Western Dolomites
I spent 11 days on a self-guided hike organized by the British company, InnTravel (InnTravel's The Heart of the Dolomites). The route traveled north along the western edge of the Dolomites, on the shelf between Italy's glaciated Adige Valley and the high, rugged central Dolomites. The hike started relatively low and mellow – through pastures being hayed, surrounded by forests adjacent to 7000-8000 foot peaks. The accommodations were first rate – small inns with outstanding dining in tiny, pictureque villages. The tour ended in the high Alpe di Siusi (aka Seiseralm) plateau, staying in skiing and hiking resorts surrounded by 10,000' peaks.
On the photographic front, I found the opportunities to be a little slim. My daily "focus" was completing the prescribed route, without much time or energy available for image hunting. And when I did find myself in a photogenic spot, it was usually during harsh midday light. Nonetheless, it was an very enjoyable jaunt! Most days consisted of 5-6 hours of walking in 85°F/80% humidity, with late afternoon thunderstorms. Fortunately the rain usually held off until I reached my destination, but I did get caught out once in a major storm. Then, in the tour's last days, the weather completely turned into a dusting of snow and blustery 30-40°F days. The itinerary was:
- Radein (2 nights) – stayed at the Zirmerhof, climbed the Weisshorn.
- Aldein (1 night) – walked through the Bletterbach Gorge area to stay at Gasthof Krone on Aldein's village square.
- Kohlern (2 nights) – walked from the Maria Weisssenstein Monastery, along its pilgrim's path to Deutschnofen, then along the cliff edge overlooking the Adige Valley and Bolzano, to the Gasthof Kohlern. I spent a day exploring Bolzano and the upper Sopra Bolzano. A major highpoint of the entire tour was a visit to Bolzano's Archeology Museum to see Ötzi, the "Iceman" found emerging from a melting Alps glacier in 1991. This 5,000 year old, "wet" mummy is incredibly intact, as is his associated clothing, weapons, and tools. Their display and associated reconstructions are absolutely breathtaking.
- Kastelruth (2 nights) – walked from Vols, through Sies to stay at the Cavallinno Hotel on the village square. I spent a day exploring the surrounding hills.
- Compatsch (2 nights) – walked from Kastelruth up to Alpe di Siusi's The Plaza hotel. I spent a day exploring the huge surrounding alpine meadow.
- Saltria (2 nights) – walked up and over the Rosszahnscharte pass and then down to Saltria's Floralpina Inn. I spent a day climbing Plattkofel and then back to Saltria via a high mountain ridge back toward the Rosszahnscharte.
Panoramas – Tap/click on a pano's thumbnail to show an interactive, moving panorama; use the on-screen control bar or your finger/mouse to move around:
From the summit of Weisshorn:
Sciliar Mountain and St. Valentin:
Alpe di Siusi:
View from Rosszahnscharte Col:
Mt. Plattkofel Trail:
Image Gallery – Tap to view an individual image, then swipe to advance; use the top-right controls for auto play & other options (e.g, tap the curved arrow to open sharing options):
