When Should You Book Mountain Huts in the Dolomites?

When should you book mountain huts in the Dolomites? For the most popular rifugi, it’s worth checking availability as early as autumn the year before. Some huts open bookings in October or November, while others wait until January or February. If you have your heart set on a particular hut and date, it’s best to book as soon as reservations open.

We learned this the hard way in June, when we tried to find a bed at Rifugio Bolzano.

1. A Dolomites mountain hut you need to book well in advance

A few months ago, in June, it finally looked as though we might manage a long-planned overnight stay at Rifugio Bolzano. It’s one of the oldest and, in our opinion, one of the most beautifully located mountain huts in the Dolomites. It stands high on the plateau in the Sciliar group, with fantastic views across the Catinaccio.

We were especially keen to stay there during Herz-Jesu-Feuer, when bonfires are lit on the mountain slopes, forming distinctive shapes and symbols in the darkness. It’s an old Tyrolean tradition that is still very much alive in the Dolomites.

There was just one problem: we didn’t have a reservation.

First we wrote to the hut, then we called. We were completely flexible – we could have stayed on almost any night during the following two weeks. No luck. There wasn’t a single bed available.

A few days later, we walked up to Rifugio Bolzano anyway. We wanted to see the hut for ourselves and take some photos of Catinaccio and Latemar.

That’s when we found out that if you want to stay at Rifugio Bolzano on a popular summer date, it’s best to start thinking about your booking as early as October or November the year before.

Next time, we’ll know better.

2. Rifugio Bolzano – a mountain hut where time seems to stand still

The history of Rifugio Bolzano, also known as Schlernhaus, goes back to the 19th century. The first hut was built on the initiative of Johann Santner – the same mountaineer after whom Punta Santner is named. Construction began in 1883 and the hut officially opened on 23 August 1885.

The original building was small, with a kitchen, two sleeping rooms and around 50 beds. It soon became clear that this wasn’t enough.

Another building was added nearby in 1896, and a year later the Bolzano section of the German-Austrian Alpine Club built a much larger hut. The complex was expanded again in the following years. This is also where the German name Schlernhäuser – in the plural – comes from.

After the First World War, South Tyrol became part of Italy. In 1923, the Fascist authorities dissolved the German-speaking Alpine associations and confiscated their property. Schlernhaus later passed to CAI Bolzano, which still owns it today.

Despite all the changes and renovations over the years, the hut has kept its unique character. Step inside and it really does feel as though time has slowed down a little.

And we definitely want to go back – next time with a bed booked.

3. When is the best time to book mountain huts in the Dolomites?

There is no single date when reservations open for all mountain huts in the Dolomites. Every rifugio has its own system and its own timetable.

If you’re planning to stay in popular huts next summer, start checking bookings in October and November. Not every hut opens its calendar that early – some don’t start taking reservations until January or February – but for the most popular places, it’s worth booking almost as soon as reservations become available.

The size of your group also matters. If you only need one or two beds, you may still get lucky much later. If you’re travelling with a larger group, book as soon as you can once reservations open. This is especially important in July and August and for weekend stays.

4. Which Dolomites mountain huts should you book earliest?

Below we’ve collected booking information for some popular mountain huts in different parts of the Dolomites. Treat this as a starting point for planning rather than a fixed calendar – booking dates and rules can change from one season to the next.

Booking dates can change from one season to another, so always check the latest information directly on the hut’s website before planning your trip.

5. What if the hut is already fully booked?

No availability in the booking system doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up on your plans completely.

Try checking other dates, even just one day earlier or later. If you’re planning a multi-day route, you may also be able to rearrange the stages or find another hut nearby.

It’s also worth checking the booking system again from time to time or contacting the hut directly. People cancel, and beds do become available again.

And don’t give up even at the last minute. Call two days before, the day before, or even on the day you want to stay. Someone may have cancelled and a bed that had been unavailable for months can suddenly become free.

Of course, you have a much better chance of finding one or two last-minute beds than enough space for a whole group.

6. How to book mountain huts in the Dolomites

Just a few years ago, booking a mountain hut often meant sending emails, writing WhatsApp messages or making phone calls. Some huts still work this way, but more and more now have online booking systems. And we have to admit, they make life much easier – you can immediately see available dates, choose the number of people and type of accommodation, and make your booking.

There is, however, no single booking system covering all mountain huts in the Dolomites. Some have their own online booking platforms, others use enquiry forms, while some still take bookings by email or phone. Deposit and cancellation policies also vary, as do rules about what time you need to arrive.

For more practical information about bookings, prices, what to expect in the huts, payment methods and what to pack for an overnight stay, have a look at our article “What You Need to Know About Mountain Huts in the Dolomites.”

If you already have your hut booked, you may also find our packing list for a mountain hut stay useful.

7. Planning via ferratas with an overnight stay in a mountain hut?

When planning via ferrata routes, staying overnight in a mountain hut can open up much more interesting options – especially if you want to combine several via ferratas or explore a larger part of the Dolomites without descending to the valley every day. The Sesto Dolomites are a great example – you can spend several days moving between via ferratas and mountain huts.

In our Dolomites via ferrata e-books, every route description includes a direct link to the mountain hut located on or near the route. This makes it easy to check the latest information, availability and booking options while planning your trip.

Because, as we discovered at Rifugio Bolzano, sometimes by the time you start dreaming about a night in that perfect mountain hut, you’re already too late.