Rifugio Stella Alpina Spiz Piaz

In the heart of the Gardeccia basin, at the foot of the Catinaccio and the Vajolet Towers, a mountain refuge where legends, Ladin flavours and family hospitality come together.

There are places where the mountains seem to have stories of their own. Rifugio Stella Alpina Spiz Piaz, in the beautiful Gardeccia basin, is one of them. Surrounded by the peaks of the Catinaccio and Larséch, it is a meeting point for hikers, mountain lovers and anyone looking to slow down and experience the beauty of the Dolomites.

Its story goes back a long way. The first records date back to 1858, when the building was simply a traditional Fassa-style stable with a hayloft above it. As mountaineering began to develop in Val di Fassa at the beginning of the twentieth century, the building was transformed and enlarged, eventually becoming the mountain refuge we know today. Since 2011, the Riz family has been looking after the refuge, continuing a tradition of hospitality that has been part of this corner of Gardeccia for more than a century.

That family atmosphere is one of the things that makes Stella Alpina so special. Hospitality here is about smiles, conversation and the simple warmth that belongs to mountain refuges. It is a welcoming and genuine place where you can feel at home, even when you are almost 2,000 metres above sea level.

The connection with the local area continues at the table. The kitchen serves traditional Ladin dishes, prepared with fresh, genuine ingredients, alongside a few more creative ideas and plenty of homemade desserts. The family pays particular attention to the quality of its ingredients and to choosing products that support local producers: because even a meal in a mountain refuge can be a way of discovering the mountains through their flavours.

And after a day on the trails, why not stay for the night? Stella Alpina Spiz Piaz offers private rooms and dormitories, with accommodation for around 50 guests, making it possible to enjoy one of the most beautiful mountain experiences of all: falling asleep at high altitude and waking up to the silence of Gardeccia, with the peaks of the Catinaccio right outside your window.

Its location is also ideal for exploring the Catinaccio Group. From here, you can hike towards the Vajolet Towers, Passo Principe and Lake Antermoia, or follow an easier trail down towards Ciampedie. The Gardeccia basin is also crossed by the Legends Trail, an enchanting route that brings to life some of the stories and folklore that have long been part of these mountains.

Ultimately, Rifugio Stella Alpina Spiz Piaz is a place where past and present continue to meet: a story that began as a stable and hayloft, a family that has cared for its spirit since 2011, and a kitchen that brings the flavours of tradition to the table.

A place to visit for lunch after a hike, to spend a night under the stars or simply to breathe in the pure mountain air. And perhaps, between a slice of homemade cake and a peak glowing in the evening light, to hear one more legend of the Dolomites.