Livinallongo Del Col Di Lana: Mountains, History and Ladin Culture

Livinallongo Del Col Di Lana combines the mountain world of the Dolomites with an unusually rich history and visible traces of Ladin culture. Arabba lies as a locality within the municipality at an altitude of 1,602 metres at the foot of the Sella Group, as well as the Passo Campolongo and Passo Pordoi. This makes the area suitable for travellers who want to combine nature experiences, historic sites and regional culture in a mountain destination.

Mountain landscape and wildlife around Arabba

The mountains around Arabba offer hiking trails through forests and meadows. The paths cross streams and lead to mountain peaks. In the hiking area, if you treat the habitat with respect, you can observe marmots, hares and deer. The Museo Ladino Fodom also focuses on the landscape itself: it documents the local environment through its flora, fauna and geology.

Hiking routes with historical connections

The Pieve di Livinallongo–Col di Lana–Monte Sief route passes close to the entrance of the Italian mine tunnels. These tunnels were used to blow up the summit of Col di Lana on the night of 17–18 April 1916. The same route reaches a chapel that overlooks Col di Lana and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Dolomites. The Ferrata delle Trincee leads from Porta Vescovo to Passo Padon.

Cycling and winter sports

Arabba offers mountain bike trails with varying levels of difficulty, including single trails and the Sellaronda MTB Tour, which starts in the village. For road cycling, routes lead from Arabba over Passo Pordoi, Passo Campolongo, Passo Falzarego, Passo Gardena, Passo Fedaia and Passo Giau. In winter, the Arabba–Marmolada ski area is part of Dolomiti Superski. Arabba is also one of the starting points for the Sellaronda ski circuit.

History and Ladin culture

The summit of Col di Lana was conquered by Italian troops after a mine was detonated on the night of 17 April 1916. The Museo storico Col di Lana “Carlo Ragnes” displays war relics in two rooms on the first floor as well as in the building’s atrium on the ground floor. The Museo di storia, usi, costumi della gente ladina in Pieve was founded to preserve and convey the ancient Ladin culture in all its facets.

The Museo Ladino Fodom covers the history of the valley from the earliest archaeological finds to the major events of modern history, including the First and Second World Wars. In Pieve, the Chiesa parrocchiale di San Giacomo Maggiore dates from the 15th century. The Vecchio Mulino di Arabba is a memorial site and a remarkable example of traditional engineering; its gears, carved from very hard wood, are still completely intact.

Castles, travel arrangements and suitable focuses

Castello di Andraz comprises a building dating from the 14th century, the remains of which were modified several times over the course of history. It was built on a rocky spur and fully adapts to its slope and the natural morphological features. In summer, educational activities, exhibitions and guided tours take place there. Those arriving by road from Belluno travel through Agordino to Alleghe and Caprile, then follow the signs to Livinallongo and Arabba. This allows you to combine hiking, cycling, winter sports and culture according to your preferred pace when planning your trip.

Further destinations for orientation: Montebello, Santa Giustina, Auronzo Di Cadore, Sospirolo, Trichiana, Soccher, Castion, Villapiana-ronchena.

For the overarching travel overview: Belluno.