Description
The environment/fauna
The forest, favoured by an ideal climate and the nature of the terrain, consists mainly of spruce (Picea abies Karst). Between 1350 and 1800 metres, the spruce forest produces good quality timber with assortments similar to those of the Paneveggio forest.
The fauna, which has been protected by a hunting ban since 1982, is particularly rich in species, including the ptarmigan, capercaillie and black grouse among the Galliformes, the goshawk, buzzard and golden eagle among the Accipitriformes, while mammals include the fox, ermine, marten and the Artiodactyls deer, roe deer and chamois.
History
Since the Middle Ages, in a natural environment of great beauty, the forest surrounding Castrozza was frequented and experienced by wayfarers and traders who had to cross the Rolle Pass to travel from the Primiero Valleys to the Fiemme Valley and South Tyrol. In the 12th century, a Benedictine hospice was erected to provide accommodation for those who passed through and travelled at high altitudes, then, in 1418, the hospice/monastery was replaced by a Priory dedicated to Saints Martin and Julian. From here evolved the traditional hospitality and welcome that over time led San Martino di Castrozza to become one of the most renowned and popular tourist resorts in the Dolomites. The forest has always played an important part in the cultural and social evolution of the village and the valley, and still today it plays a major role in both utilisation and recreational, tourist and educational aspects.
Up until the Great War, the San Martino Forest was owned by the Austro-Hungarian State Property Office, then with the annexation of Trentino to the Kingdom of Italy it passed to the State Forest Property Office, then to the Trentino Alto Adige Region and later, with a special provision in the Statute of Autonomy, to the Autonomous Province of Trento.
In the San Martino Forest informed
Access
Situated around the built-up area of San Martino di Castrozza, the Forest can be reached via the Strada 50 del Grappa e del Passo Rolle. Specific accesses to the various sections of the forest are provided by numerous forest roads that are closed or partially closed to public traffic.
For visits on foot, one can use the numerous itineraries that, served by the road or the ski lifts, lead directly into the woods and to the numerous malghe (shepherd's huts) at altitude. Among the most popular locations are Valcigolera, Val di Roda, Ces-Tognola, Cavallazza, Col verde and the area around Passo Rolle.
The management of the forest is entrusted to the Provincial Agency for State Forests, Technical and Management Sector of Cavalese (TN), which through the 'State Forestry Station of San Martino di Castrozza and Caoria' monitors and enhances the forest and the many activities that affect it.