Livinallongo Del Col Di Lana – Arabba, the Dolomites and History

Livinallongo Del Col Di Lana is a mountain destination where nature experiences and cultural history come together. Arabba is a hamlet in the municipality of Livinallongo Del Col Di Lana, located at an altitude of 1,602 metres at the foot of the Sella Group and the Passo Campolongo and Passo Pordoi. You can choose from various themes when planning your trip: hiking trails and cycling routes, winter sports, or places that tell the story of Ladin culture and the history of Col di Lana.

Hiking and mountain trails around Arabba

The mountains around Arabba offer hiking trails through forests and meadows, across streams and up to mountain peaks. By respecting the natural habitat, you can spot marmots, hares and deer along the trails. One specific route is the Pieve di Livinallongo–Col di Lana–Monte Sief trail. It passes close to the entrance to the Italian mine tunnels used to blow up the summit of Col di Lana on the night of 17–18 April 1916. The route also reaches a chapel overlooking Col di Lana, with a 360-degree panoramic view of the Dolomites. The same route therefore brings both the views and the history of the summit into focus.

Another kind of mountain excursion is the Ferrata delle Trincee, which runs from Porta Vescovo to Passo Padon. These routes describe different activities, so when planning, it is worth focusing on the activity and route you want rather than treating them as interchangeable outings.

Cycling and winter sports

There are also various cycling options. Mountain bikers can choose routes of different difficulty levels, including singletrack trails. The Sellaronda MTB Tour starts in Arabba. Road cycling routes from there cross Passo Pordoi, Passo Campolongo, Passo Falzarego, Passo Gardena, Passo Fedaia and Passo Giau. The two cycling options are therefore distinct: mountain bike trails and a tour that starts in the village, and routes over several named mountain passes.

In winter, the Arabba–Marmolada ski area is part of Dolomiti Superski. Arabba is also one of the starting points for the Sellaronda ski circuit.

History and Ladin culture

The history of Col di Lana is closely linked to the events of the First World War: Italian troops captured the summit after a mine was detonated on the night of 17–18 April 1916. The Museo storico Col di Lana “Carlo Ragnes” displays wartime relics in two rooms on the first floor and in the ground-floor atrium. The Museo Ladino Fodom covers the history of the valley, from the earliest archaeological finds to important events in modern times, including the First and Second World Wars. Flora, fauna and geology are also among the topics the museum uses to document the local environment.

Other historic sites offer a different perspective. The Chiesa parrocchiale di San Giacomo Maggiore in Pieve dates from the 15th century. Castello di Andraz includes a structure dating from the 14th century, whose remains have been altered several times over the course of history. The castle stands on a rocky spur and is adapted to its slope and the natural contours of the land. Educational activities, exhibitions and guided tours take place there in summer; if you plan to attend one, check the relevant dates. The Vecchio Mulino di Arabba is a place of remembrance and an example of vernacular engineering. Its surviving features include gears made of very hard wood.

Getting there and choosing a focus for your trip

If travelling by road from Belluno, drive through the Agordino to Alleghe and Caprile, then follow the signs to Livinallongo and Arabba. When looking for a hotel in Livinallongo Del Col Di Lana, you can first consider which aspects of the destination you want your days to revolve around: mountain sports and mountain passes, skiing or cultural history. This will help you compare options based on your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Lorenzago Di Cadore, Fener, Pian del Cansiglio, Sappada, Sospirolo, Chies D'alpago, Pascoli, Spert.

For the broader travel overview: Belluno.