Located at the foot of the Dolomites mountain range, in northern Italy, the region of Trentino has been attracting hikers captivated by its peaks for over 150 years.
Two British mountaineers, Francis Fox Tuckett and Edward Robson Whitwell, made the first ascent in the Dolomites to Cimon de la Pala (the 'Matterhorn of the Dolomites') in 1870, paving the way for generations of future hikers to explore this area.
The Trentino region is known for its historic mountain huts, and one of these, the Boè Mountain Hut, has recently undergone an extensive three-year renovation and expansion project supported by the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation.
The renovation highlights the region's commitment to sustainable tourism with new technologies designed to reduce the environmental impact of the hut and preserve the region's natural resources.
The expansion has included a 76-room new building which can accommodate 114 guests, as well as several dining rooms. Situated in the Fassa Dolomites, at an altitude of almost 3000m, the historic hut can be reached from a range of hiking trails.
The renovation has respond to problems with water access, shrinking glaciers and a reduction of snowfields by installing new cutting edge technologies in the water supply to the hut.
Melted ice is channelled through the Hut's four water distribution networks providing an eco-friendly source for guests' showers and purified drinking water which reduces the need for plastic bottles.
Following the success of this process, the Val di Fumo Mountain Hut and the Saènt Silvio Dorigoni Mountain Hut are set to install the same purification systems.
Let's Dolomites
Hiking enthusiasts of all abilities can explore more of the region's peaks than ever before with Let's Dolomites.
The Trentino's Alpine Guides College has restored the region's Via delle Normali route, was first established 90 years ago, to help attract walkers to mountain huts.
The route now connects guests staying at the eight historic mountain huts to trails up the 10 peaks of the Brenta Group, each of which towers over 2900m high.
Hikers can enjoy the Via dell Normali route in an exploratory mountaineering experience, which offers an easier option for less experienced climbers, connecting several peaks along 45km of historic Dolomites routes.
Trentino's mountain guides have also restored the Via delle Normali rock routes with new rest anchors and protections in the most challenging areas so hikers can feel safe whilst exploring the epic landscape.
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