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Dolomites
WHERE : NORTHERN ITALY image : getty
Sculpted from dolomitic limestone , the ashen Dolomites , or ‘ Pale Mountains ’, stretch across seven provinces in northeastern Italy and feature more than a dozen peaks that tower over 10,000 feet . Colossal massifs , vertical rock walls , sawtooth ridges and warped steeples rise from green meadows , braided rivers and gemstone lakes to make this one of the most picturesque mountainscapes in Europe .
Thrill-seekers will find a variety of ways to explore the Dolomites , from mountain biking and paragliding to winter sports . Avid hikers can try the Alte Vie , a series of long-distance trails numbered one through 10 . Accommodations are available in rifugi mountain huts along the way .
While the city of Bolzano in South Tyrol is considered the gateway to the Dolomites , there are dozens of small towns and villages that visitors can use as a base . The village of Kastelruth in the Alpe di Siusi — a meadow home to 280 miles of mixed-level trails — is a great choice for casual ramblers . Other points of interest here include a medicinal herb farm and a museum that explores the culture and customs of the area ’ s traditional inhabitants — the Ladin people . Hiking season starts in June , but for fall colors and quieter trails , go in September or October .
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