Brenta Group

Along the east side of the Ortles and Adamella-Presanella groups runs the Valli Giudicarie (the middle valley of the Sarca and upper valley of the Chiesa or Chiem), one of the most striking fault lines in the Alps. To the east of this line the land has sunk 2,000m/6,660ft in places, so that here, in contrast to the crystalline Central Alps, the substance of the Etschbuchtgebirge which belongs to the Southern Alps and owes its name to its geological situation rather than to its geographical setting, is made up of Triassic and Jurassic dolomites and limestones. The best-known range is the dolomitic Brenta group (Cima Tosa, 3,173m/10,471ft), which in spite of its geographical separation from the main Dolomites east of the Adige ranks equal with them in the magnificence of its mountain scenery.