The best alpine flower walk in the Dolomites?

[David Sellars]

The photo titled "Competition" shows a "single bun" with Saxifraga oppositifolia on the left, Eritrichium nanum in the centre and Saxifraga paniculata on the right.  It demonstrates the  attractiveness of the location for alpines with the plants competing for the best niches.

The photo titled "Rock contrast" shows a marked delineation between the rock types on the ridge with whitish limestone contrasting with brown metamorphic acidic rock. There is an immediate change in the plant communities at the boundaries.

[David Sellars]

The photo titled "Crevice garden" shows layered metamorphic rock with numerous plants in the cracks.  At the bottom, Saxifraga paniculata can be seen coming into flower and a there are a large number of Eritrichium and Sempervivum.

When we were on the ridge 9 days ago the Saxifraga caesia was not in flower.

[David Sellars]

Surprisingly, the Androsace alpina were still looking magnificent, on the shaded north side of the ridge.

[David Nicholson]

Wonderful pictures, many thanks for posting.

[David Sellars]

At the summit of Cima Acholet, the acidic metamorphic rock becomes very dominant.  The Primula glutinosa were still in flower clinging to tiny cracks in the rock face. It was raining quite hard so it was difficult to keep drops off the camera lens.

On the route back to the chairlift, I was delighted to find Saxifraga crustata among limestone boulders. It is not that common in the Dolomites.

[David Sellars]

I made a short video of our July 16 trip along the Cresta de le Sele.  It can be viewed here:

[Maggi Young]

David! This was the best treat for a monday morning  I felt transported to this beautiful place - thank you.

[astragalus]

Wonderful photos, David.  It's on my top 5 list, which keeps changing every year!

[Matt T]

A perfect 'virtual' lunchtime stroll

[David Sellars]

Wonderful photos, David.  It's on my top 5 list, which keeps changing every year!

Thanks Anne.  I would be interested to know what your current top 5 are.  Like you, we love the Dolomites and are always looking  for recommendations.

[jandals]

 
I've been really enjoying your posts David . Always interesting to revisit an area a few weeks later

Cheers
Steve

[astragalus]

David, have you tried the walk at Paso L'Erbe?  Wonderful plants on the way to the Pass and then take the trail to the left towards the peak.  If you still have energy to spare, go back to the Pass and instead of returning the way you came take the other trail down which takes you through wonderful plants as you walk around the entire mountain to end up eventually where you started.  It's a long walk, shorter to come back down the Pass the way you came.  Rifugios, but not high up.

Another favorite is the hike up to Paso Cir from the Gardena Pass. Head towards Jimmy Hutte and you'll see a trail map.  From Paso Cir take the right hand trail to Paso Crespeina, my favorite.  Ranunculus alpestris and Sax. oppositifolia are rife.  It's a great trail for plants.  Don't bother with it if it's a late snow year because the second trail will be all snow.

[David Sellars]

Thanks for the suggestions Anne.  We have been up to the Paso Crespeina a few times - some amazing limestone scenery on the way. We have never been to Paso L'Erbe.  It looks interesting and will definitely try it out next time.

[astragalus]

  We have been up to the Paso Crespeina a few times - some amazing limestone scenery on the way.
[/quote]

I call the area a "moonscape".  Have you taken the hike to Puez?  Absolutely superb.  Ranunculus grows all along the top part of the walk like a groundcover.

[David Sellars]

We have been to the Rifugio Puez a number of times.  We take the Dantercepies gondola from Selva to a point above Passo Gardena, head over the plateau to the rifugio and then walk down Vallunga back to Selva.  It is a little long but a lovely walk.

The Ranunculus alpestris are indeed amazing- thousands of them.  In 2004 we found a double form and I wrote about it in the NARGS Quarterly.

https://www.nargs.org/sites/default/files/free-rgq-downloads/VOL_64_NO_1.pdf