The Dolomiti Stars territory offers several scenic spots from which to enjoy magnificent, 360 degree views of the Dolomites, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage. Natural environments featuring splendid scenery are accessible to everybody, thanks to modern cable lift facilities which take you up to the highest altitudes in no time.
Without a doubt, the panoramic terrace par excellence is the one at Punta Rocca, at an altitude of 3265 metres on the Marmolada. It is the highest in the Dolomites, but regardless of its “extreme” position, it is easy to get to, even for physically challenged individuals and people with special needs.
It’s a convenient ride that lasts about 15 minutes with the Malga Ciapela funicular, then once you’ve arrived at the Punta Rocca station an elevator takes you up to the terrace where finally you can lose yourself in a wide open, breath taking view that spans all the way from Sassolungo the Pale di San Martino over Civetta, Pelmo, Tofane, Sella, Puez – Odle, Sassongher, Sasso Croce, the Dolomites in the del Fanes National Park, Sennes and Braies. The view of the 1000 metre sheer drop of the Southern face of the Marmolada is impressive.
In Civetta you can admire wonderful perspectives of both Col dei Baldi and Monte Fertazza.
Col dei Baldi, a veritable gateway between the villages of Civetta (Alleghe, Selva di Cadore and Val di Zoldo) features a front row visual of Civetta and Monte Pelmo.
Monte Fertazza, which lies at 2081 metres, dominates the valley over Alleghe Lake (only from here can you admire it in all its splendour, from above and yet so close), surrounded by Monte Pelmo, Civetta with its majestic Northwest face that is higher than a thousand metres, Marmolada and the mountains of Friuli and Trentino.
There are several different ways to reach these two scenic spots. From Alleghe a cabin lift goes to Col dei Baldi and it’s a 45 minute walk to Monte Fertazza; from Pescul (Selva di Cadore) with a chairlift or on foot; from Malga Fontanafredda (Passo Staulanza – Val di Zodo) it’s a short hike.
Dream-like panoramas are also in store going up to the Col Margherita, in the Falcade-Passo San Pellegrino area, where there are two “panoramic balconies” set up with benches, telescopes and panels containing information on the surrounding peaks and their geology.
One faces north on to the valley of San Pellegrino, creating a sort of virtual embrace between the Latemar group and the Marmolada, while the other one faces south in the direction of the Pale di San Martino, allowing the eyes to feast from the Marmolada to the Lagorai range. And while grown-ups are enjoying this extraordinary natural spectacle at 2550 metres, kids can have fun in the lovely play park located near the mountain station for the Col Margherita funicular lift.
Otherwise, the Portavescovo summit in Arabba is the perfect place from which to admire the most important peaks of the eastern Dolomites. The Marmolada, the Piccolo and the Grande Vernel appear to the south. Peeking over the horizon to the east are the summit of the Col di Lana, which was blown up by a mine in 1916, the Nuvolau, Averau, Croda da Lago, Sorapiss, Antelao and the dominating Pelmo. To the north you can see the Gruppo del Sella with its highest peak, the Piz Boè, the Puez Massif, Sasso della Croce; Lagazuoi and the Tofane. Finally, to the west you can just make out the Catinaccio and the Sassolungo group.
