"Larieto" Area

It is a meadow at an elevation of about 1,300 meters, surrounded by mixed forests of spruce (Picea abies) and beech (Fagus sylvatica). The meadow is dominated by an old barn, which has now been renovated and transformed into a beautiful private mountain cabin, surrounded by several larch trees (Larix decidua): perhaps the once-predominant presence of this species gave rise to the area’s name. The larch, in fact, is a pioneer deciduous conifer: it is a species that typically grows above 1,800 meters in elevation but is capable of colonizing open or degraded areas even at lower elevations, thereby promoting the growth of Norway spruce over time. The presence of both larch and spruce in this area, along with the place names, therefore leads us to hypothesize that the meadow was once surrounded by a larch forest that was gradually replaced by spruce.

A comfortable bench, at the highest point of the meadow, offers a prime vantage point from which to observe the Spalti del Toro, the southernmost spur of a short mountain range, also known as the Dolomiti d’Oltre Piave, which includes the Cridola and Monfalconi Groups further north and separates the Centro Cadore Valley from the Friulian Dolomites Nature Park.

In the middle of the meadow, you’ll notice a small wooden trough that collects water from a small stream upstream. You’ll also be able to admire some beautiful blooms, such as the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale).