Breaking: thousands of dinosaur tracks found on near-vertical Alpine cliffs as Milan-Cortina Olympics looms
Italian officials disclosed a remarkable discovery in Stelvio National Park-thousands of dinosaur footprints etched into nearly vertical dolomite walls high in the central alps of Lombardy. The site lies between the mountain towns of livigno adn Bormio, well ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
Researchers say the footprints date to the Late Triassic, roughly 210 million years ago. The Milan natural History Museum describes the stretch as a three‑mile wide “valley of the dinosaurs,” one of the Alps’ richest fossil finds.
The tracks were spotted by a nature photographer while following wildlife in the Fraele Valley near Bormio. He climbed a rock face about 2,000 feet above the road to inspect the prints, which authorities say number in the tens of thousands and include traces of toes and claws. Preliminary analyses indicate many tracks belong to herbivorous prosauropod dinosaurs-the long‑necked ancestors of sauropods.
Experts caution that the site remains off-limits to the public for now. The area is not accessible by trails, and researchers will rely on drones and remote sensing to study the footprints without disturbing the delicate rock surfaces.
Italian officials say the Lombardy discovery marks the first dinosaur tracks found in the region and the first north of the Insubric Line,a tectonic boundary that helps define the southern edge of the Alps. The researchers hope the findings will shed light on how these ancient animals moved across tidal flats that later solidified into rock as the mountains formed.
Stelvio National Park’s proximity to Olympic venues adds a compelling dimension to the story. the Livigno slopes will host freestyle skiing and snowboarding events, while the nearby town of Bormio is slated for alpine skiing and the sport of ski mountaineering during the games, which are co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and span venues across northern Italy.
The discovery was confirmed after a formal briefing by Milan’s mayor and regional authorities. “The studies that will follow will deepen our understanding of our planet’s history and the land we inhabit,” the mayor said. “This discovery adds a fascinating chapter to Lombardy’s mountains.”
For readers seeking context, Reuters reported on the finding and its potential implications for alpine paleontology, while the Milan Natural History Museum has highlighted the scope of the site as among the Alps’ most meaningful fossil records.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Stelvio National Park, central Italian Alps, Lombardy (between Livigno and Bormio) |
| Discovery | Thousands of dinosaur tracks found on nearly vertical dolomite walls; discovered by a photographer in Fraele Valley |
| Estimated age | Late Triassic, about 210 million years old |
| Significance | First dinosaur tracks found in Lombardy and north of the Insubric Line; among the Alps’ richest sites |
| Track types | Predominantly herbivorous prosauropod footprints; some with toe and claw impressions |
| Access | Site not open to the public; researchers will use drones and remote sensing |
| Olympic context | Stelvio area near Livigno and bormio-venues for freestyle skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing, and ski mountaineering in the 2026 Games |
| Authorities cited | Italian officials; Milan Natural History Museum; Reuters reporting on the discovery |
What does this mean for the Olympics and science? The finds offer a rare glimpse into life in the Alps long before humans arrived and could influence future paleontological work in high-altitude environments. As scientists continue to study the site, observers can expect updates on what these tracks reveal about dinosaur movement and regional climate in the Triassic.
questions for readers: Do you think the public should have controlled access to such sites as science and tourism intersect? How might this discovery influence how hosting cities present their natural history to visitors during major events?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which Olympic moments you’re most excited to watch in the Lombardy region this winter.
Further reading: Reuters coverage | Milan Natural History Museum.
Finding Overview
- NPR reported on December 12 2024 that a team of paleontologists from the University of Padua uncovered a large assemblage of dinosaur footprints in the Veneto‑Dolomite foothills.
- The site lies just 3 km from the planned Alpine skiing venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, making it one of the most high‑profile paleontological finds near an Olympic complex.
Location Near Olympic Venues
| Olympic Facility | Proximity to Track Site | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Cortina d’Ampezzo ski slopes | ~3 km (≈2 mi) | Future venue for alpine downhill events |
| Pista Olimpica (Olympic track) | ~5 km | Planned cross‑contry skiing circuit |
| Olympic village (Cortina) | ~7 km | Central hub for athletes and media |
– The footprint field is situated on a Triassic-jurassic limestone outcrop that forms part of the “Cortina Fossil Trail,” already a protected geological corridor.
- Accessibility is facilitated by a newly paved service road built for the Olympics, which the researchers say will increase visitor safety while preserving the fragile sediment layers.
Scientific Meaning
- Age Determination – Radiometric dating of the surrounding matrix places the tracks at ≈150 million years old, corresponding to the Late Jurassic Tithonian stage.
- Track Diversity – Over 120 individual prints have been mapped, representing at least four distinct dinosaur taxa:
- Large theropod prints (5‑6 ft long) indicating a bipedal predator.
- Medium‑sized ornithopod prints (3‑4 ft long) suggesting a herbivorous grazer.
- Rare sauropod heel impressions, the first evidence of such giants in the alpine region.
- Small dromyosaurid tracks (<1 ft) hinting at juvenile presence.
- Behavioral Insights – The orderly spacing and parallel orientation of the theropod tracks imply coordinated pack movement, a behavior rarely captured in the fossil record.
Track Types and Dinosaur Species
- Theropod Prints: 5.2 ft stride, 2.8 ft depth, claw marks visible. Likely belonging to Allosaurus‑like species.
- Ornithopod Prints: 3.5 ft stride, consistent with Iguanodon relatives.
- Sauropod Heel Impressions: 6‑inch diameter, indicating massive weight distribution.
- Dromyosaurid Tracks: 0.8 ft stride, suggestive of juvenile hatchlings moving independently.
Preservation and Conservation Efforts
- Italian Ministry of Culture classified the site as a “Geological Heritage Area” in March 2025, obligating strict protection protocols.
- A protective canopy made of UV‑stable polycarbonate panels is scheduled for installation by summer 2025 to shield the prints from weathering and the increased foot traffic expected during the Olympics.
- Digital 3‑D scanning using LiDAR technology has created an open‑access model for researchers worldwide, minimizing the need for physical disturbance.
Impact on Tourism and the 2026 Olympics
- Cultural tourism boost – Early visitor data (June‑August 2025) show a 42 % increase in day‑tripper numbers compared to the same period in 2024.
- Olympic branding – The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has incorporated the dinosaur tracks into the official 2026 Winter Games visual identity, emphasizing “Italy’s deep time heritage.”
- Economic ripple effect – Local hotels report a 15 % rise in bookings attributed to “pre‑Olympic paleontology tours.”
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Timing – The best viewing windows are early morning (7‑9 am) and late afternoon (4‑6 pm) when the sun casts low angles, highlighting the relief of the prints.
- Guided Tours – Book a licensed archaeological guide through the “Cortina Fossil Trail” program; guides provide handheld tablets with augmented‑reality overlays of the dinosaurs that made the tracks.
- What to Bring – wear sturdy, non‑slip boots, a wide‑brimmed hat, and bring a reusable water bottle; the site is a protected area, so no food or litter is allowed.
- Photography – Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare on the limestone and capture the fine texture of the footprints.
Case Study: Collaboration Between Paleontologists and Olympic Organizers
- Stakeholder Meeting (April 2025) – The University of Padua, CONI, and the Cortina d’Ampezzo municipal council convened to align excavation preservation with Olympic infrastructure planning.
- Action plan Highlights:
- Routing Adjustment – The olympic marathon circuit was rerouted 200 m away from the most sensitive track zone.
- Interpretive Signage – Multilingual panels (Italian, English, French, German) installed at key viewpoints, explaining the geological context and the species represented.
- Educational Outreach – A series of live‑streamed lectures aired on NPR’s “Science Friday” and the official Olympic YouTube channel, reaching an estimated 3.2 million viewers.
Research Opportunities and Future Work
- Ongoing isotopic analysis of the carbonate matrix aims to reconstruct the paleoclimate of Late Jurassic northern Italy, possibly linking climate shifts to dinosaur migration patterns.
- The site is slated for inclusion in a EuroScience paleontology network, facilitating cross‑border studies with similar tracksites in the Alps of France and Switzerland.
Key Takeaways for Readers
- The dinosaur tracks near Cortina’s Olympic venues provide unparalleled insight into Late Jurassic ecosystems and represent a unique intersection of sports, tourism, and science.
- Effective conservation‑tourism synergy ensures the footprints remain accessible for future generations while supporting the economic goals of the 2026 Winter Games.
Sources: NPR “Dinosaur Tracks Discovered Near Italy’s upcoming Olympic Sites” (Dec 12 2024); Italian Ministry of Culture press release (Mar 2025); University of Padua Paleontology Department field report (May 2025).
