© Angela Pierdonà
© Angela Pierdonà
© Angela Pierdonà
© Angela Pierdonà
In the heart of Cadore, along the road connecting Auronzo di Cadore and Misurina, lies the Somadida Forest, one of the most fascinating natural areas in the Belluno Dolomites and one of the most important forests in Cadore.
The forest covers approximately 1,676 hectares in the Palus San Marco area. Among Norway spruce, silver fir, larch and beech trees, trails and paths wind their way through the woods, allowing visitors to explore the forest on a relaxing walk or continue towards the surrounding mountains, waterfalls and mountain huts.
It is an ideal destination for anyone visiting Auronzo di Cadore and looking for a place immersed in nature, as well as for those who want to discover the history of the area and the centuries-old connection between Cadore and Venice.
Useful information
- Where: Palus San Marco, Auronzo di Cadore
- How to get there: from Auronzo, follow the SR48 towards Misurina
- Parking: access to the Reserve from the SR48
- Forest trails: green and red trails
- Approximate duration: about 1 hour for the green trail and about 2 hours for the red trail
- By bike: the Auronzo-Misurina cycle path crosses the forest
- Things to see: the “Raso” raft, the Forest Museum, the Forest Library and the butterfly conservation area
How to reach Somadida Forest
To reach the Somadida Nature Reserve from Auronzo di Cadore, follow the SR48 towards Misurina until you reach the Palus San Marco area. Shortly after passing the forest station, you will find signs on the left directing you to the Somadida Forest car park.
From here, you can begin your visit to the woods and choose between the two main walking trails, the green trail and the red trail.
The forest that supplied timber to Venice
The Somadida Forest has a history closely linked to the Republic of Venice. In 1493, the Magnifica Comunità Cadorina (the historic Cadore community) donated the forest to the Venetian Republic, which used its timber for centuries to build ships.
The longest logs were transported along the waterways to Venice, where they were also used to make the masts and yards of warships.
This ancient connection is commemorated by the large “Raso” raft, a replica built in 2019 of the raft used to transport the logs. Approximately 38 metres long and 5 metres wide, it can be seen inside the forest, next to the Forest Library.
The same area is also home to the Forest Museum and a space dedicated to the conservation of butterflies, offering visitors the chance to learn more about the nature, biodiversity and history of the Reserve.
The green and red trails in Somadida Forest
Two main trails start from the car park area and allow visitors to explore the forest on foot.
The green trail, which takes about one hour, is suitable for those looking for a relaxing walk surrounded by woodland. It is an ideal choice for spending a few hours in nature and discovering the Somadida environment without undertaking a particularly demanding hike.
The red trail, which takes about two hours, is a longer and more demanding hike, suitable for those who want to explore the forest at a leisurely pace and spend more time walking.
However, these two trails are only part of what Somadida has to offer. The network of paths also extends into the surrounding area, with routes leading to waterfalls, mountain huts and other places of interest.
For more experienced hikers, the forest can therefore be a starting point or a section of longer mountain routes, including trails towards the San Marco Mountain Hut.
The Auronzo-Misurina cycle path crosses the forest
The Auronzo-Misurina cycle path crosses the Somadida Forest and offers another enjoyable way to discover this part of Cadore.
The full route connects Lake Santa Caterina in Auronzo with Lake Misurina and is approximately 30 km long, with a total elevation gain of around 900 metres and an average duration of about 2.5 hours. Overall, the route is considered moderately challenging.
The section from Auronzo to Palus San Marco is the easiest: it is approximately 15 km long with an elevation gain of around 250 metres. From Palus San Marco towards Misurina, the climb becomes more demanding, with approximately 650 metres of elevation gain.
Cyclists can stop in the Somadida area for a walk through the forest, visit the “Raso” raft and the Forest Library, or continue towards Misurina to complete a longer cycling itinerary through the landscapes of the Dolomites.
A place where nature and history meet in Auronzo di Cadore
The Somadida Forest is a place where nature and history come together. You can visit it for a simple walk among the trees, choose one of the two main trails, cycle along the Auronzo-Misurina cycle path or set off on a more demanding hike towards waterfalls, mountain huts and peaks.
The presence of the “Raso” raft makes the visit particularly fascinating: it is a tangible reminder of the forest's past and of the long journey that, for centuries, carried Cadore's timber all the way to Venice.
For anyone staying in Auronzo di Cadore and looking for things to see in nature, away from the busiest tourist spots, Somadida Forest is a destination worth including in an itinerary exploring the Belluno Dolomites.
