Val di Zoldo
Val di Zoldo is a mountain municipality at the heart of the Dolomiti Bellunesi, formed in 2016 from the merger of Forno di Zoldo a...
Updated 12 July 2026
The story
The story of Val di Zoldo
History and origins
The present-day municipality is a recent creation, born from the administrative union of Forno di Zoldo and Zoldo Alto, but the valley's history is ancient and tied to mountain trades: iron extraction and smelting at Forno, which takes its name from the old forges, and later seasonal emigration to the cities, which gave rise to the gelato-making tradition. The individual hamlets, from Dont to Fusine, from Mareson to Pecol, have kept their own identity and historic core, with churches and architecture typical of the Belluno valleys.
What to see
The Museum of Ice and Artisan Gelato in Pieve di Zoldo tells the story of the valley's gelato makers, a unique chapter in Italian craftsmanship. The hamlets offer churches and rural mountain settlements to explore at a relaxed pace, while Palafavera and Pecol are the gateways to the ski areas and walks towards Civetta. Also worth noting are the small ethnographic museums documenting the farming and mining traditions that shaped the valley.
Nature and surroundings
The territory sits at the heart of the Dolomiti Bellunesi, with Monte Civetta to the west and Pelmo to the east, both among the most photographed peaks of the Dolomites. Numerous trails connect the valley to mountain refuges, suitable for both experienced hikers and families, while in winter the Palafavera and Pecol ski areas offer alpine slopes and wide spaces for ski touring and snowshoeing. The valley is part of the broader Dolomiti Superski network.
Food, wine and local products
Zoldo cuisine is classic mountain fare: polenta, alpine dairy cheeses, cured meats and dishes built around mushrooms and game. But artisan gelato is the valley's true point of pride, the fruit of a tradition passed down within families for over a century. Local dairy products are also worth seeking out, along with forest berries gathered in the surrounding woods during summer.
Events and traditions
Throughout the year the valley hosts events dedicated to its gelato-making tradition and mountain culture, alongside the usual patron saint festivals in the different hamlets. Community life revolves largely around the seasonal calendar, with summer devoted to hiking and winter to snow sports.
How to get there and location
Val di Zoldo is located in the province of Belluno, reachable by car from the Piave valley via the road that climbs up from Longarone. It has no direct rail connection; the nearest station is Longarone-Zoldo, from where the journey continues by road. Its position at the foot of Civetta and Pelmo also makes it a gateway to other Dolomite valleys such as Agordino and Cadore.
Local life and economy
The valley's economy rests on mountain tourism, gelato craftsmanship and a long history of seasonal emigration, alongside small-scale farming and forestry. Many Zoldo families maintain ties to gelaterias they run in other Italian and European cities, a thread that connects the valley to the wider world while it remains an intimate, genuine mountain place.
Experiences not to miss
- Visitare il Museo del Ghiaccio e del Gelato Artigianale a Pieve di Zoldo
- Visit the Museum of Ice and Artisan Gelato in Pieve di Zoldo
To see
What to see in Val di Zoldo
Routes · Trovido Route
