What’s it like to stay in a

mountain hut?

Some of our Runcations include staying at mountain huts. Based on the country or location, these can be referred to as rifugios, refugios, refuges, gites, and auberges. These mountain huts come in a variety of styles, but all of the huts on our trips are hand-picked and curated to offer a unique location, culinary experience, and style of accommodation. Our mountain huts include a full breakfast spread with coffee, teas, juices, three-course dinners, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Mountain huts have a long history of acting as shelters to mountain lovers that want to climb, ski, or backpack through the mountains. On our Runcations, we have the added luxury of having our bags transported while we run to each location.

You can expect to share a dormitory with your group or other travelers. Dormitories can range from 4-person to 12-person dormitories with multiple beds or bunk beds. There are also shared bathrooms with hot water showers (at some huts, you must buy a token to use to shower).

What to pack

Every participant will receive a detailed packing list on what to pack, but staying at huts may require you to bring your own towel or sleeping liner in addition to the things you would pack for staying at a regular hotel. Some cash or currency is great to have on hand for snacks, food, and beverages. A personal battery pack is great for charging phones or watches. Most huts have communal hut slippers , but we also recommend bringing a pair of flip flops. Eye masks and ear plugs can be handy to have as well!

What we love about mountain huts

We love that mountain huts allow you to experience running throughout a place and see changes in trails, landscape, culture, and foods as you run. On our Runcations we’re able to see the sunrise and sunset out the window and spend more time in the beautiful landscapes without having to return back to a car or city at the end of the day.

Sunset from the deck of a Runcation hut to hut trail running trip in the Dolomites

There’s also a special communal nature to mountain huts. Breakfasts and dinners are served at the same time and you have the chance to eat with your group as well as share drinks and conversation with other travelers or caretakers of the huts. It’s not uncommon to find books, games, or a shared guitars and musical instruments for travelers. It’s important to remember that you are sharing this special space in the mountains and to be mindful of the experience of others!

Huts are also a reminder of our precious resources. As a shelter in a remote mountain location, there can be a time limit on showers and access to electrical outlets to charge devices. You will typically find signs reminding you to use water sparingly. Seasons of drought and abnormally low snow and precipitation are unfortunately becoming more common worldwide, and staying at a remote location such as a mountain hut is a good reminder to use resources sparingly and not take anything for granted.

If you are someone that wants to stay in a hotel room or have all the creature comforts you have at home, we suggest checking out our other trips that don’t include mountain huts!

Which Runcations include

mountain huts?

Curious about learning more?

Check out our feature in Runner’s World on running hut to hut

The Mountain Hut

Experience