Breathtaking views of the Dolomites: experience the Dolomites from a different angle and discover our vantage points, which promise unique impressions. Throughout the Val di Fassa, several vantage points between 2,100 and 3,200 m are waiting for you and will capture you with their fantastic views.
Rare and disturbing beauties have become myths. In the shadow of Sass Pordoi, the Torri del Sella, the Marmolada and the Catinaccio, the inhabitants of the Val di Fassa have set some of the most famous legends of the Dolomites. And today, just reach the natural terraces of these mountains, which at sunrise and sunset the sun’s rays color the warm shades of Enrosadira, to understand the love of the Ladins for these corners of paradise where you can enjoy beautiful views . No one is allowed to reach Val di Fassa without appearing, at least once, on some “belvedere“, from where unique landscapes are dominated and the gaze is lost to 360 degrees between peaks and expanses that seem inexplicably have no borders. Modern cableways are in operation in summer and winter to ensure everyone the opportunity to admire the grandeur of the alpine environment and impersonate for a moment the sovereignty of King Laurin, with the whole Dolomite kingdom at their feet.
Description: Sass Pordoi, in the upper Val di Fassa, is a unique destination in the world, easy to reach thanks to the cableway (open both in summer and winter) and from Pordoi Pass (12 km from Canazei), in just 4 minutes, leads to 2,950 altitude meters. Once at the top, between stones and boulders that emerged from the sea millions of years ago, the landscape is truly breathtaking: in front of the eyes, Marmolada, Sassolungo, Catinaccio and, slightly further apart, the Ampezzo basin and the outcrops south of the Ortler and Cevedale groups to the Swiss and Austrian Alps. From the top of Pordoi you can also clearly see the numerous excursions and equipped routes that “climb” the Sella group and the other mountains of the Ladin valley on the dolomite walls.
Description: in Val di Fassa, Canazei in both summer and winter is a popular destination for everyone; comfortable lifts allow the immediate arrival in the mountains, in the Belvedere basin. From Col dei Rossi, at an altitude of 2,382 meters (easily reached by cable car), you can enjoy a breathtaking view; you are completely immersed in nature and surrounded by the most beautiful mountains: the Marmolada Queen of the Dolomites, the imposing Sassolungo, the very famous Gruppo del Sella and clearly on the horizon the other peaks are the setting for this enchanting place.
Description: in the center of Val di Fassa is the home of King Laurino, where the legendary sovereign of the Pallidi Mountains created his “rose garden”. The Catinaccio-Rosengarten (Unesco Natural Heritage) is one of the most fascinating mountain groups in the Alps. In summer it is a world of meadows, rock and fairytale that really deserves to be explored, starting from the panorama. With a modern cableway, directly from Vigo di Fassa, in just 3 minutes, you reach the Ciampedìe belvedere at an altitude of 2,000 meters. Here you can enjoy a 360 ° view of the Catinaccio and Sella groups, the Torri del Vajolet, the Sassolungo, the Costabella Crests, the Latemar, the Marmolada, the Buffaure and the Monzoni. The Ciampedìe basin, a wonderful natural playground for children, is the starting point for walks and treks of varying difficulty. In winter, however, it is a privileged spot to admire the whitewashed peaks of the Dolomites and, why not, to enjoy some nice skiing on the famous slopes “Tomba” or “Thöni”.
Description: Passo Sella (2.244 m) is a stretch that separates the Sassolungo massif from the Sella group and marks the natural boundary between the Val di Fassa and the nearby Val Gardena. It can be reached from Canazei by car, in about 15 minutes, partly along the centuries-old Strada delle Dolomiti, also famous by the repeated passage of the Giro d’Italia.
Description: with its 3,342 m is the highest peak of the Dolomites. The Marmolada is a real Queen, with a mantle: her glacier. A mountain protagonist of fundamental steps in the history of mountaineering and skiing. It can be reached from Canazei by the state road that leads to Passo Fedaia, at 2,057 meters. Once you get to the alpine pass, you will be enraptured in front of the mountain as it is reflected in the artificial lake of Fedaia. Here there are cozy shelters and also the Museum of the Great War 1914-1918 (open from mid May to September), edited by Andrea De Bernardin and the result of the careful collection of war finds found right on the front of the Marmolada, where it was built by the military Austro-Hungarians is the “City of Ice”, a dense network of tunnels and watchtowers.
Description: the Ciampac basin (2,152 m), in the shadow of the summit of Colac and Crepa Neigra, was once a glacial cirque. Today the resort is reached in a few minutes from Alba di Canazei by cable car, in winter it is an important ski area connected directly to Pozza-Buffaure and Canazei-Belvedere (Skitour Panorama), while in summer it is the ideal place to spend a day outdoors with children, thanks to the excellent exposure to the sun, the presence of shelters and a well-equipped play area.
The peaks of the Dolomites are also the kingdom of many picturesque lakes, in whose waters are reflected intense green woods and imposing rocky spiers. Enchanted oases, which invite you to splash around in the water, stop and relax. Places with a natural charm that excite big and small tourists on holiday in the Dolomites.
Description. On your holiday in Val di Fassa you can not miss a trip to the most enchanting alpine lake of the Dolomites, Lake Carezza! The small mountain lake owes its fame to the green and limpid water and to the splendid panorama with Catinaccio and Latemar that are reflected in it. Thanks to its fairytale nature, the lake is part of many Trentino legends and has been an inspiration for many famous writers and painters.
Description: Lake Fedaia is a lake in the Dolomites, located immediately west of the Fedaia pass. It is located in the municipality of Canazei, in the province of Trento.
Panorama of the lake. There are actually two lakes of Fedaia, separated by an artificial dam called Controdiga di Maria al Lago. The best known and most extensive is the western one, which originated after the construction of a dam in 1956; the other, of natural origins has decidedly smaller dimensions and has been formed due to a glacial morainic barrier. They extend between the Fedaia Pass and the end of the Val de Ciampié, close between the Marmolada massif (to the south) and the Mesola massif (to the north).
The artificial lake stretches for about 2 km in an east-west direction up to the 57 m high dam, 622 m long and 42 m thick at the base. The attached hydroelectric power plant allows the production of 20 MW of energy.
Description: Lake D’Antermoia is located in the Massif of the Catinaccio which is part of the group of the Dolomites. The lake is of glacial origins, during the thaw period the lake is fed by small springs of the Ruf de Antermoia that flows largely underground, and then become emissary with the stream Ruf de Udai, giving the particularity to this lake not to dry up in the summer period as it happens to other lakes of glacial origin. Near the lake there is the Antermoia Refuge.
Itinerary: From the village of Pera, here there is a free parking with the departure of the Vajolet chairlift, and the departure of the shuttle buses that arrive in Gardeccia. Arrived at the Gardeccia Refuge 1948m s.l.m. you walk on the path sat 546 is a road with a breathtaking landscape on the peaks of the Catinaccio Group, which takes us in about 50 minutes to the Vajolet Refuge 2243m s.l.m.- Rifugio Preuss 2248m. s.l.m. that are in front of the Cime del Vajolet, the two shelters between them are 5 minutes away. From the hut you take the path 584 sat in about 1h10 you get to the Rifugio Passo Principe 2601m. s.l.m. under the peaks-Piccola-Grande Valbona Along the trail you can also see sculptures by artists of DolomiaArt (present until late summer). From the hut you continue on the path 584 sat in about 30 minutes you are at Passo D’Antermoia 2770m s.l.m. and in about 1h20 at the Antermoia Refuge. The trail climbs under the Catinaccio D’antermoia bypassing it. Arrived at the Passo D’Antermoia, we reach the Vallone D’Antermoia 2530m. s.l.m. a valley of glacial formation, the path is initially downhill and then flat, until you get to Lake D’Antermoia, from here in about 10 minutes you reach the Antermoia Refuge 2496m. s.l.m.
Return: From the hut you take the path 580 sat that is part of the paths of Via Alpina, Passo di Dona-Mazzin-Fontanazzo, arrived at the Passo di Dona 2516m. s.l.m. continue towards Val de Udai – Val de Dona – Val Duron. The path from the first on a gravelly road descends towards the Val de Dona, which is a flat expanse of meadows and pastures, after about 40 minutes there is a crossroads and continue on the path sat 580 Camerloi- Val Udai- Mazzin. In about 15 minutes you arrive at Camerloi 2200m. s.l.m. Here begins the descent towards the Val Udai path sat 580 Val Udai- Pian di Udai- Mazzin. The path descends into the valley with a good slope follows partly Ruf de Udai torrent, to help the descent there are some stretches that are served by wire rope. Along the sentiro there is also a makeshift bivouac and you can admire the Spina da Lèch waterfall. The path begins to become wooded and you get to the Soscorza crossroads 1720m s.l..m you continue on 580 towards Mazzin. Shortly after about 15 minutes there is a fork, you leave the sat 580 and continue on the path 579 which leads us to Pera in about 40 minutes. The path continues in the woods to the gates of the village of Pera, crosses the village until you reach the shuttle bus parking lot.
Difficulty: EE experienced hikers Travel time: 5-6 hours
Description: Lake Braies is a fantastic natural lake in South Tyrol. In summer, the Braies Lake is emerald colored, in winter it is covered by a blanket of ice and snow. The lake, in every season of the year, is the starting point for walks, mountaineering, snowshoeing, etc. … Even Nordic Walking enthusiasts will have the opportunity to find numerous routes in the immediate vicinity.
Some salient data:
Training. The legend tells of savages who went to the mountains of the Valle di Braies in search of gold and stones. Greedy and envious shepherds of the valley tried to steal their treasures, but failed because, to protect the treasure, the latter opened underground fountains and threw the treasure into Lake Braies.
Nature is the true protagonist. In the summer you can use nostalgic rowboats that until a hundred years ago were the only way to reach the opposite bank. Today, the bravest ones plunge into the icy and clear water and then let themselves be warmed by the sun. Others still relax fishing.
Film set of the television series “Un Passo dal cielo”. The Valle di Braies, in particular the Lago di Braies, are part of the film set of the television series “Un passo dal cielo” with Terence Hill. Between 2010 and 2016, four series of about 50 episodes were shot. In the film, however, the lake is called “Lago di San Candido.”
A paradise for children. It is known that nature is the best playground for children and the lake offers special ways of exploring: let your feet dangle in the water, run barefoot on the rock, on the wood, on meadows, roots and on the soft sand. From early June until the beginning of October, every Friday at 10.00 am children can spend a day of adventure at Lake Braies!
Description: Lake Misurina is one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. It is a natural lake located in Cadore, in the province of Belluno, at 1,754 meters above sea level and is very large. It has a perimeter of 2.6 kilometers and is about 5 meters deep. In summer it is an important tourist destination, but even in winter usually the lake completely freezes and becomes completely walkable.
Around this lake there is a legend that increases its interest even more. The legend tells the story of Misurina, the only daughter of King Sorapiss, governor of the lands between the Tofane, the Antelao, the Marmarole and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Misurina was a spoiled child, very capricious and spiteful, but she was also a very pretty girl. For King Sorapiss, a widower, he was the only reason for living. The king thus justified the child’s behavior by blaming everything on the child’s suffering from the lack of a mother figure.
At the age of eight years of age, Misurina became aware of the existence of a fairy who lived on Monte Cristallo and who possessed a magic mirror, which gave the power to read the thoughts of anyone who is reflected in it. Misurina begged her father for a long time to get her the mirror, which she wanted at any cost, until Sorapiss gave up and accompanied her.
The fairy resisted for a long time, because she did not want to please that capricious child but, in the face of Sorapiss’s tears, she ended up acquiescing, putting however a condition, hoping that the king and her daughter would give up. The fairy possessed a beautiful garden full of beautiful flowers on Monte Cristallo, but the excess of sun faded them prematurely. So he asked, in exchange for the mirror, that Sorapiss would agree to be turned into a mountain, to protect the fairy garden with his own shadow. The king consented.
When Misurina received the mirror and was informed of the covenant, she did not disappear, on the contrary, she was enthusiastic about the idea that her father would become a mountain on which she could run and play to make her happy. But in that same moment, while Misurina contemplated the mirror, Sorapiss began to transform, swelling and changing color: her hair became trees and wrinkles crevasses.
Misurina suddenly realized that she was standing high up on the mountain that had been her father and, looking down, she was seized with dizziness and fell on deaf ears. King Sorapiss, in his last moments of life, had to witness helplessly to the tragic death of his daughter, so that from his still open eyes so many tears flowed to form two streams, which gathered at the bottom forming an immense lake, which took the name of Misurina. The mirror, falling, broke between the rocks and the fragments were dragged downstream by the tears of the king’s tears, where still today they give multicolored reflections and that still make the Lake of Misurina a unique place in the world.
Description: Lake Sorapis is one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites. Big and small visitors are enchanted in front of this turquoise lake, at 1,900 m altitude. It is a well-known excursion destination especially in summer, when the temperatures at higher altitudes become milder. The pastel colors of the turquoise lake, with white rocky walls and gentle pastures in the background, make this place truly magical. Here you can let the spirit wander and, surrounded by the imposing peaks of the Dolomites, forget for a while the stress and the frenzy of everyday life. Located just 150 meters from the Vandelli refuge, this lake in the Dolomites can only be reached on foot. In the province of Belluno, between Misurina and Cortina d’Ampezzo, we meet the Lake of Sorapis, reachable, during a holiday in the Dolomites, from the Tre Croci Pass. The hiking trail n. 215 leads, in a pleasant and light ups and downs, directly to the Lake. And for those who appreciate a somewhat more challenging hiking holiday, we recommend that you follow the path first to the Forcella Marcoira and then continue up to the mountain lake. Once you reach your destination, you can relax along the flat shore, or even have a picnic. To return to your lodgings – hotels or apartments – you will follow the hiking trail no. 215.
Description of the route: The starting point of this excursion is the Tre Croci Pass, which is located in the province of Belluno between Misurina and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Here you first follow the sign “Rifugio Vandelli”, up to the bar, where then the sign with the sign n. 215 points towards the Lago di Sorapis. A pleasant hike along the path will lead you in slight ups and downs almost all through the forest, then lead to another path slightly stony and a bit ‘uphill. The path now runs over the edge of the forest and in some places is a bit exposed, but provided with safety ropes. Afterwards you continue more comfortably to the Rifugio Vandelli, from where you can reach this turquoise blue mountain lake in a few minutes.
Technical data of the excursion:
Description: Cortina d’Ampezzo is a town that can boast a thousand-year history and a long tradition in tourism. Today it looks with optimism to the future also thanks to the assignment of the Alpine Ski World Championships of 2021 The beauty of the Valle d’Ampezzo, the wide and sunny basin that hosts Cortina, attracts visitors from all over the world at any time of the year. It is surrounded by the Dolomites, UNESCO heritage. Monumental peaks like the Cristallo, the Tofane, the Cinque Torri, the Pomagagnon, the Becco di Mezzodì … are among the most beautiful mountains in the world!
Description: The Tre Cime di Lavaredo in South Tyrol are the symbol of the Dolomites and a true Highlight landscape area of the Tre Cime / 3 Zinnen in Alta Pusteria. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are located in the Tre Cime Natural Park and, together with other Dolomite peaks, in 2009 were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. They can be reached from the lake of Misurina, from Auronzo di Cadore, from Dobbiaco and from the Val di Sesto and allow a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and of the Tre Cime Natural Park.
The three rocky obelisks of the Dolomites consist of limestone:
Panoramic points. The most famous vantage points are those that can be obtained from the Val di Landro, near the old town (now there is a hotel) where there is a side profile of the Tre Cime, or from the Auronzo refuge or from the Antonio refuge Locatelli. But perhaps the best view of the Tre Cime is from Mount Piana and from the top of some peaks, which stand in its vicinity, like the Tower of Toblin or Mount Paterno.
Description: The SECEDA is located on the sunny side of Val Gardena, in the middle of the Cisles-Odle Nature Park. The panorama that can be admired from the summit includes the Dolomites and all the South Tyrolean mountains – from the Ortles to the Vetta d’Italia, up to the Brenta Dolomites (Adamello).
Description: The Alpe di Siusi with its 56 km² is the largest plateau in Europe and a visit can not miss, where it will leave enthusiasts, families and gourmets thanks to breathtaking landscapes and giving many emotions in contact with nature. A visit to the Alpe di Siusi offers breathtaking views overlooking the nearby Dolomite peaks of Sassolungo, Sassopiatto and Sciliar. In addition, 300 days of sunshine a year, a rich flora characterized by about 790 different species and the Dolomites, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, make the largest plateau in Europe particularly enchanting. In summer and winter, it is wonderful to start discovering the extraordinary landscape of the Alpe di Siusi on foot, by mountain bike, on skis or snowboard, without limiting the intensity of the “natural” emotions that you can experience.
Description: A visit to Val di Funes means to find peace and relaxation in one of the most suggestive Dolomites valleys and immerse yourself in untouched nature. The Odle group with its distinct rocky peaks “crowns” the valley. The valley of Funes branches off between Bressanone and Chiusa, and from Chiusa (523 m asl) to the east, to the last town, Santa Maddalena (St. Magdalena, 1,339 m asl), one of the access points to the natural park Puez-Odle.
Val di Funes is a real gem: small, cozy, green, from the river of Funes up to the pastures at the foot of the Pale Mountains. It is always a thrill to suddenly see the huge gray pebble cones dominated by overhanging walls, rocky spikes and peaks which, depending on the time, take on an ocher, pale, pink or copper red color. The sun turns the Odle into a spectacle of colors. The three inviting villages of the valley floor are Tiso, San Pietro and Santa Maddalena. Well-equipped for both summer and winter tourism and to welcome hikers and mountaineers, the Val di Funes, with its countless paths and via ferrata, mountain yokes, glacial cirques and peaks, is a true paradise for mountain lovers.
Description: BOLZANO IS CULTURE. Thanks to its two entities, Bolzano is able to amaze tourists coming from everywhere. The two faces, one Northern-European and the other more Mediterranean, make up a perfect union that can be traced back to the city’s historical-artistic beauties. For centuries Bolzano has been the privileged center for trade between Italy and Germany. Today the capital of South Tyrol is a cosmopolitan city that knows how to be lively, cheerful, modern and refined at the same time!
BOLZANO IS TO TASTE. The presence of the Central European and Mediterranean tradition is also traceable and above all in the South Tyrolean cuisine, as well as in that of Bolzano. Dishes with an authentic flavor inebriate the air in every season. The appointment with the Törggelen is certainly not to be missed. In the autumn season the South Tyrolean farms open their doors to offer typical seasonal products, such as chestnuts, must, speck and new wine.
BOLZANO IS TO LIVE. In Bolzano the landscape offers the right compromise between living spaces and green areas. The city has multiple routes for those who prefer to take a walk without getting too far from the center; at the same time, the most demanding hikers can use one of the three cableways to reach the plateaus that surround the capital. Here nature has no equal!
BOLZANO IS TRADITION What better way to appreciate culture than through the many events that the city of Bolzano organizes. Just think of the Christmas markets, the flower festival in spring, the .Bolzano summer, the Südtirol Jazz Festival Alto Adige and many other events. Do not miss the guided tours through the “Places of Love” and the fun events for children of the “Family Festival”.
BOLZANO IS CITY OF CONGRESSES. Bolzano is, among other things, a true congress center that offers a rich network of hotels and multi-purpose centers, suitable for those arriving in the South Tyrolean capital for business. The city lends itself without any doubt to events and business meetings, proposing always modern and functional services.
Description: Merano is a small town located in the heart of South Tyrol. Here 40,000 inhabitants live in German and Italian mother tongue, this peaceful coexistence guarantees a unique mix of cuisine, culture, languages and customs. The medieval old town and the surrounding districts are surrounded by medium and high mountains and characteristic valleys. For 200 years, Merano is a popular tourist destination, known for its good weather (300 sunny days a year!), Its cuisine and the many different possibilities for sporting and cultural activities.
Things to see. The amazing botanical gardens, the ultra-modern baths, the historic arcades, the cool walks, a look on Merano from the tower. Here is the Trauttmansdorff Castle and the Sissi Gardens.
Description: In Val Venosta, in the Resia lake, in front of the majestic mountains of the Vallelunga there is a bell tower that emerges from the water, making the place fabulous and fascinating. The story linked to this picture postcard, unfortunately, is less idialliaca. The lake of Resia is the largest in South Tyrol in the municipality of Curon and the submerged bell tower refers to a sad memory. Here once, in fact, there were three natural lakes. Beyond that of Resia there were the Curon and the San Valentino alla Muta. In 1950, they were unified with the construction of a dam. The work caused the complete submergence of the ancient town of Curon, which was transferred elsewhere. The barrier cost about 25 billion of the old lire and was at the center of the wrath of the inhabitants, who even turned to the Pope to avoid its construction. Attempts were in vain and the water invaded houses and cultivated land. Among the beauties that were lost there was also a church of the fourteenth century, of which today you can admire the bell tower that emerges from the lake of Resia. Only in winter, when the lake becomes frozen, the bell tower can be reached on foot but unfortunately, numerous water infiltrations threaten its integrity. Today the bell tower of Curon is one of the most evocative points of the whole area. Legend has it that, in the harsh winter nights, someone still hears his bells ringing.
Take the opportunity to visit and discover these magical places and plan your next mountain holiday in the fabulous Fassa Dolomites!
Fam. Planchensteiner
Strèda de Ciampac 16
38032 Canazei TN
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