Highlights
The Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites was established on 22 March 1990 by Act number 21 of the Veneto Region and spreads out over an area of 11,000 hectares to the north of Cortina d'Ampezzo on the border with Alto Adige (South Tyrol) in the heart of the Eastern Dolomites.
The Park encompasses the ancient property jointly owned by the "Regole d’Ampezzo”, a vast area of woodland and grassland comprised within the boundaries of the local Municipality.
The "Regole", or Family Mountain Communities, are age-old land managing bodies made up of the native families of the early settlers for the joint use and administration of pastures and forests. Believed to date back to the times of Celtic and Roman colonizations, today the institution is recognized by the Italian government and epitomizes the historical and cultural tradition of the lively local community.
Created with the agreement of the General Board of the "Regolieri" (members or the Regole), the Park was entrusted by the Veneto Region to the managing competence of the Regole d'Ampezzo "... in accordance with the ancient rules laid down for the management of Ampezzo’s natural heritage, preserved and defended over hundreds of years”.
The protected area is V-shaped, with the tip pointing northwards and wedged into the Fanes - Senes Braies Natural Park, forming with it a territory of homogeneous environmental features for a total extension of 37,000 hectares. The Park's territories are likewise homogeneous as regards the land use since neither tourist facilities, such as ski runs or lifts, nor buildings of any kind are to be found in the whole area. Thus the zoning between sylvan, pastoral and natural reserve areas was fairly easy.
The massifs of Tofana, Fanes, Col Bechei, Croda Rossa d'Ampezzo, Cristallo - separated respectively by Val Travenanzes, Val di Fanes, the upper Boite valley and Val Felizon - are all within the protected area. The valleys are narrow and deeply embanked at the junction point where the main access to the Park is located while, higher on, they open out into vast tablelands. The Rio Falzarego valley, which runs along the western branch, and the Padeon valley, which runs along the eastern branch of the wedge, form the southern boundary of the Park. The highest peaks soar over 3,200 metres above sea level and nestle some little glaciers in the recesses of their north-facing slopes. Mount Tofana and Mount Cristallo are characterized by sheer rock faces often re aching as far down as the subalpine forest belt, while the massifs of Fanes and Croda Rossa present less dramatic differences in height and alternate karst table lands with high altitude grasslands.
Regulations
- Motor vehicles are not allowed in the Park, except farm and forestry machines, mountain rescue and catering vehicles. Air crafts cannot land in or fly low over the Park. Helicopter skiing is forbidden;
- On the main approach road to the Park there are camping sites and parking areas for cars and mobile homes. Fixed bivouacs and refuges are available at the higher elevations for those who want to stay overnight. Camping is forbidden on the Park grounds;
- Bonfires of any kind are strictly forbidden: it takes very little to destroy a century-old forest;
- Mushrooms, even if not edible, flowers, trees and plants of any kind are protected and cannot be gathered or damaged. The same applies to fossils, rocks and minerals;
- Likewise protected is the Park fauna: do not pester the animals, big and small, leave their dwelling, brooding and feeding places alone;
- Keep the Park clean. Do not leave any garbage be hind, take it home with you;
- Dogs must be kept on the leash. The Park animals can be frightened or wounded by unleashed dogs;
- Do not ride your mountain bike in the Park: footpaths are meant for hikers;
- Do not damage the Park signs and facilities: they were set up for your benefit and convenience;
- The Park keepers are required to enforce rules, report offences and apply sanctions.
Useful information
 There are many access foot-ways and roads into the Park, mainly along the national road n. 51 Alemagna from Fiames to Passo Cimabanche on the borderline with Alto Adige (South Tyrol) and the road n. 48 of the Dolomites towards Passo Falzarego and Passo Tre Croci. Five additional approach ways are provided by the Lagazuoi and Tofana cablecars, the Cristallo chair-lift, the mountain roads leading to Rifugio Dibona and Malga Ra Stua. The Malga Ra Stua road is closed to car traffic from mid-July to mid-September and a jeep shuttle service covers the stretch from the departure station, located 2 km. north of Fiames near the Felizon Bridge, to the Malga.
There is no easy access along the north-eastern boundary because the borderline follows a soaring mountain ridge; however, on the north-western side of the Park Vallon di Lagazuoi, Val di Fanes, Alpe di Fodara Vedla, Val Salata provide as many leisurely gateways.
The territory is criss-crossed by foot paths, hiking trails, roads closed to traffic, while on the Tofana, Cristallo, Cime di Fanes groups you find the "Vie Ferrate" (Iron Routes) with such fixed climbing aids as iron ladders and ropes. For any information you may need on the Park area a visitor centre has been set up at the Felizon Bridge on the main approach road to the Park. You may also call in at the Alpine Guides office in Cortina and find out about the guided excursions of naturalistic inter est. In the protected and adjoining area there are 16 refuges, 12 of which are open also in winter, and 6 high-altitude bivouacs. Two traditional, locally important buildings located on the Park grounds, Malga Ra Stua and the Ospitale restaurant, are owned by the Regole.
Above, Fiames information point, where shuttle-service is available.
How to get there
 By road:
Driving along the A27 Mestre–Belluno motorway, exit at Pian de Vedoia (last exit); continue along the SS51 d’Alemagna highway in the direction of Cortina.
From the A22 Modena–Brenner motorway, take the Bressanone exit and drive along the main Val Pusteria highway in the direction of Dobbiaco. At Dobbiaco, turn off towards Cortina.
Cortina can also be reached from the main SS 48 of the Dolomites highway through either the Falzarego or Tre Croci-Misurina Passes.
By rail:
The main line is the Venice Santa Lucia-Calalzo di Cadore. At Calalzo continue by connection bus to Cortina. There is also the Padua-Calalzo di Cadore line via Castelfranco, Belluno.
From the north runs the Fortezza-Dobbiaco line, with bus connections to Cortina.
In the high season, there is a direct Rome-Calalzo di Cadore train with car transport service.
By air:
The nearest airports are Treviso, Venice, Verona and Innsbruck in Austria.
Telephone numbers
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