Civetta www.infodolomiti.it THE DOLOMITES, A WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE SITE Listed by UNESCO for their beauty CIVETTA and scientific importance Pag. 3 www.infodolomiti.it TRULY UNIQUE MOUNTAINS On 26 June 2009 the Dolomites became a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. This status was awarded for their uni- quely beautiful landscape and because of the scientific impor- tance of their geology and geomorphology. The Dolomites are listed as a serial property because, despi- te its size and diversity, the entire range is considered to be a single unit. This extraordinary “fossil archipelago” consists of nine areas spread over five Italian provinces (Belluno, Bolzano, Pordenone, Trento, Udine), although the Province of Belluno is home to the greatest number of these magnificent peaks. The Civetta AREA The Civetta landscape is dominated by the majestic mountain of the same name around which cluster Alle- ghe, on the shores of the Lake Alleghe, Val Fiorentina, with Colle Santa Lucia and Selva di Cadore, and Val di Zoldo. We are in the heart of the Dolomites, recognised by UNE- SCO as one of the jewels in the crown of our entire world heritage. It is the ideal doorway for easy access to three of the nine systems recognised by UNESCO: system 3 (Pale di San Martino-Pale di San Lucano-Dolomiti Bellunesi); system 2 (Marmolada); system 1 (Pelmo-Croda da Lago); then system 5 (the Northern Dolomites) is not far away. Day after day, this wonderful mountain landscape offers a kaleidoscope of colour with countless subtle nuances, depen- ding on the time of day: vibrant pink, orange and violet at dawn and sunset, shades of grey and white at the height of the day, then, when the moon casts its chilly glow, colder tints abound. WINTERTIME FUN IN THE SNOW CIVETTA Pag. 5 www.infodolomiti.it SKIING IN SKI Civetta The Civetta slopes make up one of the Dolomites’ largest and most enticing ski resorts. Agordino, Val Fiorentina and Val di Zoldo make up a single high altitude ribbon encircling some of the most majestic peaks in the entire Alpine range. You can ski against breathtaking mountain backdrops on the 80km of slopes with state-of-the-art ski lifts and take breaks in any number of cosy, welcoming mountain refuges. Almost all the pistes are equipped with snow machines and, in Val di Zoldo, the adventure becomes even more romantic with moonlight skiing on 5km of well lit pistes. There are no less than five ski schools with instructors and Alpine guides at the service of both beginners and the most expert skiers. A free shuttle bus service links the resort with other parts of the Dolo- miti Superski area with its amazing 1,200km of slopes. Civetta is also the ideal departure point for the Great War ski tour that guides skiers among the wartime forts and trenches. Cross-country SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING Fans of cross-country skiing have over 50km of stunnin- gly beautiful trails to choose from, suitable for all skill le- vels, from less energetic skiers who just want to enjoy the close contact with nature this activity provides, to more challenging trails for those with more experience. Lastly, for those real addicts who want to keep on skiing long af- ter sunset, there is a 1.2km trail with lighting at night time. Snowboarding enthusiasts have plenty of spaces reserved for them. Below the “Cristelin” chair lift in Zoldo there is a massi- ve snow park, with lighting for night time snowboarding fun: 500 metres of snow park to do your own thing and let yourself go with daredevil acrobatics. In Alleghe, the “Pelmo” chair lift takes you to another superbly equipped snow park with rail, jump and double jump. LOTS MORE BESIDES Hours of fun for kids and grown-ups alike CIVETTA Pag. 7 www.infodolomiti.it FOR KIDS Ski Civetta has always been the ideal family holiday destina- tion. We take special care to cater for the needs of our youngest visitors. State-of-the-art playgrounds at Piani di Pezzè in Alle- ghe and Pescùl offer play spaces specially designed for kids that can also become ski schools for those who want to learn to ski and have loads of fun in the snow in total safety. Zoldo extends a warm welcome to young visitors in the Pal- ma playground, organising the whole week around kids, with countless surprises every day, from games in the snow to pup- pet shows. FUN IN the SNOW The whole area has some magnificent circular trails to follow wearing snowshoes or “ciaspe”, a really original and safe way to explore the snow-covered slopes. Then there is ski- mountaineering, Telemark skiing, sled runs, ice-climbing, go- karting on snow and splash parties for teens. Alleghe boasts a fantastic ice-rink where you can experience the thrill of ice skating to music or watch exciting A-league ice- hockey matches live, as all the thrills and spills happen. SUMMERTIME SPORT MEETS RELAXation IN A natural WONDERLAND CIVETTA Pag. 9 www.infodolomiti.it The mountains IN FULL Bloom There are lots of choices for people looking for a gentle, rela- xing walk such as the tour round the various parts of Selva di Cadore and Colle Santa Lucia, the one from Alleghe to Caprile plus some delightful lakeside strolls. Nordic walking fans just have to pick one or more of the trails put together in recent years. There is always a delightful breeze blowing over Lake Alleghe making it ideal for sailing and wind surfing. Lovers of less fre- netic water sports can take their pick from canoes, kayaks, rowing boats or pedalos and fishing enthusiasts will find top quality trout in the cool waters of the lake. Family RAMBLES All sorts of rambles are on offer to explore the magical Val di Zol- do: the Fagarè nature trail, the little Vach lake in Val Barànce, the tour of the historic barns (Tabià) in Zoldo Alto, the Val Prampèr ramble in the Belluno Dolomite National Park. Then, for a bre- ak, many mountain refuges are within easy reach by ski lift. In summertime too there is lots for kids to do in the Civetta area. In Val di Zoldo, in July and August there are the special “green weeks” (Settimana Verde) organised to help our young visitors learn all about the mountain environment, helping them to respect and love it, with different activities and enter- tainment put on every day of the week to keep all the family amused. After all, the Dolomites are a heritage that belongs to everyone, including the very young. SPORT AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN THE CIVETTA AREA CIVETTA Pag. 11 www.infodolomiti.it HIKING, ROCK-CLIMBING AND OUTINGS ON TWO wheels As well as the famous North-West wall of Monte Civetta, with dozens of technically demanding “vie ferrate” (routes with climbing aids) in scenery of unparalleled beauty, there is lots more besides for all mountain lovers. A hiking route makes it possible to circle the whole Civetta peak, and for climbers there are lots of popular “vie ferrate” on Torri Coldài, Alleghe, Valgrande, Venezia and Trieste. One hiking route that starts from the Staulanza pass, reveals the solitary Pelmo peak in all its glory. Then there is the “Anello Zoldano”, a route in six stages exploring all the peaks towering above the Val di Zoldo and taking in part of Le Alte Vie delle Dolomiti 1 and 3. You can go rock climbing on artificial as well as natural faces, plus Nordic walking and guided walks accompanied by qualified professionals. Mountain bike enthusiasts have countless trails to choose from, of varying length and difficulty. This is also the ideal de- parture point for road tours on motor bikes or bicycles because of its central position for the various Dolomite passes: Duràn, Staulanza, Falzarego, Giau, Pordòi, Campolongo and Fedàia. A taste OF the mountains The local cuisine is based on simple but tasty recipes. Authen- tic products such as speck (bacon), malga cheeses and “ca- sonzièi” pasta stuffed with pumpkin served with ricotta and melted butter and of course polenta, accompanied by game and wild herbs or the delicious “pastin” sausage meat; trout and never forgetting such desserts as “canifli” from Colle San- ta Lucia, “grafogn” from Agordino or ice cream from Val di Zol- do, whose reputation has travelled far beyond Italian borders. To finish, the perfect digestif is a good grappa flavoured with blueberries, raspberries, mountain pine, silver fir, juniper, “cor- nole” and “carugo” (wild fennel). TRADITION REDISCOVERED CIVETTA Pag. 13 www.infodolomiti.it HISTORIC houses and traditions The prized architectural heritage of the Val di Zoldo has been preserved intact, with its numerous traditional houses in wood and stone. A visit to the historic Fornesighe village is a must with its unique carnival procession with everyone sporting hand-crafted wooden masks, headed by the “gnaga”: the cha- racter of an old woman carrying a young girl in her pannier, an allegory for aged winter giving way to the arrival of youthful spring. A fascinating route takes in the old ironworking district on the “Strada della Vena” that linked the mines of Fursìl in Colle San- ta Lucia with Andràz Castle and the “Via del Ferro” that links Arsiera with the mines of Valle Inferna. Well worth a visit are the Museo del Ferro e del Chiodo (Iron and Nail Museum) and the Ethnographic Museum in Val di Goima, for a cross-section of local history, traditions and historic trades. FROM prehistory TO the WONDER OF the stars The entire Civetta area retains traces of human habitation da- ting back millennia.