Observe nature's rhythms at Passo delle Erbe
The Dolomites pulse with untamed life. Forests, meadows and jagged peaks invite you to wander, breathe and feel the mountains’ raw, unfiltered spirit.
The Dolomites are alive with movement and rhythm, each season revealing a new chapter in the lives of the mountains’ wildlife.
From snow-covered forests to blooming alpine meadows, nature’s cycles dictate the behaviors, migrations, and interactions of its inhabitants.
Stillness hides a quiet struggle for survival
The silent winter
In winter, the mountains are cloaked in snow, and wildlife adapts to endure. Early risers can spot the tracks of roe deer and snow-white hares across the frost.
While some species descend to lower valleys for food, others brave the cold, seeking shelter or conserving energy.
Birds, including finches and the elusive ptarmigan, blend into the frozen world, while marmots hibernate and roe deer rely on summer fat reserves.
Life returns in color, song, and dance
Flowering meadows and courtship
As snow melts, meadows burst with alpine blooms. Migratory birds return, nesting and feeding their young.
The forest awakens to courtship rituals - capercaillies and black grouse display elaborate dances, while marmots emerge from their burrows, and deer begin their ascent toward lush summer pastures.
Every meadow hums with life
Summer: life in full swing
Late spring through summer brings abundance and motion. Roe deer graze in tall grasses, the spotted nutcracker hides seeds among the stone pines, and alpine choughs follow hikers along the ridges. On rocky cliffs, chamois move gracefully across terrain few others can reach.
The forest echoes with the voice of nature
Autumn: the roaring deer
Autumn signals the rutting season of the deer. Males challenge one another through roaring calls and antler clashes that echo through the valleys. As the air cools, roe deer shed their bright coats for grey-brown winter fur, regrouping in herds as the cycle begins anew.
