This article originally appeared in the April 2010 issue of Dream of Italy.
Despite dozens of visits to Italy, I’ll readily confess that the Dolomite Mountains (Dolomiti) in the northeastern corner of the country had barely registered on my radar. I was familiar with Cortina d’Ampezzo of course, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics. Plus I knew that Cortina was a famously luxurious town with a reputation for chic après-ski partying à la Aspen. One winter, I thought, I might come to Cortina to ski — after I advanced a bit in my talents and when I could afford just the right skiwear (keeping in mind la bella figura).
Instead, I was invited to visit the Dolomites on a hiking vacation early last September. Apparently, there’s great debate about whether the mountains are truly more beautiful in the summer or winter (an unusual September snowstorm gave me an inkling of what it’s like in both seasons) and I jumped at the chance to see for myself. While better-known hiking trails in other parts of the Alps are frequently crowded in the summer, the Dolomites remain something of an unknown – especially to foreign sports enthusiasts. Though that may be changing; a few months before my arrival, the Dolomites were named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
These mountains were named after Deodat de Dolomieu, a French geologist who was the one to discover in 1789, an unusual carbonate rock that had foreign properties. “Dolomite” became the name of both the mineral, as well as the mountain range where he found it. A high manganese content gives the gray rock a uniquely gold and then pinkish hue as the sun rises and sets. The Dolomites sit on the current border between Italy and Austria. Much of the area once belonged to Austria and was annexed by Italy after World War I. There’s also a native local population, the Ladini, who have been here since Roman times. Everywhere – though it varies from town to town – there’s a mixing of three cultures and three languages.
What surprised me about the Dolomites before I saw their jagged edges in the distance? The fact that I could meet my hiking companions at Venice‘s Marco Polo Airport and be in the mountains in about two hours. I had never considered combining a trip to Venice with a mountain adventure; a contrast of experiences worth considering. (Cortina is actually in the region of Veneto while most of the Dolomites are across the border in Alto Adige.)
Even if you’re wary of renting a car in Italy it is certainly possible to get to, and around, the Dolomites using an excellent bus system (equipped for bringing your bicycle along). There’s a bus from Venice’s airport to Cortina that costs 20€ each way (dolomitibus.org). Plus if you hire a hiking guide, he or she will pick you up at your hotel and provide your transportation for the day. Ski lifts also help get you where you’re going in the mountains. The Sella Ronda circuit – a famous skiing route also used by hikers and bikers – connects four Dolomite valleys via lifts.
An Introduction
Pulling up to Cortina, the town looked much like I had imagined, blooming flowers, Alpine architecture, neat and clean streets and fashionable shops in the center of a mountain meadow, with some of the Dolomites’ 18 peaks in the background.
My group of travel professionals and hiking enthusiasts dropped our bags off at small, central hotel went to a nearby pizzeria for a bite to eat and to meet Agustina Lagos Marmol, the owner of Dolomite Mountains, s.r.l. and the leader of our trip. A tall, fit Argentinian, Marmol originally settled in the Dolomites more than 15 years ago as it is the birthplace of her former husband Marcello Cominetti, a an internationally renowned mountain climber. Cominetti helps to lead some of her groups and their 8-year-old daughter, an experienced outdoorswoman already, is often in tow.
Marmol speaks with such passion about these mountains, you would have thought she was born here into one of the families that goes back hundreds of years. “The Dolomites are unique in the world. No mountains offer such combination of rock beauty and excellent mountain services. The terrain is great for hiking, climbing, biking (mountains and road), via ferrata (the place where they have its origin from) and skiing. The Italian and Austrian culture blend with the local language in the area (Ladin) and this is reflected in every day people’s life,” she says.
Marmol knows what she is talking about because she has lived and worked all over the world and climbed, hiked and biked in some of the Earth’s most magnificent destinations. She began her travel career in the United States, planning trips for the illustrious Butterfield and Robinson. After founding her own Dolomites-based company, she has hosted trips here for companies like Mountain Travel Sobek. What many travel consumers don’t realize is that they can get the same trip, with all of the bells and whistles, but contracting directly with a local company like Marmol’s.
She believes there is something for everyone – of any fitness level – in the Dolomites, and there is somewhere for everyone with 5,000 miles of marked trails. Marmol is particularly passionate about bringing families to the Dolomites (there’s one with a 5- and 7-year old) on our trip. This small business owner took note of how committed Marmol is to her business; she’s constantly on her Blackberry and remembers every detail. As I got to know her in the coming days, I thought one of the infantry divisions that fought her in the War could have benefitted from her leadership.
Cortina
Agustina pointed out that Cortina is the perfect place for cyclists as designated bike resort with dedicated trails and special cycling events; this summer there’s a three-day biking celebration, July 23 through 25. If museums are more your style, Cortina has quite a selection for a town of 6,000 including ones devoted to World War I, ethnology, fossils and modern art. (www.cortina.dolomiti.com)
Cortina is a great base for those who want some post-outdoors action; though admittedly it is sleepier than in the winter. The Hotel Ambra, where I stayed, or Hotel De La Poste are both in the center of town, within a few feet of places to eat and drink, from the Michelin-starred Tivoli to the stylish old wine bar Enoteca. Hotel Park Faloria is just outside the center of the town, near the Olympic ski jump, offers a spa, swimming pool and a little more room to run around for those traveling with families.
Hiking, Dolomites Style
On our first day of hiking, the weather was crisp, clear and sunny. With the staggering views at every turn in the Dolomites, a clear day truly means you can see forever – or at least as far as Austria. We hopped on a ski lift to get us above the tree line, providing increasingly promising views of Cinque Torri – mountain formations that resemble five towers.
At the top of the lift, we stopped at Rifugio Averau. A rifugio is a mountain hut that welcomes travelers for food lodging or often times both, especially since camping in the wild is prohibited in the Dolomites. These mountains, hundreds in total, are central to the outdoors experience here. Nearly all serve hearty mountain food such as lamb and polenta, which is a staple here.
Our group split into two; those who wanted to do straight hiking and those who wanted to experience via ferrata, a mountain route combining cables, bridges and ladders. Via ferrata allows access to those nooks and crannies that would be otherwise inaccessible simply on foot. Those in this area were originally built to aid alpine units in World War I. You’ll find these “iron roads” in neighboring Alpine countries but here they have the most historic significance. In fact there’s an unusual one in the newly restored Lagazuoi tunnels (both Italian and Austrian troops built tunnels during the war). While ferrata Averau is considered an easy via ferrata, there are ones of all levels throughout these mountains. (www.viaferrata.org)
The rest of us started our climb (yes, I said climb, not hike, this would be the steepest one of any day) along an unusual, steep broad ridge to Rifugio Nuvolau. I soon got my bearing on the scree (loose rock). Obviously, having a good pair of broken-in hiking boots is essential for a trip like this. I spent the extra money to have mine properly fitted at a sporting goods store back home. Though this day was warm, I came prepared with layers as the temperature varies greatly in summer and one day it even snowed a bit!
Is it here where I admit that an elderly couple with a cocker spaniel as well as a five-year-old passed me on the trail? No matter, the views were worth the huffing and puffing. I could see the highest point in the Dolomites, Marmaloda (10,968 feet). It is hard to believe that these rock formations are mere babies, well at least in comparison to their neighbors; the Dolomites are the youngest of the Alps.
This was one of my two favorite hikes. Later in the week we hiked to Sasso della Croce (Stone of the Cross) where we found a small white church that was consecrated in 1484 (how did they get the building materials up here?) and holds an image of Christ bearing the cross, hence the name of the mountain. We traipsed over lush rolling hills (walking poles come in handy) to one of my favorite mountain huts, Ranch Andre. There, friendly goats, a German shepherd named Tequila and food prepped on the outdoor grill (turtres – Ladino pastries – and grilled vegetables) were awaiting us.
History Lessons
Yet on that first day, I realized yet again why I always like to travel with a guide. My guide, Karin Pizzinini, was pleasant, charming and truly tied to this land by her Ladino heritage and is an expert on Ladino culture. Since the Ladini are a recognized minority in Italy, television time is provided for programming in their native language. Karen produces monthly segments in Ladino that air on the television station, Rai 3. While waiting for the group to return from their via ferrata (they would return exhilarated at having had such a unique adventure) Karen gave me a lesson in Ladino culture 101. I filmed it and you can watch my video interview with her at www.youtube.com/dreamofitaly.
As we took a short walk over to the Cinque Torri open air museum, our conversation turned to war. Between May 1915 and October 1917, this area was the scene of horrific battles during World War I. When gunfire didn’t claim lives, exposure did and the winter of 1916 was particularly brutal. Those who had been peaceful neighbors were now killing each other and Karin told me that often the soldiers would often sneak down into the towns at night to get news.
Our reward for the physical exertion and history lessons learned was a trip to highest rifugio in the region, Rifugio Lagazuoi. After a short drive, we boarded gondola for the journey to 9,112 feet, where absolutely stupendous 360-degree views and a hearty Dolomiti lunch were waiting. The main dish of beet-filled ravioli topped with poppy seeds was perfectly filling. This is truly the must-visit rifugio in the area and even if you don’t hike up, you can always walk down the mountain after lunch as that burns calories too, right?
Rosa Alpina
For the second half of our trip, we drove about 45 minutes over to the next valley of Alta Badia to the lovely, well-manicured town of San Cassiano. As Agustina told us, “Every valley has its own experience.” Alta Badia, historically the most isolated area of the Dolomites, is home to a significant population of Ladini. Nearly every one of San Cassiano’s 700 residents speaks Ladino at home.
That includes the gentile Hugo Pizzinini, the third-generation owner of the luxurious Hotel Rosa Alpina. There are few world-famous luxury properties that are family-owned as well as family-managed. Pizzinini was so ever-present that we wondered if he ever slept. Hospitality is in his blood for sure as many of the nearby hotels and restaurants are run also by Pizzinini family members.
The welcoming and down-to-earth attitude of the owner is mirrored in the hotel décor with light-colored alpine wood furniture and elegant yellow, white and earthy-colored fabrics. The feel is modern with a nod to history. There’s a lovely fire burning in the lobby year-round.
While part of our group spent the day hiking to an overnight at Rifugio Lavarella (www.lavarella.it), I settled into my plush room, making an appointment for the Rosa Alpina spa. (Yes, I felt guilty when it started to rain on the hikers.) My esthetician Elsa was so lovely that I made a note to tell Hugo how pleased I was with her service. Pride is contagious at Rosa Alpina leading to an 80% return rate among its guests.
In addition to the warm and luxurious atmosphere, guests are also drawn to Rosa Alpina for the food. The hotel’s restaurant St. Hubertus and chef Norbert Niederkofler have been awarded two Michelin stars. To dine here is to experience the flavors of these mountains in a most innovative way. Consider risotto with pine needles served with gently smoked breast of guinea fowl or filet of venison with balsamico cherries, cannolo stuffed with cardamom mousse and ricotta gnocchi. I’m not usually a fan of foie gras but months later still dream of Niederkofler’s foie gras crème brûlée.
Amazingly, St. Hubertus is one of three restaurants within a few miles that hold Michelin stars; there’s also La Siriola in San Cassiano’s Hotel Ciasa Salares and La Stüa de Michil in Hotel La Perla in neighboring Corvara. (The bigger town of Corvara offers more shopping, restaurants and hotels to choose from, with the Hotel Posta Zirm as a more affordable lodging option.)
To welcome our hearty hikers back to the Rosa Alpina from their night away, Pizzinini prepared a treat that none of us will soon forget – a lavish lunch at his family’s personal rifugio within a short hike of the hotel. We enjoyed a feast of mountain cheeses, sausage, grilled meat, polenta and porcini while we once again took in the breathtaking landscape. He’s happy to set this up for any of his guests.
I wasn’t quite what to expect on my warm weather adventure in the Dolomites. What I found was overwhelming – nature at its most tantalizing, history and tradition coming alive and welcoming locals who take such pride in their land, culture and families.
THE DETAILS
Guides and Organized Trips
Agustina Lagos Marmol
Dolomite Mountains, s.r.l.
(39) 0436 7320
www.dolomitemountains.com
Agustina’s company can plan hiking, biking, climbing, Via Ferrata, skiing, snowshoeing and photo safari excursions, custom vacations (in any price range) and self-guided trips in the Dolomites.
Rates: The cost for an individual guide starts at 220€ per day. A private two-day hike with one night in a rifugio costs about 430€ for a minimum of two people. An organized trip like “Hiking the Best of the Italian Alps” accompanied by a mountain guide with six nights accommodation (two in Cortina, four in mountain refuge) and some meals starts at 1,060€ per person, depending on the group size.
Where to Stay
Most hotels are closed from April to mid-June and October through mid-December. Many rifigui are open only in the summer.
Hotel Ambra
Via XXIX Maggio, 28
Cortina d’Ampezzo
(39) 0436 867344
www.hotelambracortina.it
Summer 2010: Opens June 12
Rates: In mid-June, rates start at 80€ for a standard double room and peak at 120€ in early August. All rates are per person, per night and include breakfast.
Hotel Park Faloria
Zuel di Sopra, 46
Cortina d’Ampezzo
(39) 0436 2959
www.parkhotelfaloria.it
Summer 2010: Opens May 26
Rates: A classic double room costs 120€ per night through mid-July. Starting in mid-July, the hotel raises its rates to 156€, and by mid-August, rates peak at 300€ before falling back down to 156€ at the end of August. A superior suite accommodates up to four guests and ranges from 184€ to 340€. All rates include breakfast.
Hotel de la Poste
Piazza Roma, 14
Cortina d’Ampezzo
(39) 0436 4271
www.delaposte.it
Summer 2010: Open June 12 to September 20
Rates: A double room with breakfast costs 200€ during the summer season. Half-board and full-board plans are also available.
Hotel Posta Zirm
Col Alt, 95
Corvara
(39) 0471 836175
www.postazirm.com
Summer 2010: Open June 18 to September 30
Rates: A double room with half-board range from 91€ per person, at the beginning and end of the summer season, to 137€ during most of August. The smallest apartments, which sleep two to four people and have a kitchenette, range from 139 to 194€ per day, not including breakfast or half board.
Hotel Rosa Alpina
Strada Micura de Rü, 20
San Cassiano in Badia
(39) 0471 849500
www.rosaalpina.it
Summer 2010: Open June 18 to September 19
Rates: Double rooms range from 170 to 230€, per person per day, including a breakfast buffet. Junior suites start at 200€ per person, per day.
Rifugi
Staying in a mountain refuge is the most affordable and authentic lodging option in the Dolomites. Rates vary, but plan on spending between 45 and 70€ per person, per night for accommodations, breakfast and dinner. Visit the Web site of the Club Alpino Italiano (www.cai.it) for a listing of local rifugi. Club members save 5% on their stays. Many of the rifugi I mentioned in the story are featured at www.dolomiti.org.