Bizarre, massive, stunning … that's what the Dolomites look like. This world-famous mountain range, which was formed over 200 million years ago, has recently been designated a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Dolomites UNESCO - Natural Word Hertage extend over five Italian provinces: Bolzano, Trento, Belluno, Udine, and Pordenone.
At sunset, these so-called “pale mountains” assume an almost unreal reddish shimmer which is due to the dolomitic rock they are made of.
This mountain range consists primarily of whitish-grey sedimentary rock which forms typical layers sometimes interspaced with layers of fossilized coral riffs.
The predominant rock itself is referred to as dolomite, which can be subdivided into various types of rock such as Schlern dolomite and overlying main dolomite.
The word “dolomite” is derived from the surname of the French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu. In 1789 he discovered this mineral in South Tyrol. Later, the name of the mineral was also used to describe the mountain ranges.
The “Sexten Dolomites” are the northeasternmost range of the Dolomites and account for the nature reserve of the same name.
The main massifs of the Sexten Dolomites - UNESCO - Natural Word Hertage:
- The Drei Zinnen (“Three Peaks”; Italian: “Tre Cime di Lavaredo”) are an imposing massif of the Sexten Dolomites, which not only came to symbolize the whole range of the Dolomites, but are also a natural monument which attracts nature and mountain lovers alike. They have also become a “sunny “playground” where mountaineers and climbers find routes featuring the highest levels of difficulty. Their peaks mark the border between the province of Belluno to the south and that of Bolzano to the north. Until 1919, the line Paternkofel–Paternscharte–Drei Zinnen formed the border between Italy and Austria. Nowadays, it marks the border between German- and Italian-speaking communities. The three peaks tower over sparse scree slopes. The Große Zinne/Big Peak is 2,999 m/9,839 ft. high. It rises between the other two peaks: the Kleine Zinne/Little Peak (2,857 m/9,373 ft.) and the Westliche Zinne/Western Peak (2,973 m/9,753 ft.). The massif of the Drei Zinnen also includes other, less impressive peaks: the Punta di Frida (2,792 m/9,160 ft.) and the Preuss Riss (2,700 m/8,858 ft.).
- Sexten's Sundial is rightly regarded as the world's largest clock. This sundial is formed by five peaks, i.e. the Neuner, Zehner (aka Sextener Rotwand), Elfer, Zwölfer, and Einser. Each summit owes its name to the relation between the time of day and the position of the sun: the name of each of these five mountains (eg. “Elfer” = eleventh”) namely tells you what time it is when the sun is just above its summit. The sundial is accurate provided you look at it from the correct position – which corresponds exactly to the location of the Waldheim Hotel.
- The highest mountain of the Sexten Dolomites is the Dreischusterspitze, which reaches 3,152 m/10,341 ft. Sexten's “home mountain”, which rises between the Fischlein and Innerfeld valleys, has a bizarre and majestic shape and is affectionately nicknamed the “Schuster” (the shoemaker) by the locals.
The Sexten Dolomites UNESCO - Natural Word Hertage are a hikers' & climbers' paradise in South Tyrol … Come and stay at the Waldheim Hotel! We shall be delighted to welcome you and to show you the nearby peaks! Two professionals, Herbert & Christian, are at your service ... Our motto is: “Experience the Dolomites with us!”
The Waldheim Hotel is the ideal place where to stay during your holidays in Sexten – Upper Puster Valley! It is just the hotel you need for a relaxing vacation in the Dolomites … You can start hiking right from the doorstep of the Waldheim, and you can conquer the Helm mountain even in winter! At the Waldheim, you will enjoy the excellent service provided by the Summerer family, comfortable rooms, good food, and a well-equipped wellness area.