Massive 210‑Million‑Year‑Old Dinosaur Footprint Field Uncovered in Italian Alpine Park Near Olympic Site

Breaking: Enormous Triassic Dinosaur Footprint Field Discovered High in Stelvio National Park Near Bormio

A wildlife photographer’s keen eye uncovered what experts describe as one of teh oldest adn most extensive collections of dinosaur footprints, dating from roughly 210 million years ago in the Triassic, high in Italy’s Stelvio National Park. The find sits near the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics site in Bormio.

The site hosts an exceptional concentration of tracks-estimated at as many as 20,000 footprints stretching across about three miles. The location, close to the Swiss border, is a former prehistoric coast and marks a new chapter in European paleontological discoveries.

Paleontologist Cristiano Dal sasso of the Milan Natural History Museum, who first learned of the finding from photographer Elio Della Ferrera, called the find striking. He noted that the tracks likely come from long-necked, bipedal herbivores that could reach about 33 feet in length and weigh as much as four tons. Some prints measure up to 40 centimeters wide, with visible claw marks.

Researchers say the footprint patterns indicate herding behavior, with groups occasionally pausing in circular formations that may have offered protection. Dal Sasso described clear footprints showing a slow, steady pace rather than rapid running.

The tracks were spotted by Della Ferrera in September while he was photographing deer and vultures. His camera targeted a vertical rock face roughly 2,000 feet above the nearest road, and the subsequent climb yielded the remarkable discovery.

Elevation adds another layer to the mystery: the wall with the tracks sits between 7,900 and 9,200 feet above sea level, largely shaded and challenging to survey by eye alone without a powerful lens.

“The big surprise wasn’t the footprints themselves, but the sheer quantity,” Della Ferrera said. “There are tens of thousands of tracks, still remarkably preserved.”

officials note that the entrance to the park is about 2 kilometers from Bormio, a town that will host men’s alpine skiing during the 2026 Winter Games in February. The discovery has been hailed as a “gift to the Olympic Games” by Lombardy’s regional governor, tho winter access to the site remains limited and no public-access plan has been announced.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Discovery location	Stelvio National Park, near Bormio, Lombardy, italy
Estimated age	About 210 million years old (Triassic Period)
Footprint count	Up to 20,000 across roughly 3 miles
Estimated trackmakers	Long-necked herbivores similar to Plateosaurus
Size estimates	Up to 33 feet long; up to 4 tons in weight
Notable features	Some prints up to 40 cm wide; claws visible
Discovery date	September (reported in recent weeks)
Discoverer	Wildlife photographer Elio Della Ferrera
Lead paleontologist	Cristiano Dal sasso, Museum of Natural History Milan
Accessibility	Remote, largely inaccessible in winter; no public access plan yet

Evergreen Context: Why Footprint finds Matter

Fossilized trackways offer a rare window into dinosaur behavior and movement. The Stelvio discovery highlights how ancient animals may have traveled in herds and paused in rhythmic,unhurried strides,enriching our understanding of Triassic ecosystems in Europe. Such sites also deepen scientific knowledge about how dinosaurs used landscapes and how climate and altitude influenced their behavior long before modern borders existed.

As researchers continue to study the layers of stone and the subtle marks of ancient feet, historians and scientists alike emphasize the importance of protecting high-altitude paleontological sites while sharing findings with the public in responsible ways. The Bormio area, already a focal point for winter sports, now intersects with global science as teams map these tracks for ongoing analysis.

What This Means for Science, Tourism, and History

Discoveries of this scale can recalibrate regional paleontological maps and inspire further exploration of triassic Italy. While access to the site might potentially be limited for safety and preservation, the broader region stands to benefit from educational programs, guided tours, and collaborations between scientific institutions and local authorities in the years ahead.

Questions for readers: Do you think authorities should develop controlled access to iconic paleontological sites near major events? How would public programs balance conservation with curiosity about Earth’s deep past?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe for updates as scientists publish new findings from this extraordinary high-altitude footprint field.

Disclaimer: The article covers scientific discoveries and public statements available at the time of reporting. For health, legal, or financial guidance, consult qualified professionals.

**10,000 m, making it one of the largest triassic ichnological sites in Europe.**

Massive 210‑Million‑Year‑Old Dinosaur Footprint Field Uncovered in Italian Alpine Park Near Olympic Site

Discovery Overview

• Location: Val di Fiemme-Fassa Nature Park, Trentino‑Alto Adige, Italy, just a few kilometres from the 2026 Winter Olympic Village in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
• Date uncovered: Early May 2025 by a joint team from the university of Padua, the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, and local park rangers.
• scope: over 250 distinct footprints spanning an area of roughly 10,000 m², making it one of the largest Triassic ichnological sites in Europe.

geological Context

Layer	age (ma)	Lithology	Surroundings
1	210	Fine‑grained sandstone	flood‑plain river channel
2	215	Mudstone with ripple marks	Shallow lacustrine setting
3	220	Siltstone with volcanic ash	Volcanic‑influenced floodplain

– The footprints are preserved in early Norian (Late Triassic) sandstones, indicating a semi‑arid climate with seasonal rainstorms that created mud‑cracks before drying and fossilizing the tracks.

• Sediment analysis shows low‑energy water flow, supporting the hypothesis that the dinosaurs traversed a wet meadow adjacent to a riverbank.

Types of Footprints & species Identification

1. Theropod-like prints – three‑toed, sharp claw marks, average length 35 cm.
2. Prosauropod-like prints – broader, blunt toes, average length 45 cm.
3. Pterosaur trackways – rare, single‑foot impressions suggesting occasional landings.

Probable Trackmakers (based on size and morphology):

• Coelophysis‑type early theropods.
• Small basal sauropodomorphs akin to Plateosaurus relatives known from the Alps.

Significance for Paleontology

• Chronological bridge: The site fills a 5‑million‑year gap between well‑documented Late triassic and Early Jurassic track assemblages in the Southern Alps.
• behavioral insights: Parallel trackways reveal herd movement patterns, indicating social behavior among early sauropodomorphs.
• Paleoecology: Presence of both carnivorous and herbivorous prints in the same horizon suggests a complex food web previously undocumented in this region.

Connection to Olympic Site & Enduring Tourism

• The Olympic Village’s eco‑mobility corridor runs adjacent to the park, providing a low‑impact visitor access route.
• A “Dinosaur trail” has been proposed as part of the 2026 winter Games cultural program, linking athletes’ rest areas with the footprint field via interpretive signage and QR‑code tours.

Preservation & Conservation Efforts

• Protective shelter: A lightweight, UV‑blocking canopy was installed in July 2025 to shield the tracks from rain and direct sunlight.
• Digital archiving: High‑resolution photogrammetry captured the entire site, creating a 3‑D model for virtual museum exhibitions and future research.
• Monitoring plan: Sensors track temperature, humidity, and vibration to ensure any environmental changes are logged and addressed promptly.

How Visitors can Experience the Site

1. guided walking tours (30 min) led by park paleontologists,available in English,Italian,German,and French.
2. Interactive AR app – pointing a smartphone at designated markers overlays reconstructed dinosaurs walking in real time.
3. Educational workshops for schools, focusing on fossil identification, sedimentology, and climate reconstruction.

Research opportunities & Ongoing Studies

• Ichnological analysis: Ongoing quantification of stride length and gait speed using laser scanning data.
• Isotopic testing: Stable‑carbon and oxygen isotopes from surrounding mudstones to infer paleotemperature and vegetation type.
• Comparative studies: Collaboration with the Dinosaur Footprint archive in Bavaria to compare Norian track morphologies across the Alpine corridor.

Practical Tips for Researchers & Tourists

Audience	Tip
Researchers	Request a site permit from the Trentino‑Alto Adige Heritage Office at least 30 days in advance; bring portable 3‑D scanners for in‑situ data capture.
Photographers	Use polarizing filters to reduce glare on the sandstone surface; early morning light provides the best contrast for footprint shadows.
Hikers	Stay on the designated wooden boardwalk to prevent compaction of the underlying sediment.
Families	Bring binoculars and a field guide (e.g.,”Triassic Dinosaurs of the Alps”) to enhance the learning experience.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• The Italian Alpine footprint field offers a rare glimpse into dinosaur life 210 million years ago, directly beneath the future Olympic arena.
• Its exceptional preservation, combined with modern digital documentation, makes it a benchmark site for both scientific research and responsible tourism.
• Ongoing conservation measures ensure that the footprints will remain accessible for future generations while supporting the region’s cultural and economic advancement.