Friday, August 14, 2009

Hiking in the Dolomites

I am still in the North of Veneto, in the National Park of the Dolomiti Bellunesi, recentely a Unesco site. I came here before, this is a great hike, and I wanted to return with my family now that my children are good walkers.

From the city of Feltre we took a bus to Passo Croce D'Aune (20 minutes) and then walked up towards the refuge Giorgio Dal Piaz, 1993 m.



A third of all of Italian flora can be found in these mountains, many species endemic, and the orchids alone count 49 species, some with a strong scent of vanilla, like this one.


In summer many cows are taken up here to eat Alpine grass and all these precious flowers. They live in manghe, summer stations, where they are milked, and cheese from raw milk is made on site.




The views are spectacular, and the path not too difficult.



There is a metal road, but many paths cut through it and, although steep, they greatly shorten the ascent.







Finally we reach the refuge, after 3 hours walk.

Waiting for us there is a warm fireplace, and cold local beer, Birra Dolomiti, made by Birreria Pedavena.

Also Anna Mainardi, who looks after the refuge, is famous for her wonderful cakes!


A good rest and then dinner, fresh tagliatelle with mushrooms,

and then polenta with grilled local cheese

We sleep confortably in bunk beds, and the morning after we have breakfast, with cakes, and bread with butter from the malga (alpine dairy) which is 1 km away.


Here is Anna (left) and her team.

Another walk up hill toward mount Pavione

and more precious flowers like the Cortusa matthioli (above)
and, of course, the sweet Edelweiss.



Finally we turn back, and on the way we eat many wild strawberries. So delicious and fragrant...


Back in Feltre I am still dreaming about mountain berries...
luckily I can still get many in the markes and shops here. These are local, all from within the National Park. I love mountain food!


For more info about the Dolomiti Bellunesi National park click here and here
Rifugio Giorgio Dal Piaz
1993 Vette Feltrine
Contact Anna Mainardi
+39 348 2208808 - +39 0439 9065

7 comments:

  1. yummmmm.... berries. So looking forward to the season for them here. Hopefully to pick some too.

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  2. such pretty pics....

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  3. Woah ! The views are really breathtaking and the flora interesting !

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  4. Thank you all, it was a wonderful trip!

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  5. A croce d'Aune bei ricordi di infanzia, in vacanza con i miei genitori! e rifugio dal Piaz! c'รจ stato mio marito 3 settimane fa! belle le foto dei fiori! rivedo le "mie montagne" qui da te, bello no??? ^^

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  6. I've been thoroughly enjoying your Italy posts Alessandra, as my fiance and I are going to make it a big chunk of our honeymoon. This hike (and eating fresh porcini!) are at the top of the list of things to do. Thanks for the beautiful and very informative posts! We're really wanting to experience the less touristy and busy parts of Italy and your blog has been perfect for that! Cheers!

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