At dawn in a mountain dairy - Contrin Dairy

In the summer 2024, the #albeinmalga returns: an opportunity to get to know a centuries-old mountain garrison, immersing yourself in the reality of the mountain pastures and experiencing the rhythms and work of the herdsman. Before setting to work, you will witness, enveloped in the silence of the high altitude, the always exciting spectacle of the "Enrosadira", when, as the sun breaks through the horizon, the peaks turn the most intense shades of orange to violet. Time to get busy! Milking the cows, tidying up the cowshed, tending to the animals, collecting fresh eggs and preparing a breakfast of local produce for all to enjoy together.

#albeinmalga: 12 and 13 July at Contrin Refuge and Contrin Dairy

Programme - Friday 12 July:

• 4 p.m. - meet at the "Ciampac" cabin lift in Alba di Canazei. Led by our expert montain guide, we will reach Contrin Refuge (2016 m), where we will spend the night. The hike to the hut will be along forest road no. 602 in Val Contrin; a walk of about two hours for a length of 4.6 km and an altitude difference of 600 m
• approx. 6.30 p.m. - here we are at the hut where the young manager Francesca will welcome us! After the allocation of beds and a little relaxation, everyone enjoys an excellent dinner of typical Ladin dishes
• 9 p.m. - everyone goes to bed. Tomorrow an early wake-up call awaits us!

Programme - Saturday 13 July:

• 5.30 a.m. - wake up! After a hot coffee at the Contrin Refuge, we set off towards the Contrin Dairy and in the company of Konrad we retrieve the cows from the surrounding pastures
• 6 a.m. - it’s time for milking and collecting milk to make excellent cheese
• 7.30 a.m. - as we heat up the milk, we take the opportunity to enjoy a hearty, rustic breakfast with products from the alpine pasture
• 8.15 a.m. - the magic of rennet: Konrad and his family will show us all the secrets of cheese-making, giving us an insight into the production of the delicious "Nostrano" alpine cheeseand "ricotta" (kind of cottage cheese)
• approx. 10 a.m. - after the cheese-making, we set off towards the San Nicolò Pass (approx. 1 hour ascent) and "Sela Brunéch". Along a beautiful trail across the wood, we return to the valley station of "Ciampac" cabin lift (about 3 p.m.); in case of uncertain weather conditions, we will return via the (shorter) forest road no. 602

Price: 115 € for adults (max. 16 places); 95 € for children from 6 to 12 years.

Price includes: dinner, overnight stay and light breakfast at the Contrin Refuge, activities and hearty breakfast at the Malga Contrin, two hikes with a mountain guide. The packed lunch on Saturday is not included in the price, but can be purchased directly at the dairy in the morning. Overnight accommodation in the hut is in multi-bed rooms or dormitories, bathrooms may be shared. Bring your own sleeping bag and towel.

Book now!

The experience can be booked online or in the tourist offices of the valley by 4 p.m. the previous day.

Notes: participation is recommended for children from 6 years well-trained; suitable clothing and hiking shoes. Activity limited to a minimum of 10 participants. In case of bad weather conditions, the experience is cancelled the day before with notification to participants. Languages spoken: Italian and German.