22.07.2025
- Air
The Abundance of Summer in the Dolomites
Summer in the Dolomites is a season of abundance, when nature reveals its full strength and beauty. Under the steady influence of the sun, the vitality of plants and animals reaches its peak: forests glow in deep green, mountain meadows unfold into a vibrant carpet of wildflowers, and the clear air is filled with the hum of insects and the murmur of streams fed by melting snow. For centuries, people have sought the mountains during the summer months. In earlier times, this was not only for the joy of the refreshing altitude but also for practical reasons. While the valleys often sweltered in oppressive heat, the so-called Sommerfrische on the alpine pastures offered pleasant temperatures, fresh spring water, and lush grazing land. Cattle were driven to the higher meadows, where they could nourish themselves on mineral-rich grasses and herbs, while farmers lived in huts and transformed the fresh milk into butter and cheese. The wildlife, too, thrives in this season of plenty: wild animals find ample food on the herb-filled pastures, building reserves for the coming winter. Chamois, marmots, and red deer are frequently seen, while birds such as the golden eagle trace majestic circles in the sky. Thus, summer in the Dolomites is more than just a season—it is a symbol of abundance, vitality, and harmony between humans, animals, and nature. It serves as a reminder that the highlands have always offered protection and refreshment, and that the mountains at this time become a place of retreat, renewal, and inner strength.
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