At the beginning of the last century, the Kingdom of Italy strengthened the Cadore area militarily in order to protect itself from a possible Austrian advance. To this end, it created the so-called Cadore-Maè Fortress, which included the Monte Rite complex, which was not however involved in the Great War.
In 1917, after the defeat of Caporetto, the army abandoned this post. In the summer of 1944, the remains of the fortification served as a refuge for the partisans of Cadore.
In 1997 Reinhold Messner identified the Rite as the ideal location for his "Museum in the Clouds"; thus began the renovation work that already in 2002 allowed the inauguration of the Museum and the shelter.
The latter offers hikers comfortable rooms (some with private bathroom) and home cooking with typical dishes.
How to get there:
IN SUMMER
The Dolomites shelter - Monte Rite (2,160 m) can be reached mainly from the Cibiana Pass, following the 7 km long dirt road that leads to the top in about 2.30 hours. A shuttle service is available. Going up, in correspondence of the first hairpin bend of the road, there is the deviation for the Troi d'Orlando, which represents an alternative way to reach the Refuge. It is the path CAI n. 479 that arrives to Forcella Deona and then to the top of Monte Rite, with a walking time of about 2 hours.
Just below Cibiana pass On the Zoldo side, near the locality known as Quattro Tabià, another itinerary begins that allows you to reach Monte Rite. Take CAI path no. 494, pass forcella Val Inferna and from here continue along CAI path no. 478 to forcella Deona and then to the Refuge. Travel time about 2.30 hours.
From Vodo di Cadore You can reach Mount Rite by following the road to Rifugio Talamini and then taking CAI path n. 478 or n. 494 on foot. From the Talamini Refuge, it takes about 2 hours to reach the top of Rite.
IN WINTER
All the summer trails are passable with snowshoes or ski mountaineering, after having carefully consulted the nivometeo bulletins for the avalanche danger.
The downhill road to Passo Cibiana is a fun toboggan run.
Attention: this is a non homologated slope, without protections and used by skiers and pedestrians, so you have to go down carefully. Pay attention to the possible formation of ice in the tunnel.
