Not a donut - Krapfen. Photo: Shutterstock In the heart of the Dolomites, at about 2,300 meters, lies the Friedrich August mountain refuge, Rifugio Friedrich August, which has gone from a favorite spot for hikers to a truly viral destination.
The reason is surprising and especially sweet: Krapfen, a golden, soft, and airy pastry that arrives at the tables filled with cream and generously covered in powdered sugar.
The Krapf is a pastry that originated in the Austrian and German areas of Central Europe, and its name comes from the German language. It is particularly associated with Austria, which borders Italy to the north, and is also very common in South Tyrol, Südtirol, in northern Italy, a region where German is one of the official languages alongside Italian. In the Dolomites and Alpine regions of northern Italy, it is a well-known and beloved pastry, and therefore it naturally fits into the menus of mountain refuges in the region.
The refuge's star has quickly become a trend on TikTok and Instagram. Videos show trays piled high with the crêpe, travelers coming especially to sample it, and lines forming outside. The combination of the warm pastry, powdered sugar, dramatic peaks, and one of the most beautiful backdrops in Italy is exactly the kind of thing that goes viral.
The refuge is located in the Passo Sella area, between the Val di Fassa and the Val Gardena valleys. It is surrounded by breathtaking views of the Sassolungo mountain range, the Sella group, and the sharp gray peaks that characterize the Dolomites. You can reach the area by car and continue on a short walk, or take the cable car from the village of Campitello di Fassa towards Col Rodella, and from there continue on foot to the refuge.
For those who are already in the area, it is worth noting that you should not limit yourself to just the Krappfen. You can combine a trip to the Sella Pass, stop for viewpoints along the Passa Valley, continue to the Gardena Valley and visit the mountain towns of the area. Landscape lovers can also combine viewpoints towards Sassolungo, hiking trails around the Col Rodella and a drive between the mountain passes that connect the Dolomites.
Some tips for travelers: Arrive relatively early to enjoy the area before it gets crowded, check in advance whether the cable cars are operating, bring a warm layer even in summer because the weather at altitude can change quickly, and wear comfortable walking shoes. It's also recommended to leave time for a real stop at the shelter, not just a quick photo of the pastry.
And that's probably the secret to Friedrich August's success: a pastry rooted in Austrian and German tradition, one of the most spectacular Italian views there is, a mountain refuge at an altitude of 2,300 meters, and a network trend that has made the Krapfchen an integral part of the experience.