The nine Systems of the Dolomites

Pelmo and Croda da Lago

Covering an area of 4,344 hectares, all within the boundaries of the Province of Belluno, the Pelmo-Croda da Lago System extends to the north-west/south-east taking in Valle del Bóite to the east, Val di Zoldo and Val Fiorentina to the south, Val Codalonga to the west, and Val Costeana to the north.

The System takes its name from its two most well-known peaks, but includes others of no less importance such as Lastoi de Formin and Monte Cernera. Within just a few kilometres there is an extraordinary variety of formations, from the rugged peaks of Croda da Lago to the verdant pastures of Mondeval. Pelmo dominates, and history was made on this peak when it became the first in the Dolomites to be conquered by mountaineers, with John Ball’s successful ascent in 1857.

Pelmo and Croda da Lago 1

Geology

In this System some 100 million years of history are written with surprising continuity. On Monte Cernera, traces still exist of the beginnings of the Triassic archipelago and its evolution during the Ladinian period, while at the summit, more recent fossils can be found that represent the next chapter in the archipelago’s story. The history of the archipelago marches on with the Lastoi de Formin and Le Rocchette. At medium altitude, we find the Main Dolomite rock that created the tidal plain established at the end of the Triassic period, while at the summit the rock bears witness to the sinking that began at the end of the Triassic period. The Pelmo-Croda da Lago System is considered a geomorphological jewel in the crown, on a planetary scale, for the extreme diversity of its morphology. The complex stratigraphic architecture is faithfully reflected in the continuous progression of slabs and walls of calcareous and Dolomite rock that give way to undulating lush saddles and gentle slopes carved out of argillaceous and volcanic rock.

The geology of System 1: Pelmo and Croda da lago – PDF

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Accessible Dolomites

Museums

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Stages of the Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail: 45-47

360° pictures of the Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail: Monte Pelmo, Lastoi de Formin

In this System some 100 million years of history are written with surprising continuity. On Monte Cernera, traces still exist of the beginnings of the Triassic archipelago and its evolution during the Ladinian period, while at the summit, more recent fossils can be found that represent the next chapter in the archipelago’s story. The history of the archipelago marches on with the Lastoi de Formin and Le Rocchette. At medium altitude, we find the Main Dolomite rock that created the tidal plain established at the end of the Triassic period, while at the summit the rock bears witness to the sinking that began at the end of the Triassic period. The Pelmo-Croda da Lago System is considered a geomorphological jewel in the crown, on a planetary scale, for the extreme diversity of its morphology. The complex stratigraphic architecture is faithfully reflected in the continuous progression of slabs and walls of calcareous and Dolomite rock that give way to undulating lush saddles and gentle slopes carved out of argillaceous and volcanic rock.

The geology of System 1: Pelmo and Croda da lago – PDF

Mountain huts

Accessible Dolomites

Museums

High quality

Stages of the Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail: 45-47

360° pictures of the Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail: Monte Pelmo, Lastoi de Formin

View on Monte Pelmo. Croda da Lago and Lastoi de Formin in the foreground.View on Monte Pelmo with Croda da Lago in the foreground.Monte Pelmo

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Rifugio Palmieri, forcella Ambrizzola, casera Mondeval de Sora, forcella Ambrizzola

Passo Giau, forcella Giau, Conca di Mondeval, forcella Ambrizzola