Marmolada and the Dolomiti Mountains are splendid, Canazei, Italy

    

Marmolada is located between Roca Pietore and Canazei resorts, about 12 km from Alleghe and 65 km from Belluno railway station.

I have visited Marmolada in summer and it was splendid. We went by car from Feltre, a little town 50 miles from Venice and we have passed the villages of Avoscan, Sala, Masare, Alleghe, Caprile, Roca Pietore, Col di Roca, Sottoguda and arrived at Malga Ciapella the place where you can take the cable car to the top of Marmolada which is the highest peak in the area, 3342m.

If you take the cable car from Malga Ciapela you can descend on the other side to Serauta or to Punta Rocca, at 3270m and in winter you can continue your descend on a 12 km slope. Malga Ciapela is a small settlement with a bunch of hotels and houses, bars and restaurants, there is even a camping ground.

Marmolada is a gorgeous glacier that towers over Roca Pietore and Agordino and really gives you the sense of being on the top of the world.

We did not use the cable to get to the top but we went by car, the road is very good. There were a lot of people wandering at the beautiful snow and icy packed peak. We had to take warmer clothes as despite of the heat from the bottom, at the top it is colder much to the pleasure of skiers as this is the perfect place for summer skiing in the area.

Thus Marmolada is the most visited peak in the Dolomites as it is the queen of the seasons uniting summer and winter offering activities for all seasons. The large glacier of Punta Roccca is open almost all year round for skiing. It is an excellent experience as you don’t have to wear thick jackets and you can even get a tan while you ski, it is advisable though to use good lip balms and skin protection crème.

There is even a summer ski school and you can take lessons dressed up in T-shirt, a truly unique experience. You can spend the afternoon on the sundeck, play tennis or hike.

It is also perfect for excursions that reveal the most amazing beauties of nature such as the Serrai di Sottoguda, a deep must see two km gorge at the glacier’s foot. Passing through the gorge you get to a very nice village that is famous for its iron hand made crafts. We saw many interesting tools craftsmen use for making really beautiful objects.

Being a small settlement Malga Ciapela does not offer much in entertainment but still there are shows and activities presented almost every night in the lobby of one of the hotels. You can choose to stay at Lake Fedaia which is also very close to Marmolada.

If you want to be in the middle of nature then camping is the best solution for accommodation and there is a really great three star camping ground right on the foot of the mountain offering the peace and tranquility you whish for. The camping ground invites you to mingle with nature and get in touch with it in a direct way. It is the ideal place for both relaxation and sport offering the best conditions. The place is run by the Dell’Antone family and is opened from June to September and December to April. You don’t have to pay for showers but you have to pay for the car and tent space and there’s a fee per person.

Summer and winter activities united in one spot that is Marmolada! Who can ask for more?

Italy - overview

1. Jan 3, 2007 Marmolada and the Dolomiti Mountains are splendid (Canazei)
2. Jan 4, 2007 The Italian Alps (Selva Di Cadore)  ( 3)
3. Jan 5, 2007 Best mountain resorts of Val di Fassa, Italy (Vigo di Fassa)
4. Jan 9, 2007 The magical mountains of Alta Valtellina (Berbenno Di Valtellina)
5. Jan 10, 2007 Courmayeur, the best place to ski in Italy (Courmayeur)
6. Jan 12, 2007 Sella Ronda, the ultimate ski destination (Corvara)

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