Experience.Nature: incredible experiences in the Dolomites

Excursion into the unexpected wonders of the mushroom kingdom

We reach the starting point with the “Dolomiti-UNESCO” shuttle or with our transfer. The participants are equipped with optical instruments from “Swarovski Optics”.

You are in the mountains and you think of a nice plate of "risotto" with "porcini" mushrooms or a nice plate of "tagliatelle" with chanterelles and you think of going on a hike to look for these delicacies... forget all that!!! Mushrooms are much more than that.

We will amaze you by showing you why mushrooms are the largest, fastest and deadliest living organisms on our planet and how they affect our daily lives.

The forest is a very important ecosystem, but without fungi it would be doomed to slow and inexorable decay. We can only see a small part of these species and so we will transport you beneath the surface, to a world rich in connections with essential exchanges of vital substances.

The aim of the hike is to re-evaluate the forest ecosystem and to understand the importance of not spoiling the soil while walking through this ecosystem, or picking mushrooms or fruits.

Place: San Vigilio di Marebbe
Level: easy hike suitable for all levels
Route: non-hazardous - will be chosen according to period and conditions

Dynamic hike to discover the Geology of the Dolomites

We reach the starting point with the “Dolomiti-UNESCO” shuttle or with our transfer. The participants are equipped with optical instruments from “Swarovski Optics”.

It may be a known fact that our Dolomite promontories were formed mostly below sea level. But that they began to form more or less at the height of the equator around 249 million years ago is largely unknown.

What happened in all this wide passage of geological periods and epochs might seem a great mystery. We will see that this is not just a story about stones, but we will discover a world that was not at all static and predictable.

The ascent to the Chi Jûs mountain has a very low gradient and can therefore be tackled by a wide range of enthusiasts and hikers. After the first 300 m of altitude difference we find a beautiful refuge and a first refreshment point for those who do not want to reach the summit, which is only about 200 m higher up. The path is not at all dangerous and there are no exposed points for those who suffer from vertigo.

When we are at the top, we will have in front of us the border between the Dolomites and the remaining formations of the Alps. We will see the amazing encounter between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates and we will be able to imagine how all the continents were united and how they are probably destined to be united in the future, a union that should be emulated by mankind.

Place: Antermoia – Chi Jûs
Starting point: Pé de Börz
Arrival point: Chi Jûs
Total length: 9,6 km Total ascent: +508 m

Excursion dedicated to the ecology of the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos L.) in the protected areas “Dolomites-UNESCO”

We reach the starting point with the "Dolomiti-UNESCO" shuttle or with our transfer. Introduction to the course of the hike and use of binoculars and presentation of the Natural Park Fanes-Senes-Braies.

We dedicate the whole day to the Golden Eagle by reconstructing the behaviour of the species over a calendar year in the Dolomites. We start from the difficult month of January to the mating season in February, through the breeding season, to when the young have to leave their breeding grounds.

To make things more dynamic, we will walk in stages to treat each month, letting participants rest and giving them the opportunity to observe the horizon in search of the King of the Skies'. Of course, in the event of a sighting we will stop to give you the opportunity to document the encounter. During the refreshment break we have the possibility of a longer observation.

The aim of the trip is to raise awareness for the continued protection of the species and to explain the dangers of altering and exploiting their home ranges.

Place: San Vigilio di Marebbe – Parco Naturale Fanes-Senes-Braies
Starting point: Lé dla Creda
Arrival point: Val de Ciastlins
Total length: 8,1 km
Total ascent: + 725 m

Excursions dedicated to the most representative species of the Dolomites and their extraordinary ability to live in high mountains

We reach the starting point with the "Dolomiti-UNESCO" shuttle or with our transfer. Introduction to the course of the hike and use of binoculars and presentation of the Nature Park Fanes-Senes-Braies.

Our mountain peaks would not be the same without the animals that inhabit our highest territories. In the past, they were attributed special, not to say magical, powers and thus became
symbols, even heraldic, and thus made part of our history.

Together we will discover that these living creatures sometimes come from distant lands and have braved ice ages and great obstacles to find these special oases in the Pale Mountains. We will hike into the heart of our protected areas in order to be able to spot them, all supported by advanced optical instruments from "Swarovski Optik".

We have the possibility of adapting the tours to suit experienced mountain participants as well as beginners and enthusiasts who are unable to cope with large differences in altitude. The tours do not take place on dangerous paths or overly exposed rock faces, nor do they require alpine technical aids to secure themselves.

All of this will be done without disturbing the fauna, as we will introduce you to the new techniques of remote viewing. And you will also have the opportunity to practice "Digiscoping" and thus photograph and film the animals with just your smart-phone in exceptional quality.

The aim of the hike is to get to know the emblematic species of the Dolomites, their behaviour and secrets while maintaining an ethical approach to sighting. We will also tell you some news about the latest research and what benefits we humans derive from it.

Place: San Vigilio di Marebbe – Nature Park “Fanes-Senes-Braies”
Routes and difficulties chosen with nature guides

Excursion on discoveries of plant behaviour and the ability to communicate with each other

We reach the starting point with the “Dolomiti-UNESCO” shuttle or with our transfer. The participants are equipped with optical instruments from “Swarovski Optics”.

The flower has always represented beauty and human beings have used it as decoration and embellishment of their bodies and homes. A flower and a plant can give you strong emotions, but there is much more to it than that.

We would not have the air we breathe without plants and we would not have food to sustain our existence without flowers. In our Dolomites we probably have the largest variety of wildflower species in Europe at an altitude of 2,100 m above sea level. This is only possible thanks to ecosystems with unique plants that grow and communicate with each other.

The route does not present technical difficulties and is not exposed to danger. It can also be tackled by enthusiasts and hikers approaching the mountains, as you will not walk at a fast pace and you will take breaks to admire.

We start from the forest and walk together through a world of colours, where every petal and leaf has its own story, but above all has the ability to communicate it to us. We will see how these seemingly fragile beings manage to protect themselves from the cold, the sun's rays and drought, and how important it is to be attractive in order to be able to multiply.

Place: Lungiarü
Starting point: Cialdires
Point of arrival: Plan dal Lêch
Total length: 6,5 km
Total ascent: +457 m

Discovering woodland habitats with children

We reach the starting point directly on foot from the hotel and explain to the children the behaviour to adopt in a protected area and the use of binoculars of Swarovski Optics.

The forest is a very complex ecosystem, where there are many processes yet to be discovered, but children with their imagination can learn easily many connections without prejudices. They will learn about the importance of the roots and microfauna in the soil and the great benefit of trees to counteract harmful gas emitted into the air. But also their extraordinary ability to consolidate soil and prevent erosions.

They will also learn to recognize the types of forests present in Val Badia and how they have helped shape the lives of the Ladins and how timber is the foundation of mountain communities. We will explain how vital proper management of tree cutting is and what to consider when replanting this heritage.

In silence and respecting safety distances, we will approach a wildlife watching and look for the many species that live or shelter in our forests. An exciting search for tracks will lead us to wonderful places.

The purpose of the excursion is to re-evaluate the ecosystem of the forest and understand the importance of not disturbing the wildlife and not ruining the soil as we walk through that ecosystem, or collect mushrooms and fruits.

Place: San Vigilio di Marebbe
Degree of difficulty: excursion suitable fo all levels
Route: not dangerous – will be chosen according to the period and conditions

Day Excursion in the Natural Park Fanes-Senes-Braies on the adaptations of animals and plants to climate change and high altitudes

We reach the starting point in Pederü with the “Dolomiti-UNESCO” shuttle or with our transfer. The participants are equipped with optical instruments from “Swarovski Optics”.

After a welcome and introduction to the beautiful, rounded Tamers glacial valley, a hike will begin, not only longitudinal and altitudinal, but also temporal over 200 million years.

The development of the vegetation represents a staircase and we will illustrate how each step brings interesting surprises. The alluvial fan, debris cones and fields which accompany the ascent, demonstrate the extraordinary adaptability of plants in syntax to the steep slopes of the Dolomites.

We will find out how higher temperatures affect the growth of vegetation in the altitudinal belts and how earlier flowering changes the behaviour of many species and has a considerable influence on their health.

Optical instruments will literally open our eyes to the species of animals that live in the Dolomite peaks and how they have adapted over the ages. The aim of the excursion is to illustrate the real impact of climate change, but also to learn about the extraordinary characteristics of the species living in our Park.

Place: San Vigilio di Marebbe – Fanes
Starting point: Pederü
Arrival point: Parei de Col Bechei
Total length: 17,4 km
Total ascent: + 1.068 m

Discovering the fauna of the NATURAL PARK “FANES-SENES-BRAIES”

We reach the starting point with the “Dolomiti-UNESCO” shuttle or with our own transfer. Sighting points are chosen according to weather conditions and the composition of the group of
participants, so as not to disturb the fauna.

Introduction about the establishment of the Natural Park Fanes-Senes-Braies and the unique habitats of the Dolomites, which constitute a very important ecological corridor. Afterwards the participants will be instructed on the behaviour to be observed during the observation and the use of binoculars and optical instruments.

Advanced optical instruments from “Swarovski Optics” are provided for a new approach with total respect for the park’s fauna, as we will be observing from safe distances, from which the animals are not frightened.

To overcome the difficulty children have in looking through an optical instrument, we illustrate the new systems for connecting to a smart-phone or tablet.

Place: San Vigilio di Marebbe
Total length: max. 3 km
Total ascent: 150-250 m approx.