Dolomites UNESCO Fest:
a week full of events to meet the natural heritage
The Dolomites UNESCO Fest, the festival of the Dolomites World Heritage, in Sexten/Sesto and in the Bletterbach gorge: a week full of events, an opportunity to meet the natural heritage with its peculiarities, its population and its lifestyle.
The first part take place in Sexten/Sesto from Saturday 9th to Friday 15th June with a various programme of guided tours and hikes in the System 5 of the Dolomites World Heritage – as well as diverse evening events, in cooperation with the alpine school Three Peaks and the Nature Park Three Peaks. The festival continues on 17th June in Aldein/Aldino at the GEOPARC Bletterbach in the System 8, with workshops and games for children and families, information for friends and fans of the Dolomites, field trips and walks for nature lovers and geology enthusiasts, local products and delicious treats for gourmets.
Programme 9-15th June in Sexten/Sesto
Saturday 09.06.2018 from 11.00 am at Kreuzbergpass – Passo Monte Croce
Opening of the via ferrata circuit “Dolomites without borders” and of the Dolomites UNESCO Fest. Inauguration of the first and unique, cross-border alpine path composed of via ferratas in Europe. A great pleasure for all via ferrata fans – on old military routes, through trenches and galleries. Where 100 years ago in the First World War new frontlines were created, now in the year 2018 this region becomes a place of meeting and friendship – a path of peace called “Dolomites without borders”, walkable for the first time. The inauguration of the path falls within the opening ceremony of the Dolomites UNESCO Fest, an appointment for all people and friends of the Dolomites at Passo Monte Croce on the border between the provinces Bolzano and Belluno, with authentic live music from the Pusteria valley, folkloristic dance groups from Comelico and much more. An information stand of the Nature Park Visitor Centre Three Peaks and the Alpine School Sesto – Three Peaks as well as experiments and handicraft works with natural materials for kids round off the event.
Sunday 10.06.2018 at 8.30 a.m., meeting point at the Hotel Dolomitenhof
Presentation and guided hiking tour Dolomites UNESCO GEOtrail
Presentation of the new long-distance hiking trail Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail. This is followed by a guided walk through stage one of the Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail, which leads along existing footpaths from Sexten/Sesto to the Bletterbach. The hiking route is aimed at the experienced hiker who wants to hike through the fossil marine landscape of the World Heritage.
Sunday 10.06.2018 at 8.00 pm (in German) and at 9 pm (in Italian) in the “Haus Sexten”
Lecture “All about the geology of the Dolomites”
A lecture by mountain guide and geologist Christian Sordo on the geology of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage.
Monday 11.06.2018 at 9.00 am, meeting point at the Kreuzbergpass – Passo Monte Croce
Geological themed hike “Geology – Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage”.
Tuesday 12.06.2018 at 9.00 am, meeting point at the valley station of the cable car Rotwand – Croda Rossa (Val Fiscalina/Fischleintal)
Historical hike – Hiking in the footsteps of the 1st World War
Tuesday 12.06.2018 at 8.30 p.m. in the “Haus Sexten”
A visual experience with music and photos by the nature photographer Josef Hackhofer on the special features of the flora and fauna in the Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage.
Wednesday 13.06.2018 at 9.00 am, meeting point at the Alpine School Sesto Three Peaks
Guided walk on the theme of flora and fauna in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage.
Thursday 14.06.2018 at 10.15 am, meeting point at the Auronzo Mountain Hut
Naturalistic hike. A qualified nature park guide shows you how beautiful nature is, but also how complex and sensitive, to encourage a more understandingly and respectful treatment of nature.
Thursday 14.06.2018 at 8.00 pm – climbing hall Dolomitenarena Sexten
Lecture evening with renowned protagonists from the alpine scene and subsequent panel discussion on the topic “Mass on mountains“, among others with alpinist Steve House and expedition provider Lukas Furtenbach.
Friday 15.06.2018 at 3.45 am, meeting point at the Alpine School Sesto Three Peaks
Sunrise hike to the top of the mountain to observe the unique natural spectacle over the Dolomites of Sexten/Sesto.
Further information:
Tourismusverein Sexten / Associazione Turistica Sesto
Programme 17th June at the GEOPARC Bletterbach
Excursions within the Dolomites UNESCO Fest:
- at 8.00 am: start at the Lavazé Pass for the first stage of the new GEOTrail with assessor Richard Theiner and other guests of honour; guide: Office for Geology and GEOPARC Bletterbach (5,5 hours)
- at 9.30 am: start at the GEOMuseum at Radein/Redagno; guide: AVS Aldein, Office for Geology and GEOPARC Bletterbach (3,5 hours)
- at 10.00 am: start at the Sanctuary Maria Weißenstein; guide: CAI Bolzano and GEOPARC Bletterbach (2 hours)
- at 10.00 am: start at the centre of Aldein/Aldino; guide: AVS Aldein, Office for Geology and GEOPARC Bletterbach (3 hours)
From 10.00: information and workshops:
- information on the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage with the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation and the local Office for Natural Parks
- information and workshops on prehistoric reptiles, trails and fossils with the Natural Museum South Tyrol, the MUSE of Trento and the Geolocial Museum of Predazzo from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm; programme for children at the Laneralm from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm including a workshop with plaster
- information and short guided tours on life in the wood and the work of foresters with the local Forest Administration
- geological information in the Bletterbach gorge and at the panoramic point with the local Office for Geology and the MUSE of Trento
At 10.00, 10.30 and at 11.00 am: guided tours to the Bletterbach gorge
For all who prefer to explore the gorge on their own, the staff of the Office for Geology will be present at several interesting points in the Bletterbach and explain the characteristics of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage.
At 10.00 am: Holy Mass with Josef Matzneller and the wind ensemble of the Musikkapelle Aldein/Aldino at the pasture above the Visitor Centre GEOPARC Bletterbach.
From 10.00 am: local dishes and refreshing beverages at the Laneralm with local assosciations and producers.
At 13.00: arrival of the GEOTrail hiking group.
At 2.00 pm: official ceremony; moderation: Theo Hendrich
At 5.00 pm: conclusion.
How to arrive:
Preferably, you arrive to the Dolomites UNESCO Fest by public bus from Auer/Ora or Neumarkt/Egna (course 142) and then from Aldein/Aldino directly to the Visitor Centre (course 146). Alternatively you can participate in the guided tours (see programme above). If you arrive with your own car, there will be a pasture to be used for parking and you can arrive to the festival using the shuttle service or by foot. In case of rain during the week before the event, you will have to park at the centre of Aldein/Aldino.
Further information:
Ph. Pixcube.it and Christian Weber