Description of the territory of the dolomite environment and of the mountain ranges where itineray excursion routes are developed

The name Dolomite includes the mountainous area from the Val d'Isaro and the Valle del Piave. The Dolomites are usualy sub-divided in western and eastern and the border line is given by the axe of Val Badìa - Valle del Cordèvole. More precisely: Val Pusterìa to the north and northeast, Comèlico and the river Piave to the east and southeast, the Cordèvole stream and Val Badìa to the west, divided into various independent ranges.
The itinerary named 'Alta Via delle Dolomite n. 1' crosses from north to south the western Dolomites and always remains in the territory of the province of Belluno (except during the first route, from Lago di Bràies to the Forcella sòrs Forno, which is in the province of Bolzano).
The dolomia is a rock of marine origin formed by sediments of invertebrated organisms composed of seaweeds, mollusks and corals. The particular architecture of the Dolomites is determined by the composition of the dolomia: double salt of calcium and magneium. It takes its name from the French geologist Dèodat de Gratet Marquis de dolomieu (1750 - 1801) who discovered it in 1789 (according to other sources it was (1791) during a trip in Sudtirolo - Valle dell'Adige. The rock was studied by Thèodore de Saussure, son of the famous scientist from Ginever Horace Bènèdict de Saussure (1744-1799), he was the first to propose the ascent of Monte Bianco. In honour of the scientest, Dolomieu proposed the name of Sassurite which hencefore was refused. Later it was named Dolomite in memory of Dolomieu.

The dolomia ladinica (236 - 231 million years) fomed the great formations of almost all the western Dolomites. The main dolomia (223 -215 million years) formed the greatest part of the eastern Dolomites. The valley basin areas of the Dolomites are almost always wide and intensly covered in green, the mountain passes are ample and the wild walls rise steeply nearby, directly from flower-covered fields. The rocky horizonts are jagged by thousands of strange formations: it is a continous succession of towers, spires, needles, peaks and summits...

The 'enrosadira' - the pink warm colouring of the sunsets (amberglow)- bestow on the Dolomite environment a unique and unforgettable charm which also enhances the mysterious atmosphere. In this magic atmosphere legends and fables abound, among which certain are very well-known such as that of the 'regno di Fànes' (kingdom of Fànes). The oreography highlights a complex of somewhat entangled valleys and ridges. The biggest crevices of the Dolomite region are given by the main rivers; the Adige, the Isarco, the Rienza and the Piave.
In relation to the accessibility, whether easy or not, to the valleys or the mounts we acknowledge variations in the ethnic groups, in the historical events, and in the local culture.
The dolomiti Venete include the Val Pettorìna, the Valle d'Ampezzo, the Valle di Zoldo, the Valle del Cordèvole (Agordo) where all the courses of water flow into the main stream, that of the Piave (Sappàda, Val Comèlico, Cadore, Longaronese, Val Bellùna).
The originality of the Ladino base has permitted the development of a human environment which appreciates the virtue of nature and the tradition and use of common wealth (le Regole/rules).
The Dolomiti Venete depended on the Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia until the arrival of Napoleone and before were subject to Belluno or Treviso feuds or under the Patriarch of Aquileia.
All the valleys are crossed by excellent roads which cross well-known valleys: the Passo (pass) Tre Croci, which joins Ampezzo to Agordo; the Passo Falzàrego, which joins Ampezzo to Agordo; the Passo Cibiàna which links Cadore to the Val di Zoldo; the Passo Giàu which marks the route from Ampezzi to Cadore and to Agordo; the Passo (or Forcella) Staulanza which unites the Val di Zoldo with Cadore and Agordo.
The conferious woods have alsways represented a great resource for the dolimite region. today the wood areas are increasing. Due to the abandonment of the pasture-land and agricultural activities, consequences of the emigration to the industrialized areas and the transferring of the labour force in specialized crafts and tourism, much more profitable. Great woods (to remain in the interested area of our Alta Via delle Dolomiti n.1 itinerary) which still exsist today, aboveall in the Valle di Ampezzo and Valle Imperina. The Valle Imperina covers a over 240 hectares. A 210 year old trunk, 40 meters in length and with a diameter of 62 cm left these woods for the 'Esposizione Universale di Torino' in 1884.
The mining activity, which in the past was very important especially in the area of Agordo, a very valid alternative, today has completely disappeared.
The region crossed by the itinerary is rich in culture and works of art, which wemeet in every town.