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from 90 €
Hotel Saltauserhof
Wellness hotel | St. Martin in Passeier
from 221 €
Alpenpalace Luxury Hideaway & Spa Retreat
Exclusive well-being oasis | St. Johann in Tauferer Ahrntal
from 131 €
SONNENHOF Sun/Spa/Panorama
Sporthotel | Pfalzen at Mt. Kronplatz
from 142 €
LANERHOF Active/Spa/Balance
Spa-Hotel | St. Lorenzen at Mt. Kronplatz
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from 94 €
Wirtshaushotel Alpenrose
Active hotel | St. Lorenzen at Mt. Kronplatz
7 = 6
Naturhotel Waldheim
Active hotel | Altrei in Southern South Tyrol
from 190 €
WINKLER Sport & Spa Resort
Design hotel | St. Lorenzen at Mt. Kronplatz
from 200 €
Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier
Sport & wellness resort | Passeiertal
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from 289 €
Wellness Refugium Alpin Royal
Charm & warmth | St. Johann in Tauferer Ahrntal
from 118 €
Granpanorama Hotel StephansHof
Winter sports | Villanders in Eisacktal
Tip
Holidays in Naturns near Meran
Nature, fun and well-being.
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from 110 €
Hotel Fameli
Family & spa resort | Olang at Mt. Kronplatz
from 174 €
MIRABELL DOLOMITES HOTEL
Luxury . Ayurveda & SPA | Olang at Mt. Kronplatz
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from 75 €
Hotel Gasthof Stern
Bikehotel | Deutschnofen in Eggental
from 110 €
Grand Hotel Bellevue
City hotel | Meran

Formation of the Dolomites

The Dolomites are about 250 millions years old and are composed mainly of sedimentary rocks and limestone. Today, we can hardly imagine that once the mighty mountains were an enormous coral reef, formed in the primordial ocean called Tethys.

Many million years ago, there was a large plain where the Dolomites are located today, that had become a tropical ocean with atolls and volcanos over the centuries.

During the Triassic, high coral reefs were formed by organisms and sediments. Due to the intensive volcanic activity, volcanic material was deposited between ad on top of the coral reefs again and again. The sediments on the sea floor had turned into rock over time and under high pressure.

As the Africa continental plate had approached the European plate, the mountains were lifted. Big rock masses slid on top of others and created folds. The Dolomites had received their typical appearance due to the weathering process, as the different rock layers were eroded at different velocities.

A typical characteristic of the Dolomites is the abrupt change between rugged rocks and hilly, green mountain pastures. Reasons for this are the rock formations, which are differently hard, the different composition of these formations and the alternate elevation or sinking due to earthquakes, volcanic explosions or flooding (e.g. this can be seen on the west face of Mt. Rosengarten).

Still today, many rocks in the Dolomites display fossilised inhabitants of the primordial ocean. Particularly beautiful and impressive fossils of the Dolomites can be seen in different South Tyrolean museums, such as in the Museum DoloMythos in Innichen, at GEOPARC Bletterbach or in the Museum of Nature in Bozen.

Déodat de Dolomieu

The name Dolomites derives from the French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu. He was the first to describe the fossilized coral reefs. Today, you can make the same geological discovery tours like De Dolomieu did in the 18th century.

A special tip for amateur geologists and scientists is for example the mountain crest Padon between Sella and Marmolada, completely consisting of lava rock; or the rugged Sexten Dolomites and the famous “Drei Zinnen” (Three Peaks of Lavaredo) with the same magnesian rock formations as Rosengarten. 

Current holiday offers

from 110 €
Familienhotel Bella Vista

Experience holiday with the whole family in Vinschgau: hiking programme, childcare, caressing ponies and time for relaxation.

To the hotel
from 122 €
Hotel & SPA RESORT Majestic

TOP hotel ****s in Pustertal - large garden with swimming pool, natural bathing pond, saunas, guided hikes and much more!

To the hotel
from 138 €
Vitalpina Hotel Schulerhof

A dream holiday - for active guests who enjoy relaxation, culinary delights, and friendly interactions.

To the hotel
from 100 €
Hotel Tirolerhof

Welcome to the Tirolerhof at the gateway to the Gsieser Valley. Your perfect place for active holidays and pure relaxation!

To the hotel

Images

Three Peaks - Dolomites
Three Peaks - Dolomites

The impressive mountains are located in the Sexten Dolomites and are a very famous photo spot.

Internet Consulting - Stefan Tolpeit
GEOPARC Bletterbach
GEOPARC Bletterbach

The UNESCO World Heritage Bletterbach gorge offers an insight into the geology of the Dolomites.

IDM Südtirol/oooyeah.de
Geisler Group in Villnöss
Geisler Group in Villnöss

The Geisler Group in Villnöss is located in the heart of Puez Geisler Nature Park in the Dolomites. It is a wonderful hiking area for the whole family.

Internet Consulting - Fabian Auer
Three Peaks
Three Peaks

The Three Peaks are an important natural sight in Hochpustertal and in the Dolomites.

Internet Consulting
Lake Prags with Mt. Seekofel
Lake Prags with Mt. Seekofel

The breath-takingly beautiful mountain lake in the Dolomites is located at the foot of the picturesque Mt. Seekofel.

Internet Consulting - Stefan Tolpeit

History

Selected accommodations in the Dolomites

Hotel Alpen Tesitin Panorama Wellness Resort - Welsberg-Taisten at Mt. Kronplatz
Top Hotel
Hotel Alpen Tesitin Panorama Wellness Resort
Welsberg-Taisten at Mt. Kronplatz
4.9 Excellent

South Tyrolean friendliness, modern feel-good ambience, magnificent view of the Dolomites, outdoor sun infinity pool with wow effect and 180° dream panorama.

from 199 € per day
Mirabell Dolomites Hotel . Luxury . Ayurveda & SPA - Olang at Mt. Kronplatz
Top Hotel
Mirabell Dolomites Hotel . Luxury . Ayurveda & SPA
Olang at Mt. Kronplatz
4.8 Excellent

Luxurious 5-star hotel in the Dolomites, with wellness world, golf school and gourmet cuisine, ideal for enjoyable and adventurous ski, hiking and bike holidays at Mt. Kronplatz.

from 174 € per day
Hotel Sonnalp - Obereggen in Eggental
Top Hotel
superior
Hotel Sonnalp
Obereggen in Eggental
4.9 Excellent

Award-winning cuisine (3 toques by Gault Millau), with modern rooms & suites, indoor pool and heated outdoor pool.

from 150 € per day
DAS MAJESTIC – HOTEL & SPA - Reischach at Mt. Kronplatz
Top Hotel
superior
DAS MAJESTIC – HOTEL & SPA
Reischach at Mt. Kronplatz
4.8 Excellent

Exclusive wellness hotel in a dreamlike position, with excellent cuisine & rich activity offer in the Kronplatz Dolomites Region!

from 145 € per day
Service