Sunset prosecco at Rifugio Lagazuoi with WWI history

Rifugio Lagazuoi sits at 2,752m with 360° views of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage peaks. The mountain contains restored WWI tunnels and trenches. Stay for sunset prosecco as the peaks turn pink, then cable car down or ski the legendary "Hidden Valley" run.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Ascend to 2,752m by Cable Car Adventure · Price: moderate

   Drive to Passo Falzarego (2,105m) between Cortina and Arabba and take Lagazuoi cable car to 2,752m (€20 round trip, 10-min ride). Exit cable car, hike 10 minutes uphill to Rifugio Lagazuoi entrance (red/white trail markers, easy grade). You're now standing where Italian and Austrian troops fought in WWI. Cable car operates 09:00-16:30 (summer), 09:00-16:00 (winter). Last descent 17:00. Visit mid-morning for best cellar tour availability.

   Backup: If cable car closed (wind/weather), drive to nearby Rifugio Cinque Torri instead for wine with Dolomite views.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Descend into the WWI Tunnel Wine Cellar History · Price: low

   Inside Rifugio Lagazuoi, order a bottle of Alto Adige Lagrein (€14-20 for 0.5L) then ask the host to show you the cellar. Bottles are stored in ACTUAL Austrian trenches from 1915-1917. Soldiers carved these tunnels to plant explosives under Italian positions. Wine now ages where ammunition was kept. Ask about the 'White War' (Guerra Bianca) - 150,000 casualties in the Dolomites WWI campaign, many from avalanches and cold. Temperature is constant 8-12°C year-round.

   Backup: If cellar tour unavailable, explore the open-air WWI museum tunnels (free, 20-30min self-guided loop).

   Log Memory
3. 3 Toast the Marmolada Glacier at Sunset Wine · Free

   Carry your wine to Rifugio Lagazuoi terrace, facing south toward Marmolada glacier. The Marmolada glacier (highest peak in the Dolomites at 3,343m) fills the view. At sunset, the entire mountain range turns pink then orange then red - the 'Enrosadira' phenomenon. Time your visit to be on the terrace by 17:00 (summer) or 16:00 (winter). Drink slowly. You're drinking wine aged in a battlefield, overlooking a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

   Backup: If weather is poor, stay inside the rifugio - the atmosphere is cozy and the wine is still excellent.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• Take the last cable car up for sunset - watch the Dolomites turn pink (enrosadira)

• Book overnight in the rifugio for sunrise at altitude - includes excellent dinner with local wines

• Explore the WWI tunnels and open-air museum before or after your wine moment