Shorter Walks in the Dolomites. Gillian Price
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Название: Shorter Walks in the Dolomites

Автор: Gillian Price

Издательство: Ingram

Жанр: Спорт, фитнес

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isbn: 9781783621798

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СКАЧАТЬ the east lie the spectacular Sesto Dolomites. The well-served picturesque towns of San Candido (trains and buses) and Sesto (buses) make good bases for forays into this group, and they have a good range of accommodation and shops. Walks 6 and 8 begin their exploration here, while Walk 7 starts out from Passo Monte Croce Comelico, a road pass (easily reached by bus) on the easternmost edge of the Sesto group, with a hotel and café.

      The southern realms of the Sesto group can be accessed from Misurina, a handy small-scale resort with summer bus services, a scattering of guesthouses and cafés, a grocery store and a camp site. It stands on the shores of an attractive much-photographed lake, and has plenty to keep walkers busy for a couple of days as Walks 9, 10, 11 and 12 begin close by. To the southwest, a short bus ride or drive away is Passo Tre Croci and the start of Walk 13 to the Sorapiss.

      Branching north from Misurina, you come to the Val di Landro at Carbonin. A short distance on is a small lake at Landro, with its café, bus stop and hotel, where Walk 5 begins. Reversing direction and heading southwest via the watershed at Cimabanche, the Walk 4 turn-off is reached. It is also accessible from Fiames, which is towards Cortina.

      In the Italian-speaking Veneto region and located at a strategic intersection of roads leading in from the Dolomite passes, the attractive and renowned jet-set resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo is an excellent base for walkers for a couple of nights, although it can get rather busy (not to mention pricey). It has shops galore, hotels and year-round long-distance bus links as well as local summertime runs to strategic Passo Falzarego and nearby Passo di Valparola, where there are also guesthouses and cafés. Accessible from Cortina are Walks 13 and 19–26, the latter group leading to the famous Cinque Torri, Nuvolau, Tofane, Lagazuoi and neighbours.

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      At Forcella Col Negro the Civetta’s western wall comes into view (Walk 17)

      The scenic Val del Boite leads southeast to Pieve di Cadore, the birthplace of Renaissance artist Titian. A handy place for exploring the Cadore district, it has grocery shops, hotels and year-round bus services. Nearby, at the foot of the Marmarole, is the railhead of Calalzo (the start of Walk 14), while slightly further northeast is Domegge (Walk 15).

      From Pieve di Cadore, the Piave river valley heads south to Longarone, site of the 1963 Vajont dam tragedy – when entire villages were wiped out by a massive flooding caused by a landslide. The Val di Zoldo branches northwest here, climbing past a string of quiet, hospitable villages in the shadow of the magnificent Pelmo and the Civetta. Forno di Zoldo (hotels, groceries, bus) is the gateway for Walk 16 while Passo Staulanza (guesthouse, summer bus) at the valley head is the start of Walk 18.

      Running almost parallel to Val di Zoldo is the Cordevole river valley, which links the outskirts of Belluno to downbeat Alleghe (via Cencenighe) at the foot of the majestic Civetta. This small lakeside village offers buses, shops and accommodation as well as the cable car and lifts used in Walk 17. Further along, at Caprile, is a fork west for the modest resort of Malga Ciapela (bus, hotel, shops), where Walk 43 sets off by cable car to the dizzy heights of the glaciated Marmolada, the loftiest mountain in the Dolomites; Walk 44 passes along its south face.

      Lying due south is the sprawling, spectacular Pale di San Martino group, which is easily reached from the railhead of Feltre thanks to year-round buses. (A tad above Feltre itself is Passo Croce d’Aune, where there is a hotel and summer bus, and the start of strenuous Walk 48.) Useful nearby towns are Fiera di Primiero (accommodation, shops), for Walk 47, and San Martino di Castrozza (hotels, shops and lifts), for Walk 46. Higher up is Passo Rolle (accommodation and cafés), for Walk 45.

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      The curious Campanile di Popena (Walk 12)

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      The path round Lago di Carezza (Walk 38)

      To the north of the Marmolada, the Livinallongo valley leads to the village of Arabba, where a road zigzags west to Passo Pordoi for hotels, bus and cafés. Popular Walk 41 starts off here and Walk 40 ventures onto the superb, if desolate, Sella massif.

      From Arabba the road winds north through Passo di Campolungo to the start of important Val Badia, the heart of the Ladin-language district. It is justifiably popular and rather busy at times. Corvara, Pedraces and San Cassiano are well-served, handy bases with a huge choice of accommodation, good bus links and plenty of shops. Walk 27 starts at Pedraces. The valley’s eastern branch climbs to Passo di Valparola (summer bus, guesthouse) and Passo Falzarego, where Walks 20–26 can also be accessed.

      At San Martino, towards the northern extremity of Val Badia, is the steep road west for Passo delle Erbe (hotel, café, summer bus) and Walk 28 around belvedere Sass de Putia, the northernmost Dolomite. The road continues down to marvellous Val di Funes and off-the-beaten track Santa Maddalena (bus, accommodation, shops). Nearby, Walk 29 wanders along the edge of the beautiful Odle Dolomites.

      Further south, and accessible from Bolzano in the busy Val d’Isarco, is renowned Val Gardena, dotted with bustling resort villages. Lovely Ortisei, Santa Cristina and (smaller) Selva are perfect places for a base as they offer accommodation, shops and year-round buses, and are handy for Walks 30 and 31. Higher up, at Passo Sella (summer bus, accommodation), is the start of Walk 39 around the Sassopiatto-Sassolungo.

      Linked with Val Gardena, and also easy to get to from Bolzano, is the extensive Alpe di Siusi upland, dominated by the Sciliar. A good base for Walks 32 and 34 is either the lower village of Siusi or the upper resort of Compaccio. At the mountain foot is the photogenic village of Fiè (year-round bus, hotels, cafés, shops), the start for Walk 33, which wanders over meadows to a castle.

      A short distance south, rural Val di Tires branches off Val d’Isarco and climbs towards the flanks of the magnificent Catinaccio; Walk 35 begins at quiet San Cipriano (year-round buses). The road proceeds on to Passo Costalunga (hotel, summer bus), a suitable base for Walk 37 (you can also get here by road and bus from Bolzano via Val d’Ega and Nova Levante). Slightly lower down, at pretty Lago di Carezza, is Walk 38.

      From the pass the road continues down to Val di Fassa and Vigo di Fassa (year-round buses, hotels, shops) with its cable car and access for Walk 36. Close-by is Pozza di Fassa and lift access for Walk 42. Popular Val di Fassa has year-round bus runs from the city of Trento and the main railway, and plenty of accommodation and visitor services.

      Down in the Val d’Adige, at Trento, year-round buses head west to the intersection at Ponte Arche and access for Walk 50 up dramatic Val d’Ambiez and the southern flanks of the spectacular Brenta Dolomites. The road continues via Tione before veering north along Val Rendena to the renowned resort of Madonna di Campiglio. Along with buses, plenty of accommodation and shops, there is a gondola lift here for Walk 49.

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      The magnificent Tre Cime from Rifugio Auronzo (Walk 9)

      The rocks of the Dolomites were formed some 230 million years ago, when a shallow tropical sea covered the area and deposits of coral and sea creatures gradually built up on the sea floor. It was not until 65 million years ago that the area underwent the dramatic tectonic events that led to the creation of the alpine chain, when rock slabs began to be upended and lifted hither and thither. A succession of ice ages followed, and erosion from snow, rain and wind continues to shape the wonderful mountains visitors see today.

      However, the ‘Pale Mounts’ – as they were first known СКАЧАТЬ