Dolomites

The Dolomites (Dolomiti) are a mountain range in northeastern Italy, spread across South Tyrol, Trentino and the Veneto. Pale limestone towers, sheer walls and jagged peaks rise above green alpine meadows, and at sunrise and sunset the rock glows pink and orange, a phenomenon known as enrosadira. The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most famous landmarks include the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Sella and Sassolungo groups, the Marmolada with its glacier, the Seceda ridge and the Odle peaks above Val di Funes. Alpe di Siusi is the largest high alpine meadow in Europe, and lakes such as Braies, Carezza and Misurina mirror the mountains. The valleys of Val Gardena, Val Badia and Val di Fassa are home to the Ladin people, with their own language and traditions. Show more

In summer, a dense network of trails, huts and long distance routes such as the Alta Via 1 draws hikers, and the via ferrata climbing routes, many built during the First World War, lead to the summits. In winter, the Dolomiti Superski area links a dozen ski regions, including the Sella Ronda circuit. Cortina d'Ampezzo, Ortisei and Canazei are well known resorts, and mountain huts serve canederli, polenta and strudel.

The Dolomites are reached via Bolzano, Brixen, Trento or Belluno, and the passes are crossed by road and bus. Several days to a week suit a visit. Hiking season runs from about mid June to September, the ski season from about December to April, and some passes and huts close between seasons.