Dolorock Climbing Festival

The Dolomite climbing festival

The Dolorock Climbing Festival is one of Europe's most significant sport climbing events, held in the municipality of Dobbiaco/Toblach, in the Alta Pusteria region of the autonomous province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige. The heart of the event is the Val di Landro (Höhlensteintal), the valley connecting Dobbiaco to Misurina, dominated by the spires of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and overlooking the picturesque Lake Landro (Dürrensee). Here, amidst Dolomite rock faces and coniferous forests, hundreds of climbers from across Europe meet every year for three days of sport, nature, and camaraderie.

Origins and the Gamatzn Association

The first edition of Dolorock dates back to 2013. The event was founded by the Gamatzn Climbing Club, the association that maintains and promotes the local crags. The name "Gamatzn" comes from the local dialect term for the chamois, the iconic animal of the Sesto Dolomites. For over a decade, the association has organized the festival with the goal of showcasing and protecting the valley's climbing sectors, promoting a respectful relationship with the mountains and the natural environment.

The competition: the Redpointfight

The sporting format that defines Dolorock is the Redpointfight: participants have one day to climb as many routes as possible across the ten climbing sectors set up around Lake Landro. Each completed route is awarded points based on difficulty, and the final ranking is determined by each climber's five most challenging ascents. Alongside the overall ranking, there is also an average category ("Mittelwert") that rewards consistency. The crags offer routes for every skill level, while balance enthusiasts can test their skills on the highlines and slacklines stretched between the trees.

More than just sport: music and festivities

Dolorock is also a major celebration. The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the Basecamp Jam near the Dobbiaco train station: live music, jam sessions, climbing trials, and slacklining in an informal atmosphere. On Saturday, after the competition, the awards ceremony takes place, followed by the Climbers' Party with bands and DJs, while the Climbers' Brunch on Sunday morning concludes the event in a friendly spirit.

Values and environment

At the core of the festival's philosophy are diversity, tolerance, and critical discussion regarding climbing and mountaineering. The event encourages experiencing the mountains with awareness, respecting a fragile and precious territory like the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. The Val di Landro is not just a playground for climbers, but an ecosystem to be protected, and Dolorock has become its ambassador.