Our environment

San Martino di Castrozza, Passo Rolle, Primiero, Vanoi

There is a place in the east of Trentino, where nature reigns sovereign, where the clear waters flow in vivid streams and where forests and pastures, ornated by colorful flowers, surround typical mountain villages.

Primiero, a typical alpine valley that is found in proximity of the majestic and imposing Pale di San Martino Dolomite mountain range, declared by the UNESCO a World Heritage Site.

Loved, explored, and renowned worldwide, the Pale di San Martino offer numerous possibilities to enjoy the mountain in its true essence.
Hiking, biking, climbing, canyoning and downhill are just some of the many activities that, in summer, you can practice in this small part of Trentino.

A holiday in these places is enriched by its precious natural environment, that is protected by the Natural Park Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino. Sustainability and respect for the environment are also realized with the initiatives of Green Way Primiero; among them are: the bike sharing service, use of electric cars and renewable energy that powers the skilifts.

These latter elements have allowed this territory to get the coveted award by Legambiente as a “100% renewable territory”. In winter, downhill skiing is the main sport practiced, there are 60 km of slopes in the ski area San Martino di Castrozza and Passo Rolle, entirely within the Natural Park Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino and is part of the Dolomiti Superski area.

The area is an ideal destination for lovers of freeride, here the charm of the snow reaches its highest levels thanks to incredible descents and unique views. Near to the Primiero Valley, the Vanoi valley, surrounded by the Lagorai mountains, offers to its guests a dive into history and traditions of mountain life of the past.

The territory of the Natural Park Paneveggio Pale di San Martino is located in the eastern Alps (Dolomites, Trentino) and is set around the catchment areas of the Cismon, Vanoi and Travignolo, including Val Venegia, the Paneveggio Forest, a large portion of Pale di San Martino, the eastern end of the Lagorai and a part of Lusia chain – Cima Bocche, areas that are Sites of Community Importance and Special Protection areas within the European network ‘Natura 2000’.

The extraordinary group of Pale di San Martino is one of nine mountain ranges included in the list of natural heritages recognised by UNESCO, World Human Heritage.

The park covers mainly a mountain area with altitudes generally higher than 1500 meters and covers an area of almost 200 square kilometres.
Differences in geology, in morphology and in altitude create in the Park different environments and highly diversified habitats, home to a rich vegetation with many rare and endemic species. The fauna is represented by all the major typical alpine species, with the exception of large carnivores. Very important are the populations of deer, roe deer, chamois. The ibex was reintroduced in the Park since 2000 and today has a colony of more than 60 units, that is expanding. Among the birds, to signal the golden eagle, the wood grouse, black grouse, rock ptarmigan, the hazel grouse and the rock partridge.