Dolomiti senza confini as an Interreg project

“Dolomiti senza confini – Dolomites without borders” is a via ferrata high route that crosses provincial-, state- and language boarders in nine daily stages. The route runs mainly on historical war ridges along the front lines of the first world war. It was opened a hundred years after the war ended with the help of an EU – Project as a via ferrata peace trail. This INTERREG project was born from the idea that the Dolomites should not be a barrier but a place of meeting and friendship. INTERREG is a funding budget of the EU. With this support, regions with similar framework conditions, separated by a state line, are given the opportunity to put connecting projects into effect. The Dolomiti senza confini project was launched with great idealism by many volunteers including the three official partners - the Sesto Tourist Information, the Austrian Alpine Club, and the Province of Belluno. In the course of the renovation, more than one hundred thousand euros were invested in the maintenance of existing via ferratas. Some of the aging paths could thus be adapted to modern safety standards. This made it possible to combine twelve via ferratas into one round trip, thus creating a tour under the sign of friendship and tolerance. Finally, the Dolomiti senza confini, probably the longest via ferrata trail in the world, was inaugurated with a festival in early June 2018. It takes you from one refuge (hut) to another in nine demanding daily stages using via ferratas in mainly high alpine regions. You only need to cross the road once at the Kreuzbergpass, otherwise you always pass through the breathtaking scenery of the Sexten Dolomites and the Karnischer Kamm. The cultural diversity can be experienced in various refuges and mountain villages of the provinces of Belluno, South Tyrol and East Tyrol, which have been brought closer together by the Dolomiti senza confini. When mountaineers from different countries and cultures follow the historic via ferratas of the Dolomiti senza confini side by side in friendship, it becomes clear that the borders in the Dolomites only exist on maps. The creative and driving force behind this longtime project was Bepi Monti, host of the Carduccihütte. No one could provide better information about the Dolomiti senza confini than he.