While traveling in the north of Italy, we visited the Dolomites, a mountain range in northeastern Italy.
They Dolomites are named after a French scientist, Deodat Grater de Dolomieu, who hiked the mountains in the 18th century. Dolomieu was a geologist and found that the mountains were made of the unique mineral calcium magnesium carbonate. The rock was later named after him--carbonate rock dolomite and the mountains became known as the Dolomites.
The Dolomites tend to be tall, narrow peaks, free of vegetation and looking gray or white in sunlight.
To get to the Dolomites, we first took a long bus ride to climb to a ski lift. The ski lift then took us much, much higher.
At the top of the ski lift, we began a long, steep hike to the top of a high plateau, known as the Puflatsch (German) or Bulacia (Italian).
About an hour into the hike, we passed a tall cross. A brief prayer might have been said, hoping for level ground and beautiful views in the not too distant future.
Upon reaching the top of the plateau, we were rewarded with level ground and beautiful scenery, both nearby and in the distance. Nearby, the wonderful scenery included a lovely mountain stream, fields of wildflowers, goats, horses and even a bell cow.
You can never have enough cow bell.
While on the plateau, we enjoyed a tasty lunch with other hikers at the Puflatsch mountain station. Lunch included wiener schnitzel, huge dumplings, pasta and beer.
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| The plateau is named for the pagan witches who would meet and dance there. |
The very best part of the hike was viewing the Dolomites.
On the highest part of the plateau, there is an observation deck that provides breathtaking panoramic vistas.
Fortunately, on the day of the hike, the weather was cool and mostly sunny. Most importantly, there was no lightning!
The vistas from the top of the plateau were truly lovely.
Thanks for joining our hike in the Dolomites.
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