The village on the lake at the foot of the Civetta, with the great north west face mirrored in the water.
A short history
Alleghe sits at 979 metres, on the shore of its lake, at the foot of the north west face of Monte Civetta. The village is gathered around the water, with houses running down to the shore and the great wall of rock closing the horizon. It is one of the most photographed spots in the Belluno Dolomites.
The lake is not ancient. It was born in 1771, when a landslide breaking off Mount Piz dammed the course of the Cordevole stream and drowned several villages. The water halted the valley and created the mirror that today reflects the Civetta. From tragedy, over time, the lake became the symbol of the village.
Alleghe has a long sporting tradition. Its ice hockey was for decades an important school of the Italian game. In winter the Ski Civetta lifts set out from here, while in summer the lake and the trails toward the Coldai and the Tissi hut draw hikers from across the Dolomites.
The 1771 landslide did not come alone. On the evening of 11 January some thirty million cubic metres of rock broke away from Mount Piz and overwhelmed the villages of Riete, Fusine and Marin, with dozens of dead. The rising water slowly drowned other hamlets along the Cordevole. On the first of May that same year a second landslide sent down more rock and raised a wave that struck the opposite shore. The remains of those villages still lie beneath the surface of the lake.
The face mirrored in the water is one of the most celebrated in the Alps. German alpinists called it the wall of walls. On 7 August 1925 Emil Solleder and Gustav Lettenbauer opened the direct route up a thousand metres of rock to the summit, held to be the first sixth grade climb in the Alps. Ever since, the north west face of the Civetta has been a symbol of Dolomite climbing.
Alleghe Hockey was founded in 1933. For years the village had the honour of being one of the smallest in Europe with a team in the top division. It reached its first title final in 1985 against Bolzano and won the Alpenliga in 1992. The bond with the ice grew from the lake itself and from the long mountain winters.
How to fit Alleghe into a three, five or seven day trip: The Dolomites in 3, 5 or 7 Days: How to Plan Your Trip.
What to see
- The north west face of Monte Civetta, the great wall of rock mirrored in the lake of Alleghe.
- Lake Coldai on Alta Via 1, a small high mountain pool along the trail toward the Civetta.
- The Tissi hut, a panoramic balcony over the Civetta face, a classic goal of the hike from Alleghe.
How to get to Alleghe
By car, leave the A27 at Belluno or Longarone and climb the Cordevole valley along the road toward Agordo and Cencenighe. The nearest railway station is Belluno, linked to Alleghe by line buses. The village looks out over the lake, on the road that climbs toward the Staulanza Pass.
When to go
In summer the lake and the trails toward the Coldai and the Tissi hut are at their best, with clear water and peaks free of snow. In winter the Ski Civetta lifts set out from the village and lead onto the Civetta slopes. In autumn the woods around the lake turn warm colours.
Frequently asked questions
How was the lake of Alleghe formed?
The lake was born in 1771 from a landslide breaking off Mount Piz, which dammed the Cordevole stream and drowned several villages. The gathered water created the mirror that today reflects the face of the Civetta.
What is there to see in Alleghe?
The lake with the reflection of the north west face of the Civetta, the great wall of rock that dominates the village, and the high trails toward Lake Coldai and the Tissi hut. In winter the Ski Civetta lifts set out from here.
Can you swim in the lake of Alleghe?
The lake is of mountain origin and the water stays cold even in summer. Many prefer to walk along the shore, hire a rowing boat or fish. The loop of the lake is an easy walk suitable for everyone.
Why is Alleghe known for ice hockey?
Alleghe Hockey was founded in 1933 and for years the village was one of the smallest in Europe with a team in the top division. It reached its first title final in 1985 and won the Alpenliga in 1992. The bond with the sport grew from the lake and the long mountain winters.
Why is the Civetta face famous among climbers?
The north west face of the Civetta is called the wall of walls. On 7 August 1925 Emil Solleder and Gustav Lettenbauer opened the direct route up a thousand metres of rock, held to be the first sixth grade climb in the Alps. It has been a symbol of Dolomite climbing ever since.
Are there submerged villages in the lake of Alleghe?
Yes. The 1771 landslide overwhelmed the hamlets of Riete, Fusine and Marin, and the rising water drowned other villages along the Cordevole. The remains of those settlements still lie beneath the surface of the lake. The story is told on the panels along the shore.