The Dragon Forest

THE 10 RULES FOR HIKERS

1. Study and prepare your itinerary well
2. Choose a route suitable for your physical condition
3. Bring appropriate clothing and equipment
4. Check the weather forecast
5. Starting alone is risky, bring your cellphone
6. Leave information about your itinerary and estimated return time
7. If you are unsure, don't hesitate to rely on a professional
8. Pay attention to instructions and signage you find along the route
9. In case of fatigue or problems, do not hesitate to turn back
10. In case of emergency call 112

As you can imagine, the passability of routes in a mountain environment is strictly linked to current conditions and therefore depends on natural events, environmental changes, and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this sheet may have changed. Before leaving, check the status of the route by contacting the refuge manager along your route, alpine guides, visitor centers of natural parks, and tourist offices.

Our journey begins by cable car to reach the locality Gardonè where we are welcomed by a nest of intertwined branches from which colorful little dragons appear and disappear. Not far away, the signs indicate the direction to the Dragon Forest.

We stop at the Info Point (a small wooden house near the cable car) and choose a playbook to guide us along the path: a dirt road passing next to the refuge “Baita Gardonè” and heading towards the forest. The route is a kind of Land Art for little hikers, where the artworks follow one another and tell a story. Every turn hides a surprise: ghost moths, fire stones, dragon scratches, fragrant chests.

For much of the path we stay in the forest with long open sections and a view of the spectacular peaks of the Lagorai. About halfway, turning left, we come across a wonderful giant nest! Further on, we reach a wooden hut: it is the refuge where Nikolaus Drache, the top dragonology expert, keeps the findings of his research on dragon traces. The trail continues and closes the circle, returning to the starting point.

At the Info Point you can choose from 8 playbooks (cost €6.00 each, 2 for €10.00) with adventures and riddles that guide you in discovering the dynasty of Latemar dragons, for different age groups (preschool and school-age). The route is wonderful with or without a playbook, completely free. But walking with children, accompanied by a little book that tickles the imagination is enchanting! Each stop, on this Land Art route, has a precise meaning, while the story unfolds making the steps lighter.

At the end of the route, if you complete the playbook correctly, you will receive a nice gift as a souvenir of this adventure!

The walk is mostly in the shade of the forest, but we are in the mountains and during good weather a hat and sunscreen are necessary.

Passable with a country stroller. You can find water at the dragon-shaped fountain in Gardonè.