On the Trail of the Cave Bear

The previously unknown cave is located at around 2,800 m altitude. The bones found inside were initially thought to be bear bones from the more recent past. However, scientific investigations soon showed that it was a real sensation, as the bones turned out to be much older. In fact, they are around 50,000 years old and belong to a high alpine cave bear, the Ursus ladinicus. This herbivore, which was much larger than today's brown bears, was widespread in Europe during the Ice Age. The discovery in the Conturines cave is unique in the Dolomites and also the highest located bear cave of all.

Naturally, the ancient Ladin legend of the rise and fall of the Fanes people comes to mind when thinking of the Conturines cave. According to the legend, the Fanes retreated into the depths of the mountains after a lost war, and the entrance to the Fanes kingdom is located at Lake Braies. The legend also tells of the Fanes building a castle at the foot of the Conturines peak for their first king. It is possible that the cave was known to the people of ancient times, and it was later forgotten...

However, the fact that this cave and its hidden treasure remained undiscovered for so long is due to the seclusion of this part of the Dolomites. It has largely remained untouched by mass tourism, and since the creation of the nature park in 1980, this unique natural landscape has been under special protection. Therefore, a hike to the bear cave is also a journey of discovery into the heart of the Dolomites.

From St. Kassian, you first drive to the Capanna alpina, a restaurant at Plan dal’ Ega. The steep ascent leads to Côl de Locia, where the unmarked path to the cave begins, which requires effort and alpine experience. After about 3 hours, you reach the entrance to the bear cave located on the east side of the Conturines peak. The approximately 5m high and 10m wide portal is blocked, and the interior of the cave can only be visited as part of guided tours.

An alternative route, the Dolomites long-distance hiking trail No. 1, leads from the Pederü hut near St. Vigil, via Limopass, Fanesalm and Tadega-Joch. This route may be more comfortable and possibly even more scenic, but it also takes significantly longer at 6 hours. Therefore, an overnight stay at one of the mountain huts along the way should definitely be planned.

In St. Kassian, there is the Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus, which was opened in 2001 and is entirely dedicated to the prehistoric cave bear. In the summer, the museum, together with the Office for Nature Parks, organizes a guided hike to the Conturines cave once a week. After the hike, there is also a tour of the Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus, providing insight into the world of the cave bear, its life, and its peculiarities. The geology of the Dolomites and the history of the Ice Ages are also covered.