The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
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The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site

French naturalist Déodat de Dolomieu (1750-1801) was the first who studied the peculiarities of the bright and shining rock of the wonderful mountains that were, then, to get their mane from him: the Dolomites. Dolomia (dolostone or dolomite rock), as a matter of fact, was the name that was given to the particular kind of rock that is predominant in the region. The name Dolomites gained definitive international validity in 1864 when it appeared on the book The Dolomite Mountains by English naturalists J. Gilbert and G.C. Churchill. The Pail Mountains, as they are also called, are probably the world’s most spectacular mountainous chain. With their unique characteristics they are among the most admired and celebrated mountains and in the centuries thay have attracted hikers and mountaineers from all around the planet.

The Dolomites are made of several mountainous ranges of the Italian Eastern Alps. They rise in the regional districts of Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia among the provinces of Belluno, Bolzano, Trento, Udine, Pordenone, Vicenza and Verona. A small portion of the Dolomites -Lienz Dolomites- rises on Austrian soil.

The alpine area of the Dolomites features a motley and extremely evocative environment: picturesque and welcoming villages, wonderful green valleys, wide and serene alpine pastures, incredibly evocative lakes and rivers, marvelous woods and stupendous glaciers. And then the mountains: a huge number of spectacular peaks that offer majestic and impressive rock walls, wonderful slopes, evocative couloirs, scenic cols and passes and spectacular peaks that offer unforgettable and unmatched landscapes and views. The flora is very rich and incredibly motley; countless tree and flower species decorate the marvelous environments of the Dolomite Range. The fauna, as well, is marvelously rich and motley. It numbers very numerous species of birds among which majestic birds of prey (Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcon Pellegrino for example) stand out, Grouse and Black Grouse and an infinity of other small and big colourful and singing winged creatures. Mammals and rodents are other inhabitants of the Dolomites: deers, roe deers, chamois, steinbocks, wild boars, marmots, badgers, squirrels, foxes, skunks and mustelids of all kinds. In the woods of the dolomites it is also possible to meet lynxes, wolves, brown bears and, with a little luck, golden jackals. Also, there are many very beautiful species of amphibious animals.

On June 26 2009 the Dolomites were declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Dolomites are made of nine main montainous ranges.

Pelmo, Croda da Lago
This range is dominated by the massif of Mount Pelmo (3’168 meters); the summit of the “Caregon del Padreterno” (God’s Throne), so called for its evocative shape resembling a huge chair, was the first conquest of the Dolomite mountaineering (Sir John Ball, 1857). This range offers some among the most amazing and celebrated landscapes of the Dolomites.

Marmolada
Mount Marmolada, the Queen of the Dolomites, gives the name to the range that includes the highest peaks of all the region. It is a marvelous mountain that, through its slopes, features stupendous and incredibly motley environments. This mountainous range offers incredibly evocative mountaineering itineraries.

Pale di San Martino, San Lucano, Belluno Dolomites Bellunesi, Feltre Mountains
This is the second largest range in the Dolomites and it is very motley as far as landscapes and geology are concerned. Overhanging rock walls and deeply cut and engraved valleys as well as prairie of the alpine pastures characterize the landscapes of this range that hosts some among the most renowned and charming peaks of the world’s mountaineering.

Friuli and Oltre Piave Dolomites
This range stretches through the Provinces of Pordenone, Udine and Belluno and it is surrounded by River Piave, River Tagliamento, valley Val Tramontina and valley Val Cellina. Friuli and Oltre Piave Dolomites are an evocative sequence of peaks that offer very beautiful landscapes and views and enchanting environments.

Northern Dolomites
The Northern Dolomites range is the largest of all the dolomite ranges; it includes Dolomiti di Sesto and Dolomiti dei Cadini with their spectacular massifs that rise to the sky from wonderful rocky uplands and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, one of the most renowned dolomite ranges. It includes some of the most admired and sought after peaks of the Dolomites.

Puez-Odle
The Puez-Odle range completely rises within the Province of Bolzano and it stretches inside the protected area of the Puez-Odle Naturtal Park. This mountainous range is squeezed in the middle of three marvelous valleys: lVal di Funes, Val Gardena and Val Badia. It is characterized by majestic massifs, wide and evocative uplands and pleasant pastures and little lakes. Its landscapes are absolutely priceless.

Sciliar-Catinaccio, Latemar
This range stretches among the Provinces of Bolzano and Trento. Mount Sciliar rises among valley Val Gardena, valley Val d’Isarco, the Alpe di Siusi and the Fiè-Siusi upland. It is a marvelous massif of dolomitic rock. Mount Catinaccio rises among the Alpe di Tires, valley Val di Fassa and pass Passo di Carezza; it features a steep and jugged ridge and several peaks that touch the elevation of i 3’000 meters. The Latemar Range rises among valley Val d’Ega (in Alto Adige) and valleys Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa (in Trentino) and it features wonderful peaks among which are Mount Croda di Lausa, the Campanili del Latemar and Mount Schenon. At its northern border the range is closed by lake Lago di Carezza that reflects the towers of the Campanili del Latemar with its clear waters.

Bletterbach
The Bletterbach Range develops in a narrow and evocative cleft that was created as a consequence of the erosion process caused by brook Torrente Bletteed; it is dominated by the bulk of Mount Monte Corno Bianco (Weisshorn) and it is a wonderful area that offers breath-taking landscapes and a very interesting geology.

Dolomiti di Brenta
This range rises at the western border of the Province of Trento. It includes the Grostè Massif, the Sfulmini Chain, the d’Ambiez chain and Mount Cima Tosa. This range hosts some incredibly beautiful and admired mountains that attract enthusiasts and mountaineers from all over the world.

 

The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sport and naturalistic activities in the Dolomites

The Dolomites offer the chance to do an endless number of sport and naturalistic activities in really marvelous and incredibly scenic environments; there are fantastic settings where one can practice all the ski disciplines (Dolomiti Superski is the largest Italian ski area) -downhill and cross country- on track and off-piste, including ski mountaineering, freeride and snowboard and snowshoes excursions. And then trekking, skating, mountain bike, canyoning and rafting besides, of course!, climbing on spectacular mountains through the classic or sports itineraries or through the very beautiful dolomitic via ferratas.

Fassa Guide

The mountain guides of the Fassa Guide mountaineering school organize courses and excursions, both group excursions and with private mountain guide; stupendous activities and itineraries that will accompany you discovering the marvelous treasures of the Dolomites. Fassa Guide is at your disposal to assist you and to follow you in your adventures of freeride skiing, ski mountaineering, climbing and any other kind of excursion.

Get in touch with us for more information on all the activities:

Phone number: +39 349 642 4284
Reservations & info: booking@fassaguide.com