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Welcome to the Fodara Vedla Refuge

EXPERIENCES AT 2.000 METERS

  There are these moments in life when we search for an untouched and unspoiled place, far away from everyday life and stress. For us, this place is the enchanting mountain world of the Dolomites, where the mighty peaks, the lush green alpine pastures, and the rich fauna and flora fascinate hikers from all over the world. And with good reason, since the Dolomites are among the most beautiful mountains in South Tyrol and the world.

Explore the richness of the Dolomites, their magic and their rough beauty during a stay in our mountain refuge and enjoy the warm hospitality of our traditional family-run accommodation. 

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The History of the Fodara Vedla Refuge

The Fodara Vedla hut looks back on a long and eventful past. It all began during the First World War when the Austro-Hungarian army - which held a position in this area at that time - set up a troop camp on the Fodara plateau.
1923: After the war our great-grandfather Hans Mutschlechner, at that time master baker in San Vigilio di Marebbe, acquired the empty military barrack. One year later the hut became habitable and from then on the whole family spent the hot summer months in this beautiful place.
1935: When the Dolomites became a popular destination for tourists and hikers, the refuge was turned into a guesthouse with several rooms. In addition to the overnight service, hikers and mountaineers could also eat and drink here. 
1947: After a few years break during the Second World War, the Fodara Vedla refuge flourished again. Since the sons had returned unharmed from the war, near the refuge it was built a small chapel in honour of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals, as a sign of thanks.  In the following years, thanks to our grandparents Ida and Albert with their 5 children, the Fodara Vedla refuge became more and more popular. 
1980 - 1983: Arthur, Ida's and Albert's first son, and his beloved Frieda renewed the refuge by building 12 rooms with shower, hot water and electricity. At that time a real luxury at an altitude of 2.000 meters! While Frieda cooked with passion and pampered her guests with traditional South Tyrolean dishes, the lively Arthur took care of their well-being while carrying out all the work activities in the mountain hut. Together with their four daughters, the couple filled the Fodara Vedla refuge with warmth, joy and authenticity. A few years later, the 4-woman family got male support from David, Lorena's husband, who became the new chef and took care of the culinary well-being of the guests. 
2014: In order to improve the working procedures inside the mountain hut, some small restructuring works were made and an underground power line was installed.
Together with their parents Frieda and Arthur, today Lorena and David run the Fodara Vedla refuge, grateful to be able to keep on expressing their hospitality and tradition in an innovative and creative way and happy that their children are still allowed to feel like children in this little, idyllic world corner.

When in contact with nature, humans express an intense joy of living... 
...and mountain people are an excellent example for it.

When in contact
with nature, humans express an intense joy of living...

...and mountain people are an excellent example for it.

Hut description

  Over the years many people have worked together to make the Fodara Vedla refuge what it is today: a warm place, full of joy and friendship, filled with a special feeling of freedom that only the mountain is able to give. 

Here on top of the mountain, surrounded by pine trees and alpine meadows, the traditional hospitality has been preserved over the years. The surroundings full of history and the countless natural wonders create a unique and enchanting atmosphere, which invites you to enjoy exciting hiking tours. 

In our comfortable wooden Stuben we will spoil you with traditional specialities from the local mountain cuisine. If you need to relax a little, you can enjoy the peacefulness of our comfortable rooms - all equipped with bathroom and some with balcony - and refuel new energy for your excursions in the Dolomites. In this unspoilt and soothing place, your holiday will become an experience you will never forget.

Persons

Mama & good soul of the house.
With kindness and care every morning Frieda cheers up the guests with a special good morning. She has always been our beacon in the storm.

Father & landlord.
Strength and endurance are its hallmarks. With cheerfulness, humor and patience he holds the team together and sets a shining example for us all!

The fourth­generation representative. 
Full of energy, Lorena always carries out her work with a loving smile and a radiant joie de vivre. She is always there when we need her!

Lorena's better half.
Every day our brave and creative cook surprises his guests with delicious homemade dishes. He is very passionate about his work.

Our 4 children.
Bringing life and sunshine into the hut… filling our heart with joy every day!

Our down to earth cook.
For many years he has inpired us not only with his cooking skills, but also with his precision and simplicity. Even under pressue, Walter always works reliably!

Our amusing South Tyrolean women and men
 Beside the delicious dishes of Manuela, Sandra, David and Walter, with good mood and fresh pep they serve the guests a lot of cheerfulness. 

 The expert for sparkling tableware.
He ensures impeccable cleanliness and radiant brilliance in the kitchen. For a perfect all-round dining experience! 

Our super cleaning fairy.
After Hungary she found her second home in the Fodara hut, which she takes care of with love every day. She gives our hut a new shine!

 Our hard-working supporter.
She mostly helps Monica. In common, the two have not only their homeland, Hungary, but also the joy of 
doing their work. 

 The 3 sisters.
With a lot of passion and personal commitment they have contributed to the growth of the hut. - Always reliable and always here for us when we need them!

Our homemade specialities

 One of the most beautiful moments here on the top of the mountain is definitely the morning. When nature awakens and the first rays of sunshine bathe the alpine meadows in a soft light, we celebrate the new day with a delicious mountain breakfast.
A good, energizing "Haferlkaffee", homemade jam, fresh bread and a soft slice of cake from our local baker, fresh South Tyrolean milk, yoghurt, muesli, cold cuts, cheese and eggs. Every morning we serve our mountain breakfast from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m..

In the evening we don't have a fixed menu, but we offer our guests what South Tyrol's nature provides: with our own hunting and with fresh, regional and seasonal herbs and vegetables from Caterina and Pire's (David's parents) garden as well as with further natural products of the region we delight the palate of our guests.
Every evening from 7 p.m. we tickle your senses with a delicious and romantic dinner in the middle of the enchanting landscape of the Dolomites.
Of course, we accompany the hut delicacies with fine wines from our South Tyrolean wine assortment. 

Our refuge is perfectly suited for bigger events, such as corporate dinners, company meetings or family celebrations. We will be happy to suggest you a suitable menu. Just contact us!

Getting married in the Dolomites, surrounded by a marvellous scenery? We make it possible! Our small chapel dedicated to Saint Antony is located only 50 meters away from our hut and offers a romantic setting for a unforgettable wedding at the Fodara Vedla refuge. 

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We must celebrate the events when they occur, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

A special celebration deserves a special venue. And we are happy to put it at your disposal! 
Whether a lively outdoor event on our terrace, a cheerful family celebration in our Stuben or a special anniversary - a memorable evening in a mountain hut can't miss a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere!

Every hiker enjoys sitting together in our cosy wooden Stube, listening to traditional mountain melodies and sipping a good glass of wine. Various wines from the well-known vineyards of South Tyrol will also delight the palates of wine connoisseurs.  

Summer Highlights

 "A friendly 'Grüß Gott!' to all the people you meet for the first time, but who look so familiar. A warm 'Thank you' at every step, which leads you to new views and fills you with new joy - a collection of precious, enduring memories that you will take home with you." 
 (Mutschlechner Arthur)
 
Nestled in the empire of eagles, ibexes, chamois and marmots, the Fodara Vedla refuge is an ideal destination for those who love hiking in nature, 
mountain biking and enjoying exciting activities outdoors.

The Fanes-Senes-Braies nature park covers an area of 25.000 ha, from Alta Pusteria to Alta Badia. 
Since 2009 it is a part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, and with good reason. In fact, here you can find many unique and precious natural treasures: from water treasures such as the crystal-clear Braies Lake with its majestic Dolomites and the emerald green Lake Fosses to mountain treasures such as the majestic Senes Highlands and the impressive Fanes Group.

In 12 hiking stages the Dolomites High Route n.1, the oldest High Route in South Tyrol, leads you from Lake Braies to Belluno through the heart of the Dolomites. 
The first stage starts at the Lake Braies, passes by the Rifugio Biella hut (2.327m) and the mountain refuge Sennes (2.126m) and leads you to the Fodara Vedla (1.980 m), from where - after a relaxing overnight stay and a delicious breakfast - you can proceed to Pederù (1,545 m). 

 Multi day hikes (around 12 days) – 130 km  – 
about 8,000 m altitude difference  

Immerse yourself in the history of some of the most beautiful mountains in the world: the Dolomites. 
On this special geological trail in 10 stages you can discover the fascinating history of the "Pale Mountains". The trail starts in the Bletterbach gorge in Aldino and leads you to Sesto across the Dolomites. At the end of the 7th stage you reach the Fodara Vedla hut. 

Multi day hikes (around 10 days) - 176 km - about 12,698 m altitude diffrence

We spend every winter at the foot of the Dolomites, at the entrance to the Valle di Marebbe. Here, in the heart of the beautiful Fanes-Senes-Braies nature park, at an altitude of 1,285 metres you will find the small picturesque village of San Vigilio di Marebbe. In the northernmost municipality of the Val Badia, culture meets nature and the past is combined with modernity.  
In addition to German and Italian, in San Vigilio Ladin is still spoken for over 2,000 years.

Between tradition and modernity, the picturesque village of Cortina d'Ampezzo in the province of Belluno is located about 17 km away from our refuge. Not without reason this place is often called the "Pearl of the Dolomites". In fact, the majestic Dolomites surround the village and invite to exciting excursions throughout the whole year. Besides St. Moritz, Kitzbühel and Megeve, Cortina is one of the most famous tourist resorts in the Alps. Here you can still hear people speak the Ladin language (Ampezzano).

Ladin is a Rhaeto-Romanic language which is still spoken and cultivated in some valleys and villages of South Tyrol. Once the most widely spoken language in the Alpine region, today Ladin is one of the minority languages in Europe and is spoken by about 30,000 people: in Val Badia, in Val Gardena, in Val di Fassa (Trentino), in Buchenstein and Ampezzo (province of Belluno), in Friuli and in the Swiss canton of Grisons - in every area with its own local accent.

Along flowering meadows, deep blue streams, wild alpine pastures and unspoilt, wild rock formations, the Dolomites are a true hiking paradise and a highlight for every traveller. Whether you prefer a leisurely hike or a challenging summit tour - there is something for everyone!
Discover our hiking tips: PDF

hiking tips

 In the middle of the Dolomites every mountain biker's heart beats faster! From the Fodara Vedla hut you can undertake many exciting tours on two wheels. 
And if you want to explore the surrounding area by electric bike, you can recharge it at the charging station located at our refuge!
Discover our mountain bike tours: PDF 

bike tips

Special moments…

Our passion for stunning images...

Alpine joy - Balsam for the soul... Walk barefoot across the meadow and feel the fresh grass. Immerse your feet in the ice-cold stream. Close your eyes and listen to the chirping of birds, breathe in the fresh mountain air, smell the freshly picked meadow flowers, rest on the deckchair and enjoy the sun kissing your skin.

Seek refreshment in the rain - just dream and recharge your batteries where nature is still intact...

Sunrise on the Sas dla Para, our local mountain, followed by a delicious mountain breakfast – Golden sunset in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.

Nights in the Dolomites – a fantastic starry sky and the spectacle of colours surrounding the mountains – from the sunset, with the first stars, to the deep night, with its brightly lit stars, until dawn, the first light of the day.

Sleeping in the Dolomites

  The Fodara Vedla hut is suitable both - for an overnight stay in a mountain hut and for an extended holiday in the Dolomites. 

Our lovingly furnished rooms with private shower/WC offer a soothing place for peace and relaxation. There is no TV, but the view on the mountains is so much better!

For backpackers, we also offer new modern multi-bed rooms with shower and toilet in the corridor (sleeping bag required).

General Conditions

People come and go without respect for their surroundings and the natural rhythms.
It is important to us to do something good for nature, at the same time, help our guests feel the atmosphere of this mystical and relaxing place.
We recommend you staying with us for at least two nights and to fully enjoy your stay.
You won’t regret it.

Our hiking map

Occupancy: 1-12 Personen
More bed rooms with bunk beds (for 2, 4 or 6 persons) bathrooms to share for womans and men separated, pillows and blankets are available. A sleeping bag is desiderable
Bunk Bed, WC on the floor
Terrace, panoramic view 
Daily cleaning service included

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Our Prices

Inclusive services

The  prices are intended per person and day and include a rich breakfast buffet as well as a delicious dinner with local specialities.
Furthermore, the following services are included: bed linen and towels in the room with shower,  bike depot, personal hiking program to the most beautiful viewpoints in the surroundings, fresh mountain air and a breathtaking view over the legendary Dolomites. Jeep transfer on request.

Children's prices

Reduced prices for children who stay in their parents' room
*Children's prices for a minimum stay of 2 nights

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Trip cancellation insurance Hotel Cancellation Plus

Occasionally, something can happen before the start of a trip. With our cancellation insurance you are financially protected. Secure yourself and take out this trip cancellation insurance Hotel Cancellation Plus right now. 

Trip cancellation insurance

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How to find us

from san Vigilio - from Cortina d´Ampezzo - From Lake Braies

From San Vigilio you can reach the Pederü hut by car or by bus. Travel time: approx. 20 minutes for 12 km. From the hut (1,545m a. s. l.) you reach the mountain hut by foot within about 1 hour and 15 minutes along the 3km long path number 7.
From Cortina d'Ampezzo you reach the parking lot of St. Hubertus, also called "tornichè", from here it is possible to drive along the paved road of about 3km up to the Malga with your own car, except in the months of July and August when the road is closed by the Natural Park of the Dolomites d'Ampezzo. In this period a shuttle service is available, offered by private individuals for a fee, departing from Fiames. From Ra Stua you walk for 5km along path number 9 and you will reach Fodara Vedla within 1.5 hours.
From Lake Braies in Val Pusteria (1,600m) you can reach the Fodara Vedla refuge within approximately 5 hours along path number 23 or at the High Dolomites Route number 1.

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