Top 20 Huts and Cabins around Bienno

🏔️ Rifugio Gualtiero Laeng — Conca di Varicla, Borno Rifugio Laeng (1760 m) is one of the two refuges in the Pizzo Camino group, along with San Fermo. It is located in the splendid Conca di Varicla, a bright, open environment rich in rare botanical species. It is an essential, silent place, managed with a spirit of solidarity by volunteers from Operazione Mato Grosso. 📜 Identity and history Dedicated to Gualtiero (Walther) Laeng, a mountaineer and scholar who in 1909 officially reported the Camunian rock carvings. It stands where Rifugio Coppellotti once was, destroyed by the Germans in 1944 as retaliation. It is owned by CAI Cedegolo and entirely managed by OMG volunteers, who donate the proceeds to missions in Latin America. 🏡 Refuge characteristics Altitude: 1760 m Management: Operazione Mato Grosso Beds: 12 in dormitory + 5 in winter room Opening hours: July–August: daily June and September: weekends Dining room: about 30 seats Refuge phone: 338 238 1283 Email: rifugiolaeng@gmail.com 🚶‍♂️ Main accesses From Borno – Path 82 / 82a ⏱️ 2h20’ ⬆️ 750 m Difficulty: E (Hiking) Classic itinerary: road towards Lago di Lova → deviation onto 82 → final climb on 82a. From Villa di Lozio – Path 136 ⏱️ 2h15’ ⬆️ 800 m Difficulty: E (Hiking) Steeper climb in the upper part, passing through Malga Varicla. 🌄 Environment and panoramas The refuge is framed by the limestone walls of Pizzo Camino and Cima Moren, with a view that embraces the entire basin. The area is known for its botanical richness: rare flowers, bright meadows, light-colored rocks that reflect the light. 🔗 Connections and itineraries Sentiero Alto 82 → Rifugio San Fermo ⏱️ 1h30’ Difficulty: E/EE (Hiking/Difficult Hiking) Panoramic stretch, with ups and downs and some passages over rocky sections. Pizzo Camino (2491 m) – Path 82a ⏱️ 2h from the basin Difficulty: EE (Difficult Hiking) Exposed sections and loose scree: helmet and a sure footing recommended.

Friendly staff and great food!

The refuge is located at 1940m, on the border between Val Camonica and Val di Scalve. Amazing cuisine with typical dishes and homemade desserts.

Superb refreshment point between Val di Scalve and Valcamonica. Tasted a few dishes and cakes, really well kept!

The little church of S. Fermo was built around the 16th century on the pre-existing hermitage, which, according to tradition and legend, dates back to the time of Charlemagne and his conquest of Valcamonica. Although I did not have archaeological analysis equipment with me on my various visits, I can say with some certainty that the terracotta floor can be dated back, for its components and shapes, to the 16th/17th century. S. Fermo is one of the three brothers who dedicated themselves to prayer and penance: Glisente, Fermo and Caterina. Glisente (the eldest of the brothers) placed his base on the current Colma di S. Glisente - the underground church is interesting; Fermo, at the base of the Corna di S. Fermo; Caterina just above Lozio, on the path that gives access to the Concarena. The altarpiece of the little church depicts the two brothers in military uniform. Tradition and legend tell that Glisente and Fermo were knights and dignitaries of Charlemagne's army, who then, after the siege of Povia (773-774 AD, today's Pavia and seat of the Lombard kingdom Desiderio) retired to a hermit's life, disgusted by the blood and carnage, imitated by his sister Caterina. Fermo survived the death of his two brothers for many years, thanks to the help of an eagle and a bear, who supplied him with wood, honey beans, food and game. The three brothers used to communicate with each other with bonfires in the evening. In memory of this legend, starting from the Rifugio S. Fermo and following the ridge that leads to the Passo di Varicla, the traditional torchlight procession takes place in the second week of August, which then descends to Borno.

A famous pass in the Brescian Pre-Alps, the Crocedomini has a very long history (it is said that Emperor Frederick Barbarossa passed through here in the 12th century) and is almost 1,900 meters above sea level. It represents a real challenge for those who decide to tackle it by bicycle: from Bagolino it is a 22 kilometer climb at an average 5%, while the Breno side is even harder, around 20 kilometers at an average 7.5%. You can also get to Crocedomini in a third way, that is, through the splendid partly dirt road (very simple gravel) that comes from the south, from the Maniva pass.

Tough route, with steep dirt climbs ... some short pushing sections ... beautiful panorama

Quite long and hard stride