The rocky landscapes of Wunhleger Lake in the Rosengarten Dolomites
In the simplicity of a mountain path lies the essence of our summer season. A single view that fills the soul and the mind. A gentle breeze that cools the atmosphere even when the sun is at its hottest. And then the vast, pale dolomitic walls that rise dramatically in the background of every path. This is how we take our first steps at the beginning of summer in the Val di Tires, a valley a few dozen kilometres from Bolzano in South Tyrol, nestled between the Sciliar and Rosengarten Dolomite groups.
A simple hike will allow you to admire the main peaks and walls of the Rosengarten, one of the most beautiful mountain groups in the Dolomites. The sharp profile of the Vajolet Towers is always in the background, catching our eyes with every step. In addition to the Towers, the Catinaccio (the peak that gives the name to the whole group) and the Croda of King Laurin are in front of us. Once out of the woods, a green clearing opens up in front of us: the Wuhnleger is just a short walk away, and we take each step, savouring and appreciating all that surrounds us.
The Wuhnleger reflects in its waters the profile of the main walls of the Catinaccio, in a position that seems deliberately chosen to create an idyllic scene. The "rose garden" of the Dolomites, that is the Catinaccio or Rosegarden in English, reminds us of that special optical phenomenon called enrosadira, where the dolomite walls turn pink and orange at every sunrise and sunset. However, we are walking in the middle of the day, with the warm summer sun warming our footsteps and some passing clouds in the sky, stationed just above the dolomitic peaks. We are wearing Dolomite's Nibelia GTX low boots, extremely light and breathable, ideal for the summer season, with their breathable mesh upper.
The profile of the Catinaccio rock formation never ceases to fascinate us with its jagged, sharp and spectacular peaks. From the top of the Catinaccio, we look south towards the wall of the Roda di Vael, which rises up in front of the valley formed by the Costalunga Pass. This pass separates the Catinaccio from the Latemar Dolomites, which are also clearly visible with their numerous sharp towers and jagged profiles, a characteristic that always fascinates dolomite profiles. We then pause for a moment to contemplate the summer atmosphere that accompanies us and the clouds that begin to gather in the distance. We listen to the sound of the wind and the scent of the air, while our eyes continue to lose themselves in the various points where the pale dolomitic rock mixes with the blue of the sky.
