10 stages: Bletterbach – Sesto Dolomites The Geological Timescale The special feature of this spiral is its non-linear representation of time. The further back you go, the longer the period represented by the respective era. Christjan Ladurner · Corrado Morelli To the right of the image appears the time division of the Triassic period used in the description of the Geostops. Christjan Ladurner, born in 1961, works as a mountain guide, author and first Homo Dolomites C Sapiens photographer. He has spent considerable time in and “over” I Quaternary 2 My the Dolomites; climbing, hiking and taking photos of the O Neogene Z Geotrail e 23 O n Pale Mountains from the air. His excellent local knowledge e g N o e l E was an enormous help in the setting and adjusting of the UNESCO Geotrail a P C 66 Geotrail route. As always, the camera was his constant Dolomites JURASSIC Formation of the Alps Emergence of the the of Emergence s u companion and while neither the weather nor the lighting A hiking trail to discover the fossil archipelago o e Rhaetian c C a UNESCO t e The Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail is an outstanding I conditions were always the finest, his images nevertheless of the World Heritage Site r C allow the breathtaking beauty of the Dolomites to be seen O Norian long-distance hiking trail through a UNESCO 145 Z in the right light. c i O World Heritage Site. This guide provides a detailed s first birds + s Carnian a r S 2 hiking maps u J TRIASSIC description of 10 stages through the landscapes of E Ladinian 1:25,000 201 first c M Corrado Morelli, i s Dolomites Dolomites mammals the South Tyrolean Dolomites, along with photos, s Anisian a i born in Formia in 1963, graduated in geology and gained his r T Scythian maps and sketches. 19 geological highlights, like 252 PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Rome. He has n a i m r PERMIAN lived in the Vinschgau/Venosta Valley for over 20 years and beads on a necklace, give hikers and readers an e P s 299 Rock deposition of the dolomitic succession u has helped compile the new Geological Map of Italy and o first reptiles r e overview of the area’s unique geological history and f i n o South Tyrol. He has co-authored over 20 scientific publica- C b r a I thus explain why the Dolomites have been awarded C tions as well as ten geological maps with explanatory notes 359 n first amphibians a O i n o and a geological guide. v the title of “World Heritage Site”. Z e first terrestrial animals D 415 O n a i r u E l 3500 i S 444 first life L n a athesia-tappeiner.com i first fishes forms c i 1000 A v 17,80 € (I/D/A) o d 485 r P O 4560 900 n a oldest i r P b 541 rocks m a R C AUTONOME PROVINCIA E 600 PROVINZ AUTONOMA 800 C BOZEN DI BOLZANO SÜDTIROL ALTO ADIGE 700 A PROVINZIA AUTONOMA DE BULSAN M B SÜDTIROL R I A N US_Dolomites_Unesco_Geotrail_2_HS.indd 21-25 24.04.18 08:43 10 stages: Bletterbach – Sesto Dolomites The Geological Timescale The special feature of this spiral is its non-linear representation of time. The further back you go, the longer the period represented by the respective era. Christjan Ladurner · Corrado Morelli To the right of the image appears the time division of the Triassic period used in the description of the Geostops. Christjan Ladurner, born in 1961, works as a mountain guide, author and first Homo Dolomites C Sapiens photographer. He has spent considerable time in and “over” I Quaternary 2 My the Dolomites; climbing, hiking and taking photos of the O Neogene Z Geotrail e 23 O n Pale Mountains from the air. His excellent local knowledge e g N o e l E was an enormous help in the setting and adjusting of the UNESCO Geotrail a P C 66 Geotrail route. As always, the camera was his constant Dolomites JURASSIC Formation of the Alps Emergence of the the of Emergence s u companion and while neither the weather nor the lighting A hiking trail to discover the fossil archipelago o e Rhaetian c C a UNESCO t e The Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail is an outstanding I conditions were always the finest, his images nevertheless of the World Heritage Site r C allow the breathtaking beauty of the Dolomites to be seen O Norian long-distance hiking trail through a UNESCO 145 Z in the right light. c i O World Heritage Site. This guide provides a detailed s first birds + s Carnian a r S 2 hiking maps u J TRIASSIC description of 10 stages through the landscapes of E Ladinian 1:25,000 201 first c M Corrado Morelli, i s Dolomites Dolomites mammals the South Tyrolean Dolomites, along with photos, s Anisian a i born in Formia in 1963, graduated in geology and gained his r T Scythian maps and sketches. 19 geological highlights, like 252 PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Rome. He has n a i m r PERMIAN lived in the Vinschgau/Venosta Valley for over 20 years and beads on a necklace, give hikers and readers an e P s 299 Rock deposition of the dolomitic succession u has helped compile the new Geological Map of Italy and o first reptiles r e overview of the area’s unique geological history and f i n o South Tyrol. He has co-authored over 20 scientific publica- C b r a I thus explain why the Dolomites have been awarded C tions as well as ten geological maps with explanatory notes 359 n first amphibians a O i n o and a geological guide. v the title of “World Heritage Site”. Z e first terrestrial animals D 415 O n a i r u E l 3500 i S 444 first life L n a athesia-tappeiner.com i first fishes forms c i 1000 A v 17,80 € (I/D/A) o d 485 r P O 4560 900 n a oldest i r P b 541 rocks m a R C AUTONOME PROVINCIA E 600 PROVINZ AUTONOMA 800 C BOZEN DI BOLZANO SÜDTIROL ALTO ADIGE 700 A PROVINZIA AUTONOMA DE BULSAN M B SÜDTIROL R I A N US_Dolomites_Unesco_Geotrail_2_HS.indd 21-25 24.04.18 08:43 Introduction to this walking guide Long-distance trails are by no means a new invention in The Dolomites are certainly some the most beautiful moun- the Dolomites. Some of the paths, such as the Dolomites tains on Earth: mountain lovers may consequently not Alta Via no. 1, have existed for decades, but until now always find the peace and solitude they seek. Those walking none of the routes has addressed the geology of the “Pale the Geotrail in autumn with stable weather conditions, Mountains”. The Geotrail is thus a combination of long-dis- however, will not only be able to enjoy brightly-coloured tance footpath and educational trail. Each stage includes landscapes, but also quiet and even lonely spaces. The Geostops that are described in detail in the guide and ac- individual stages of this trail are also possible as day tours; companied with illustrative images. Hikers are encouraged you can almost always use public transport to get back to to take a break and learn about the fascinating history of your starting point or to return from the day’s destination. the Dolomites. The Geotrail crosses Dolomites of South The main challenge is nevertheless to attempt the Geotrail Tyrol in ten days, traversing some of the most beautiful in ten days, taking the time to explore a unique world full and geologically interesting mountain ranges in the region. of secrets and for a while escaping the hustle and bustle There are breathtaking views to be had along a route that of our (over-)organised everyday world. features plenty of opposites, while the walking itself is a Christjan Ladurner · Corrado Morelli pleasure along the well-marked, well-maintained paths. US_Dolomites_Unesco_Geotrail_2_HS.indd 26-30 24.04.18 08:43 Introduction to this walking guide Long-distance trails are by no means a new invention in The Dolomites are certainly some the most beautiful moun- the Dolomites. Some of the paths, such as the Dolomites tains on Earth: mountain lovers may consequently not Alta Via no. 1, have existed for decades, but until now always find the peace and solitude they seek. Those walking none of the routes has addressed the geology of the “Pale the Geotrail in autumn with stable weather conditions, Mountains”. The Geotrail is thus a combination of long-dis- however, will not only be able to enjoy brightly-coloured tance footpath and educational trail. Each stage includes landscapes, but also quiet and even lonely spaces. The Geostops that are described in detail in the guide and ac- individual stages of this trail are also possible as day tours; companied with illustrative images. Hikers are encouraged you can almost always use public transport to get back to to take a break and learn about the fascinating history of your starting point or to return from the day’s destination. the Dolomites. The Geotrail crosses Dolomites of South The main challenge is nevertheless to attempt the Geotrail Tyrol in ten days, traversing some of the most beautiful in ten days, taking the time to explore a unique world full and geologically interesting mountain ranges in the region.