(photo by: Enrico Vettorazzo)
Establishment
Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park was established with a Ministerial Decree on 20th April 1990. The Park Authority, managing the protected area, was born on 12th July 1993, with a decree of the President of the Republic.
Size
About 32,000 hectares, out of which 16,000 already protected by 8 Nature Reserves belonging to the biogenetic reserve network of the Council of Europe, managed by the former Azienda di Stato per le Foreste Demaniali.
Location
Veneto Region, central-southern section of Belluno Province, between the valleys of Cismon in the west and Piave in the east, with spurs in the north towards the basin of Maè (Val Prampèr) and the lower Agordino area. The involved mountain groups are Alpi Feltrine (Vette di Feltre, Cimonega, Pizzocco-Brendol-Agnelezze), Feruch-Monti del Sole, Schiara-Talvéna, Prampèr-Spiz di Mezzodì.
Territory
The Park territory includes medium and high-mountain environments and is situated between the valleys of Cismon in the west and Piave in the east, with spurs in the north towards the basin of Maè (Val Prampèr) and the lower area of Agordo. The mountain groups involved are Alpi Feltrine (Vette, Cimonega, Pizzocco-Brendol-Agnelezze), Pizzon-Feruch-Monti del Sole (between Valli del Mis and Cordevole), Schiara-Pelf, and Talvéna, in the north-eastern section.
Nearby there are other protected areas (already established or to be established) contributing to the creation of a network of great biogeographical importance: Prealpi Carniche Park, Cansiglio, Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Park, and the proposed Lagorai Park.
Main Summits
Schiara (2,565m), Sass de Mura (2,550m), Talvéna (2,542m), Castello di Moschesin (2,499m), Prampèr (2,409m), Paviòne (2,335m).
Main Streams
Cordévole, Mis, Caoràme, Stién, Falcìna, Ardo, Vescovà, Prampèra.
Municipalities Involved
The Park includes the territories belonging to 15 Municipalities: Sovramonte, Pedavena, Feltre, Cesiomaggiore, San Gregorio nelle Alpi, Santa Giustina, Sospirolo, Sedico, Belluno, Ponte nelle Alpi, Longarone, Val di Zoldo, La Valle Agordina, Rivamonte, and Gosaldo.
Flora
Over 1,400 vascular species, among which different rarities and entities of great biogeographical interest.
Fauna
All the alpine species are well represented (ungulates, birds of prey, tetraonids). Interesting invertebrate fauna with presence of endemic species. Spontaneous return of some specimens of lynx and bear.
Symbol
It is the Campanula morettiana, an endemic species of the Dolomite Mountains, with beautiful and showy violet blossoms (it blooms after mid-July), which can be frequently found in the Park territory on the wet cliffs at over 1,000 – 1,200 meters of altitude.
Surveillance
It is carried out by the State Corps of Foresters through the Local Offices for the Environment.
Local Offices in Pian d’Avéna, Candàten, Longarone, and Sospirolo.