the dolomites are the most distinctive and beautiful mountains in italy.
they were formed of mineralized coral which was laid down beneath the sea during the triassic era, and uplifted when the european and africa continental plates dramatically collided 60 million years ago.
unlike the glacier-eroded saddles and ridges of the main body of the alps the pale rocks here have been carved by the corrosive effects of ice, sun and rain, sculpting the cliffs, spires and "organ pipes" that we can see today.
the eastern and western dolomites, separated by the town of bolzano, have slightly different characteristics; the eastern section is the more awe inspiring, especially the catinaccio (or rosenganten) range which is particularly beautiful, turning rose pink in the dawn sunlight.