Descrizione
Attention: in 2020 the refuge is closed
This hut is located between Manina pass and Mount Sasna, at an altitude of 1637 m, and it is the result of the conversion of some miners’ houses known as “case rosse” (red houses). The hut is managed by Celadina Alpine Group (GAC) from 1975 and has 42 beds, heating, showers, two kitchens, two dining rooms and a winter room. It is located on the Sentiero delle Orobie Centro-orientali/Central-eastern Orobie Trail, halfway between Curò Hut and Albani Hut.
The mountain hut is opened on summer weekends, but it is advisable to contact the GAC for confirmation (+39 345 4125462 or +39 349.5131726). Meals can be catered on request. Sleeping linen compulsory, capacity of 30/35 beds, hot showers included.
The hut is reachable from Nona (hamlet of Vilminore di Scalve) in 40’ (path n° 408) or from Lizzola (hamlet of Valbondione) in h 1.50 (path n° 307 until Manina pass, then path n° 408).
The Manina area, on the watershed between Seriana valley and “di Scalve” valley, has been one of the largest mining complex in Italy. Extraction of iron began at the time of the Roman Empire, and it continued in the Middle Ages and at the time of the Republic of Venice. The mining industry was the main economic activity of the area, together with the production of coal from the local wood, in order to process the raw minerals. At the end of 1800, the new industrial methods of extraction and transport of the mineral allowed an increase of the producion: in 1930s the Nona-Manina road was opened and cableways connected directly to the furnace were installed. The extraction peaked during WWII until 1944, then the mines were abandoned until 1952, and then finally closed in 1970s. Close to the hut, the accesses to the mines are perfectly visibile, as well as the dumps and a powder magazine.