The Italian Dolomites

Many believe the landscape of the Italian Dolomites to be amongst the most beautiful in the country. Situated in north-eastern Italy, it is a mountainous region of the eastern Alps with a particularly unique scenic beauty and distinctive character. The mountains take their name from the predominant mineral — dolomite — from which they are formed, a type of crystalline magnesium limestone. Although these mountains are not as high as those in the central Alps, they are very dramatic, characterised by their towering pinnacles and castellations, and constant changes in rock colour as the crystals catch and reflect the light. The colours of the dolomite rocks stem from their formation as coral colonies and sedimentary deposits. The sediments were laid over noncalcareous primary rocks (granite) which have been exposed by tectonic movement and now present dark rounded mountain slopes with acidic conditions, that contrast markedly with the neighbouring, needle-like, limestone formations.

This holiday will take the turn-of-the-century alpine botanist, Reginald Farrer’s book ‘The Dolomites’ as its pivot. Following in Farrer’s footsteps, we will have opportunities to explore both the limestone and the granitic mountains which present both dramatic scenery as well as fascinating habitats for alpine plants. We have been operating this holiday in the Dolomites since 1997, focusing on the abundant and varied flora which is representative of the eastern Alps but further enriched by several species considered to be endemic to the Dolomites. Although snow has fallen in the month of June in this region, we hope that by visiting during the latter part of June we will enjoy fine, sunny weather, with long days and clear skies.

We begin our holiday with a flight from London to Venice, and in privately hired minibuses drive north to the Fassa Valley where we will be based throughout the week in a wonderfully friendly, family-run hotel, blessed with exceptional mountain views. Our drive north from the airport will take us into the province of Trentino and the Dolomites Mountains, and during the initial part of this journey the vegetation will reflect the influence of the Mediterranean climate, before we get further north into the Adige Valley, where vineyards and low altitude mountain vegetation will appear. This relaxing week is set amongst the mountains but does not involve any strenuous mountaineering. There will be ample opportunity to slowly explore the rich meadows of the valleys with their spectacular flora of orchids — including the Military, Dwarf, Marsh and Scented Orchids — fine Pedicularis species, Pulsatillas, Lilium bulbiferum var. croceum and other flowering herbs.

The Fassa Valley itself lies midway along Farrer’s circuitous route, and within reach of the renowned Marmolada and the Catinaccio ranges on which the different habitats, each with its own characteristic flora, are to be found. Spectacular amongst the walks on limestone will be our exploration of the Catinaccio group (also known as the Rosengarten range), where pinnacles rise up above precipices and screes, on which the fragrant tufts of Thlaspi rotundifolium are abundant, compact and robust. Here we can also hope to find Potentilla nitida, Valeriana supina and Valeriana saliunca, Campanula zoysii, Soldanella alpina, Ranunculus seguieri, Anemone baldensis as well as creeping willows, Mountain Avens and Edelweiss in the rocks. Other limestone-loving plants will be seen elsewhere, for example, in the region of the Pordoi Pass, Androsace obtusifolia (chamaejasme), Androsace hausmannii and Androsace helvetica have all been reported, as well as Ranunculus keupferi, and on the slopes of the Marmolada itself, we hope to locate the rare Primula tyrolensis.

During two days of the holiday we will concentrate our explorations on the National Park of Panevéggio. Here, on the lower slopes, magnificent spruce forests shelter Daphne striata, Anemone trifolia and Cypripedium calceolus, whilst above the forest lies the high Rolle Pass, and views of the magical Cimon della Pala, described by Farrer as ‘the mountain of mountains’. We will spend time on the limestone Castelláz, and on the screes beneath the Cimon della Pala, where amongst the rich limestone flora we can expect to find Carlina acanthifolia, Primula halleri and hopefully Campanula morettiana, as well as many other species particular to this habitat.

On the nearby granite mountain of Cavallazza, south of Rolle Pass, Farrer was sure Eritrichium nanum would be found. We will look! The flora on this acid substrate will be less rich than that on the limestone but nonetheless we can expect to find such species as Rhododendron ferrugineum, Loiseleuria procumbens, the erect Huperzia selago, Fir Clubmoss, Soldanella pusilla, Primula glutinosa and Primula minima. Above all, we will enjoy a week of wonderful botanical walks amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in Italy.