The valley of the Dolomite lakes, between Lake Dobbiaco and Lake Landro, is one of South Tyrol’s most beautiful valleys
Image gallery: Valle di Landro
In summer, the Valle di Landro is a natural paradise, and in winter, it is a popular destination for cross-country skiers. The journey begins at Lake Dobbiaco, just a few kilometres from the main village of Dobbiaco. From there, it runs southwards, past Lake Landro to the Passo Cimabanche.
Beyond the pass lies Cortina d'Ampezzo, the well-known winter sports resort in the Belluno Dolomites, near which a third lake, the one of Misurina, can be found. The valley also forms an important boundary: It separates the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park from the Three Peaks Nature Park around the Sesto Dolomites. Furthermore, it marks the linguistic border between the mainly German-speaking Val Pusteria and the largely Ladin-speaking area around Cortina.
The two lakes define the recreational activities in the Valle di Landro (Höhlensteintal) and are particularly popular destinations in spring and autumn, as it is somewhat quieter during these seasons. While Lake Dobbiaco can be circled on a nature trail or explored by pedalo, Lake Landro is the starting point for numerous hikes, for example, to the Monte Piano or the Tre Cime-Locatelli Hut. In winter, the Landro Valley transforms into an excellent area for cross-country skiers.
Near Carbonin, at the southern end of the valley, lies the "Val Fonda" circuit, one of several cross-country ski tracks in the region. Among others, the Dobbiaco-Cortina Trail, the venue for the public cross-country race of the same name, and the 16-kilometre route from the Nordic Arena to Lake Dobbiaco are worthy of mention. The latter winds past the war cemetery to the Three Peaks viewpoint and on to Lake Landro. This trail, which is considered particularly appealing, ends at the Passo Cimabanche, called Gemärk in German, on the border with the province of Belluno.
