Water is a precious resource – especially at altitude, where the effects of climate change are more visible and water supplies increasingly limited. That’s why in the high mountains every drop matters – and you can make a difference too. How?

Avoid wasting water when washing clothes or boots; be prepared for limited washing facilities in mountain huts; accept what’s on the menu, as it’s often based on the available water supply; Limit your use of crockery (for example, use the same glass for a second drink). These tips have been put together by AKU and the Alpine Guides of San Martino di Castrozza as part of the Gocce di Montagna (Mountain Drops) project, which raises awareness among hikers about responsible water use in mountain huts and at high altitude. 

Our forests and mountains are delicate ecosystems, and even small, simple actions help protect them. Choose a refillable bottle instead of disposable plastic and always carry a bag in your rucksack to take your litter home rather than leaving it on the path. Not everyone is as considerate as you: if, while walking, you come across plastic, paper tissues or cans left by others, you can pick them up and drop them into the dedicated Xchange Boxes – collection points created by the “EcoLogica della Montagna” team. There are six boxes in total, all made of wood by a local artisan and fitted with a window in recycled plexiglass so everyone (even the absent-minded!) can see just how much rubbish gets left behind in nature. The material collected is properly sorted, and thanks to your contribution the waste left along the trails is given new life.

Wood isn’t just a source of energy and warmth for us – it’s also a true source of inspiration. In Mezzano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, woodpiles have been transformed into original art installations, turning the village into an open-air gallery. Siror, meanwhile, features a themed trail dedicated to the legends of Primiero, depicted on large wooden panels. In Imèr, two local artists have breathed new life into the blackened wood of old agricultural huts (known in dialect as barchi) by creating Stre(e)t Barch – an imaginative Alpine twist on street art. And in the hamlet of “Peze” you’ll find “Immèrgiti”, a new sensory trail: a land-art project consisting of seven installations made from wood and natural materials that invite both adults and children to feel, breathe, touch, taste and look at the forest and the Dolomite landscape with fresh eyes. Intrigued? All our villages are linked by cycle and foot paths. Download the GPX track for the Green Way Primiero Family loop and explore them all by e-bike!

Through the Trentino Tree Agreement project, you can make a pact with the trees and help restore the forests devastated by the terrible Vaia storm, which on 29 October 2018 uprooted and snapped more than 4 million cubic metres of trees, leaving deep scars on our landscape. With a donation you’ll support the growth of one or more trees planted in one of the three areas covered by the project: the Foresta dei Violini of Paneveggio, the Foresta dell’Eremo in San Martino di Castrozza, and the Foresta Nascosta of Cadino. Want to play your part? Visit the official website and find out how to become a Friend, Supporter, Ambassador or Guardian of the pact with the forest of the future.