You know the Latemar at a glance, even without knowing its name. It is a crown of ragged spires suspended between the Val di Fiemme and the Val d'Ega, with the main ridge marking the boundary between the provinces of Trento and Bolzano. The highest summit is the Cimon del Latemar at 2,842 metres, but it is the whole that strikes you: a line of towers that catches pink and orange at sunset, the enrosadira that made these mountains famous.
Geologically it is a piece of history. The group is what remains of an ancient coral reef from 240 million years ago, grown in a tropical sea and later lifted, and it is one of the places where that structure reads most clearly in the whole of the Dolomites. It is no accident that the Latemar is one of the systems recognised by UNESCO: it is not just beautiful, it is an archive in stone.
At its foot are the two reasons most people come this far. To the north, Lake Carezza, the small sheet of water in which the group reflects itself, probably the most reproduced postcard in South Tyrol. A little higher, towards the Passo Costalunga and Obereggen, lies the Latemar labyrinth: a spread of enormous boulders left by ancient collapses, with a waymarked path threading between them that is a game for children and a geology lesson for adults.
In winter the Obereggen, Pampeago and Predazzo side becomes a compact, well-kept ski area, linked into the Dolomiti Superski circuit and known for reliable snow and floodlit evening runs. In summer the Latemar is hiking and via ferrata country, with routes that range from a walk in the woods to demanding ridge traverses. To work out what suits you, start from our Dolomites trekking guide and the Val di Fiemme page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Latemar?
Between the Val di Fiemme, in the province of Trento, and the Val d'Ega, in the province of Bolzano: the summit ridge marks the boundary between the two. The villages you climb from are mainly Predazzo, Obereggen, Pampeago and Nova Levante, and Lake Carezza lies at its foot.
What is the highest peak of the Latemar?
The Cimon del Latemar, at 2,842 metres. But the group is made of many closely spaced spires and towers, and it is that serrated profile, more than the altitude, that makes the Latemar recognisable from far away.
What is the Latemar labyrinth?
A spread of large boulders left by ancient collapses on the flank of the group, crossed by a waymarked path that threads between the blocks. It is one of the best-loved family walks in the area, because weaving through the boulders entertains children while the route stays easy.
Is the Latemar a ski area?
Yes. The Obereggen, Pampeago and Predazzo side forms a ski area linked into the Dolomiti Superski circuit, valued for reliable snow cover and for floodlit evening skiing. In summer the same lifts serve walkers and cyclists.
Why is the Latemar a UNESCO site?
Because it is one of the systems that make up the Dolomites property recognised by UNESCO in 2009, both for its landscape and for its geology: its rock preserves the structure of an ancient coral reef from around 240 million years ago, readable with rare clarity.