by InTrieste
From traditional cheese-making and forest walks to hearty mountain cuisine, a new series of summer weekends invites visitors to discover the culture that has sustained life in Italy’s northeastern Alps for centuries.
On summer weekends, the mountain huts of Friuli Venezia Giulia become more than simple resting points along alpine trails. They transform into gathering places where visitors can hike through forests and high-altitude meadows, sample traditional regional dishes, and take part in hands-on activities that celebrate the customs of the mountains.
From culinary workshops and guided excursions to demonstrations of age-old crafts, the events offer an opportunity to experience the traditions, flavors, and rhythms of life that have shaped the region’s alpine communities for generations.
Scattered across the Julian Alps, the Carnic Alps, and the Friulian Dolomites, the region’s rifugi have long served as refuges for shepherds, climbers, and hikers. Today, they are increasingly becoming ambassadors of local culture, introducing visitors not only to dramatic landscapes but also to the people who call these mountains home. Many huts host food-focused events highlighting regional specialties such as Montasio cheese, frico, cured meats, and locally produced honey, while others organize guided walks, storytelling sessions, and family-friendly activities.
Many of the region’s best-known refuges are destinations in their own right. Among them is Rifugio Luigi Zacchi, nestled beneath the Mangart massif near the borders with Austria and Slovenia. The stone-and-wood refuge is renowned for its traditional Friulian cuisine and serves as a gateway to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Julian Alps.
Families are also finding new reasons to head for the mountains. Regional tourism initiatives promote hut-to-hut excursions, educational activities, and events designed specifically for children, helping younger generations discover the alpine environment through play, exploration, and local traditions. Programs such as “In Rifugio c’è più gusto” (“More Taste in the Mountain Huts”) combine outdoor adventure with culinary discovery.
More information can be found here.
