BINDELWEG
Contributed by David Sellars
FACTS
Country: Italy
Location: Dolomites
Round trip: 8 - 14 km
Start elevation: 2239 m
Final Elevation: 2400 - 2500 m
Maps: Tabacco 07 1:25,000
GETTING THERE
Drive west from Arabba to the Passo Pordoi. The trail heads due south from the parking lot.
PARTIAL PLANT LIST
Saxifraga oppositifolia
Eritrichium nanum
Pulsatilla vernalis
Pulsatilla alpina apiifolia
Nigitella nigra
Androsace alpina
Ranunculus glacialis
Clematis alpina
Saxifraga paniculata
Saxifraga exarata
Linaria alpina
Primula halleris
Primula elatior
Gentiana acaulis
The Bindelweg was made famous in Reginald Farrer’s 1913 book, The Dolomites. The path forms part of the Viel del Pan which was used in the Middle Ages for grain smuggling to avoid taxes imposed by the Venetian Republic.
The path from Passo Pordoi climbs up to the ridge which is composed of black volcanic rocks in contrast to the surrounding mountains. The route traverses east through steep meadows on the south side of the ridge with good views of Gran Vernel, Lago di Fedaia and Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites.
If you have enough time we recommend walking past the top of the gondola at Porta Vescovo and climbing partly up the shattered rocks on the ridge of the Bec da Mesdi. There are fine specimens of Eritrichium nanum and the white form of Androsace alpina on the ridge.
On the return to Passo Pordoi it is possible to follow a narrow path along the top of the Padon Ridge with more Eritrichium nanum, Clematis alpina, Ranunculus glacialis and Linaria alpina.
The meadows contain a variety of flowers including many primulas and the yellow Pulsatilla alpina apiifolia which only grows on acidic soils. To the right of the trail are some rock outcrops which contain Eritrichium nanum and Saxifraga paniculata.
BINDELWEG GALLERY
Click the arrows to start the slideshow or click on an image to expand. Move pointer over image to see caption
Photos take July 1
