn left and continue for about 3 km on an asphalted road until the large parking lot of the locality Praciadelan (where there is the restaurant-pizzeria La Pineta - currently open).
Here you can decide whether to leave your car or continue for another kilometer to the Diassa torrent on a dirt road and park before the torrent crosses in a large parking lot.
The path starts parallel to the Diassa stream on the protective cliff and winds along a path that quickly gains height for about 60 minutes. Then, after short flat stretches, it goes around the ridge and into the woods, starting again a rapid gain in altitude. In about 45 minutes you arrive at Rifugio Chiggiato.
In summary, it is a challenging route because of the rapidity with which it gains altitude and in fact, despite the reduced mileage, it takes about two hours to climb.
The first section is open and winds through mugo pines and scree that in the hottest days are felt. Then it turns into the woods and the biggest pitfall after rainy days can be the roots and the muddy ground.
The path offers a wide panorama on Val d'Oten with a view on Antelao and its glacier, on Forcella Piccola and on the western Marmarole.
Along this path you will find the last and only source of water considered drinkable in the Western Marmarole at an altitude of about 1750m.
FROM PIAN DEI BUOI – LOZZO DI CADORE
From the center of Lozzo di Cadore you must take the asphalt road that in about 45 minutes leads to Pian dei Buoi. When you arrive at Pian dei Buoi, continue towards shelter Baion and park nearby. Behind the hut starts the CAI path n. 262.
We remind you that during the months of July and August the ascent to Pian dei Buoi is regulated by an alternating one-way street: only the ascent is allowed from 9.00 to 13.00 and only the descent from 14.00 to 17.00. From 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 a.m. there is a two-way traffic.
PATH CAI NUMBER 260
Behind Shelter Baion starts this comfortable and panoramic path that unravels at first on well-kept pastures and then on scree at the base of the Marmarole. After about 45 minutes you reach the first section of the ferrata (a slab of about 5 m with a fairly comfortable slope thanks to plenty of supports and handholds).
After another 15 minutes you come to the second ferrata which is more challenging and exposed on the edge of the Croda Bianca. Basically it is a ledge of about 50 m protected by a metal rope.
In case of difficulty, it is possible to go around it by descending about twenty meters and then climbing back up. In another 20 minutes you reach Forcella Sacù and keeping to the left in another 15 minutes you reach Shelter Chiggiato.
In summary, it is an easy path that does not present difficult differences in level to be faced apart from the two sections of the ferrata that with a minimum of attention can be faced with ease.
The advantage of the path is, compared to the minimum difference in height faced, the great spectacle enjoyed with views of the Marmarole and all the mountains of Central Cadore. In the last stretch you can enjoy the view of Val d'Oten with Antelao and the western Marmarole.
AN ALTERNATIVE IS VIA CASERE D'AIERON
In case you don't want to face the iron passages of the CAI path n. 262, there is the possibility to take the alternative path of the casere d'Aieron. The beginning of the path is the same as path 262 behind the Baion refuge.
In about 15 minutes after the pastures and at the entrance of the wood on the left you will find the sign "PERCORSO PIACEVOLE". Follow the track in the wood for about 40 minutes and you will arrive at the pastures of the casera d'Aieron.
Go past the fountain, pass in front of the casera and take the wide and flat road that runs alongside the wash-house. After about 30 minutes you will reach the shelter Chiggiato, overlapping for the last stretch the path CAI n. 261.
IN WINTER
CALALZO – VAL D’OTEN (Church of Caravaggio)
From the crossroads 50m above the church follow the road to the right until Stua barns, Costapiana (1350m), la Serra (1600m) and finally shelter Chiggiato. Parking: Near the church. Altitude: 850m. Development and time: 7km, 3 hours. Difference in height: 1061m, east-west. Arrival: Chiggiato shelter. Height: 1911m.Sentiero CAI 261.
Variants: Chiggiato shelter - Diassa - Pracedelan - Caravaggio
From the shelter go down north towards Val D'oten along a steep path (recommended for descent). Time: 3 hours. Path CAI 260.
To complete the information we add that:
when you go up in the morning you have a last check of the opening of the refuge by checking the sign before the bridge after the church of Caravaggio (generally it is updated between 8.00 and 8.30).
The average time for the ascent from the parking lot of the church of Caravaggio along the path cai n. 261 "Lastua-Costapiana" is about 2,5 - 3 hours.
on the path cai n. 261 "Lastua-Costapiana" you walk on snow mechanically beaten until the loc. la serra (1600 m asl).
Then you beat the track with the snowshoes until the refuge. From the beating it takes about 5-6 days for the track to become hard and therefore passable without snowshoes.
During the winter period and during the beginning of spring it is advisable to use crampons because of the presence of icy stretches.
The ascent by car to the locality 'Lastua and' forbidden because there 'an ordinance of the mayor who prohibits the transit during the winter season
even if you choose to go up along the path cai n. 260 from the locality praciadelan (near the restaurant la Pineta) chains are recommended. moreover this path is not guaranteed to be beaten.
Before leaving for an excursion it is always advisable to check the snow-avalanche bulletin of arpa veneto.
From October to June open only on weekends and holidays of good weather.
Updates occur from Wednesday/Thursday before the weekend after viewing the weather reports.
Visit the website or call to confirm opening.
