What is a Bergsteigerdorf, a mountaineers’ village? An authentic place that has remained intact in the culture and tradition of the mountain, nestling amid the unspoilt nature of the Alps, an area able to inspire and educate visitors to adopt a virtuous, respectful approach to the environment. Thanks to a project that began in 2014, the Val di Zoldo, with Zoppé di Cadore and Cibiana, in the heart of the Dolomites, has become part of this international concept, particularly widespread in Austria, but also present in Slovenia and Germany.
The network of villages is based on the cornerstones of the Alpine Convention, and must respect the criteria that make these villages so different from other tourist destinations. The villages must be small, with accommodation facilities that are not designed for large numbers and are thus able to create the sort of family atmosphere alpine villages are able to inspire in the collective imagination.
The massive presence of Man, and the impact of human activity, represented, for example, by the cableways and other lift facilities, must be reduced and balanced with a respectful, sustainable approach to the mountains.
Villages must be interesting from a mountaineering and landscape point of view, with organisations such as the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) always at the disposal of visitors, as well as suitably trained tourist operators able to provide general information on everything from the conditions and characteristics of the walking paths to interesting aspects of local folklore.
Click here to discover the Bergsteigerdoerfer accommodation in the Val di Zoldo.
Thanks to the Val di Zoldo section of the Italian Alpine Club for their invaluable collaboration in preparing the material.
