Guide Star Mountain - Hiking and Climbing in Italy, Wandern in Italien

Hiking, Climbing, Via Ferrata and Skiing in the Dolomites

The Dolomites owe their name to the Frenchman Déodat Tancrè de Gratet de Dolomieu (1750- 1801) who "discovered" the chemical composition (stratified calcium magnesium carbonate) that renders this rock so different from all the rest. These fabulous vertical reefs glow in the changing light and present a startling and dramatic contrast to the pastoral beauty beneath. Located to the south of the main chain of the Alps, the Dolomites are geographically and culturally at a crossroads between Italy to the south and Tyrol to the north.
In the First Century, the Romans invaded the Alps and remnants of their culture, particularly in the Ladin speaking villages, still remains.
As you wander among the picturesque villages and rolling green pastures, you may notice a sturdy Italian Gothic tower and an onion domed Tyrolean steeple vying for ascendancy with the looming walls of dolomite. In many places, evidence of the gruelling battle between Italy and Austria is still highly visible. It is an irresistibly fascinating, beautiful and photogenic land.
But also a challenging place for climbers and mountaineers from all over the world.
In winter, the green pastures become soft, white pistes, ideal for on piste skiing, while the oods transfrom into fairy tale settings where you will discover during your off-piste skiing adventures behind every corner a new breathtaking panorama.
The rocky spires and sheer flanks seem to soften and invite you for marvellous freeride descends on the slopes of Marmolada, Pordoi and Cristallo gorups.
This all combined with the warmth of the welcoming mountain huts that offer you a well deserved hot chocolate or a grog after your day of fun in the mountains.

Since 2009 the Dolomites are part of the UNESCO world heritage sites