They rise up proudly - majestically even - against the sky, tickling passing clouds with their pointed peaks and giving way to lush green slopes and meadows at their feet which form a strong contrast to their unique, pale colour. Just twice a day, at sunrise and sunset, do they discard their pallor and warm the whole valley with their red glow.

Of course, we are talking about the world-famous and unique mountain group of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site that sets the heart of every hiker racing. They owe their name to the researcher Déodat de Dolomieu, who undertook the first analysis of the rock strata of these mountain giants. The most famous peaks are definitely the Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks), but there are lots of other craggy rock formations that are bound to take viewers' breath away.

Not all Dolomites are the same. This wonder of nature is made up of nine large and smaller mountain groups, stretches across the provinces of Belluno, Pordenone, Udine, Bozen and Trent and connects the three languages of Italian, Ladin / Friulian and German. It's hard to believe that, over 200 million years ago, the sea washed over this gigantic area and slowly but surely shaped the land and that the majority of the most striking mountain groups are actually huge petrified reefs attracting nature lovers with their magnetic force.

It's not just hikers who can wear out their boots; families can explore the varied mountain fauna with their offspring, sports fans can clamber up the steep 'via ferrate', or fixed-rope routes, and history lovers can follow the traces of the Dolomite front of the First World War.

Any thinking that the Dolomites can only be explored in the summer months is very much mistaken! During the cold season, after a heavy snowfall, the 'pale mountains' turn into a real winter wonderland! Cross-country skiing, snow shoe walking, ski touring, sledging or ice-skating become the order of the day.

Those wishing to enjoy the views at their own pace would be advised to try snow shoe walking. A romantic walk in the realm of the 'Schlern witches' with views of Schlern, Rosszähne, Plattkofel, Langkofel, Sellastock will lead you into a world of legends and myths, best told by your private accommodation hosts over a drop of red.

Gripped by tales of King Laurin and his Rose Garden, viewers may gape open-mouthed at the king's heritage at sunset, when the pale mountains glow red and write his name in the sky. The Schlern witches cause gusts of wind as they fly through the valley to gather on the Schlern and brew up terrible storms, or are they trying to bring the Langkofel giant back to life?

Anyone daring to travel into these enchanted mountains may be sure of Princess Dolasilla's protection. There is even a select group of countrymen to open their doors to intrepid wanderers.