The UNESCO Dolomites Foundation is the Italian organisation to join the Google Trekker Loan Program. It is now possible to admire the Dolomites online, from New York or Calcutta, using Google Maps Street View.
This mapping project carried out by Google covers several simple trails located within and nearby the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was launched at the end of Summer 2014, continuing over the following 12 months with various mapping campaigns, during which around thirty trails were travelled from all nine Systems of the World Heritage Site.
The trails were followed with a Google Trekker backpack, weighing 25 kg including the metal frame and large antenna with 15 cameras that capture thousands and thousands of panoramic photographs, at a speed of eight shots every ten seconds. The series of georeferenced images is then used to compose the online version of the trail, enabling anyone, from Buenos Aires to Palermo to virtually hike in the Dolomites.
Street View is a tool for communication and promotion and does not replace careful planning of mountain activities. It is an innovative way to promote the World Heritage Site all around the world. The choice of trails was made on a case-by-case basis together with those familiar with the area, prioritising simple trails of particularly outstanding beauty that best represent the Dolomites to the outside world.
Visit the dedicated section for each of the nine Systems of the World Heritage Site and use Google Street View to relive a trip, preview a coming holiday or dream of your future visit to the Dolomites.