The Rifugio Antonio Stoppani stands at 890 metres at the Costa barns, on the slopes of the Resegone above Lecco: it is reached on foot only, in about 45 minutes from the Piani d’Erna cable car car park, and has home cooking and a view over the town.
History
It was built in 1895 as an intermediate stop on the way up the Resegone and dedicated to Abbot Antonio Stoppani, the Lecco geologist. In the Second World War it was destroyed and then rebuilt: Wikipedia gives 1943 for the destruction and 1948 for the rebuilding, and says that in 1978, thanks to funds from banks, institutions and Lecco firms, it took on today’s look; another site speaks of a prefabricated rebuilding in 1943 and an opening in 1978. A 2022 text simply notes that the original building no longer exists and that today’s is mid-20th-century. According to Wikipedia it is owned by CAI Lecco, and nearby is the crag called Parete Stoppani.
What to see
The hut has a room heated by a wood stove (about 50 seats) and a small room with a fireplace, and a panoramic terrace over the town and the surrounding nature; from above Costa, the votive chapel of the Madonna del Resegone is one of the best spots for photos (NoiLombardia). A hot shower is powered by solar panels, there is GSM coverage and a children’s play area. From here you go to the Resegone, the Piani d’Erna, the Magnodeno and the Capanna Monza.
Getting there
You go on foot only, from the Piani d’Erna cable car car park, at Versasio (Malnago), by path 1: about 45 minutes, 290 metres of ascent, tourist route according to the regional portal. The route starts in the wood, then reaches the locality of Costa after about 35 minutes and finally a narrower, sometimes slippery path leads to the hut. With another hour’s walk you reach the Piani d’Erna. To climb the Resegone and the Azzoni hut you continue along the same path 1. Wikipedia also gives paths 3, 4, 26 and 28 from Acquate, Germanedo and Maggianico. Times, difficulty and trail conditions change with the season and should be checked before setting out (CAI, hut manager, weather forecast).
Practical information
- Height: 890 metres. Opening according to the hut’s site (consulted on 4 October 2026): every day from mid-June to mid-September; in other months only Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays; booking is appreciated.
- Beds: 24 according to the eccoLecco site and a hut directory, 22 according to the regional portal.
- Contacts: phone +39 0341 491517 and +39 347 0323045, email info@rifugiostoppani.it, site rifugiostoppani.it.
- From 5 to 31 October 2026 the Piani d’Erna cable car is closed for extraordinary maintenance, but the path to the hut starts from the car park and is on foot anyway.
Sources
- Rifugio Stoppani, official site
- eccoLecco, Rifugio Stoppani and Sulla Neve, Rifugio Stoppani
- NoiLombardia, Rifugio Stoppani (Lecco)
- Rifugi di Lombardia portal of the Region; Wikipedia, Rifugio Antonio Stoppani entry.