Rifugio Solarie
On the trail of the Great War
- Drenchia (UD)
- 956 m
- Winter/Summer
- Car
- Bike
- Strollers
About this place
The Solarie refuge is located in Drenchia, a village on the border between Italy and Slovenia, and for this reason, too, it deserves a thorough visit. The surrounding areas are rich in history, you can follow fortifications and trenches from the Great War, which can be visited in all seasons, and then refresh yourself in this warm and cozy shelter. In front of the shelter we can find a memorial stone dedicated to Riccardo Giusto, the first fallen Alpine soldier in 1915, and, inside, numerous references to the same and to the vicissitudes of the historical period.
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Why visit it
01.
You arrive by car
The lodge can be reached by car, and its location is ideal as a base for excursions immersed in nature or on the trail of history. In addition, from the hut or from Drenchia one can enjoy a mtb/e-bike ride.
02.
Mount Colovrat Museum
About an hour’s walk from the Solarie hut we encounter the Great War open-air museum, which is a space, fully restored, in which there are countless remains of fortifications and trenches of the Italian third line of defense.
03.
Near the border
This refuge stands near the Solarie Pass, on the Italian ridge of Mount Colovrat (Kolovrat in Slovenian). The mountain divides the Natisone Valleys in Italy from the Soča Valley in Slovenia. From the refuge you can reach Slovenia and, in about half an hour, Caporetto.
Landscape
The refuge is located on the southern slope of Mount Colovrat, near Solarie Pass, a former border crossing. The landscape is characterized by the steep mountains of the Julian Pre-Alps and green valleys with gentle slopes. The Rieka and Cosizza valleys can be seen from the refuge. For those with a sweet tooth, the meadows and forests are rich in blackberries, blueberries and strawberries.
Itineraries and routes
Several routes can be taken from the Solarie hut:
- Zanuso Bivouac
Walking time: about 30 min, one way
- Kolovrat outdoor cross-border museum “Italy’s third line of defense”
Travel time: about 1 hour, one way
- Panoramic loop to Mount Colovrat (1243 m a.s.l.)
Walking time: about 3 hours
Several trails can also be traveled by mountain bike or, in case of snow, with snowshoes.
Opening period
Open year-round.
The interiors and rooms
This lodge is impeccably run by Mrs. Mara who, with dedication and respect for the history and events that have characterized this area, welcomes her guests and delights them with an excellent meal.
The shelter has 18 beds available and the restaurant has 145 covers. There is also a tennis court and a soccer field next to the lodge, which can be used by guests.
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The Kolovrat outdoor museum
The Municipality of Drenchia, in cooperation with the Italian Alpine Club, has restored and made accessible the historical paths of the Great War located along the Colovrat ridge on the Slovenian side. The trenches and fortifications of World War I have become an outdoor museum available to all. The museum can be reached in a short time, about an hour’s walk from the hut, and is easily explored by adults and children.
THE SOLARIE PASS AND THE MUSEUM
The Solarie Pass and the entire area of the Colovrat ridge are sadly linked to the dramatic events of World War I and in particular to the Battle of Caporetto, the most serious defeat in the history of the Italian army. In October 1917, thousands of soldiers, as well as a great many civilians, lost their lives as a result of heavy bombardment, and remnants of this tragedy can be found in the area: ruins of buildings, tunnels and walkways, remains of artillery emplacements.
Read the review of the Kolovrat outdoor museum >
Getting there
The Solarie hut is easily reached from Drenchia by following the signs to the hut itself. The road is paved and comfortable, and also well maintained in winter and usually free of ice and snow. For added security, you can call the shelter to verify this.
The refuge is also a stop on the Alpe Adria Trail, a 750-km route that passes through Carinthia, Slovenia and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The trip to the Solarie Refuge is particularly suitable for children who will be able to enjoy the outdoors but also see important historical evidence with their own eyes. In particular, we recommend the route to the renovated and safely accessible Great War outdoor museum. the path to reach it is moderately uphill and takes about an hour.
Yes, the Solarie hut can be visited during the winter and allows snow lovers and even snowshoers to follow the various surrounding trails. About an hour’s walk from the hut, next to the Great War outdoor museum, children can enjoy safe sledding in a clearing with gentle slopes.
The area is rich in mountain-bike trails and attracts many enthusiasts. For cyclists, routes leading to the Zanuso bivouac from different locations or from the Isonzo River are very interesting.
Contact Solarie Refuge
Through this section you can contact the Solarie shelter directly. Use it to inquire about services, rates, meal & overnight reservations, weather and trail status information, and trails. Remember that with this form you will contact the activity managers directly. Explorer FVG is only an intermediary and does not handle responses and is not responsible for the information exchanged in these conversations.
Contact information:
Solarie Rifugio
Loc. Solaria
33040 Drenchia (UD)
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