Ghiacciaio dei Forni, Alpine glacier in Valtellina, Italy
Ghiacciaio dei Forni is a large ice field nestled in the Ortles-Cevedale mountain chain within Stelvio National Park, stretching across several kilometers. Its white expanse is framed by rock walls and peaks that define the surrounding valley.
This ice field formed thousands of years ago through the accumulation of snow in this mountain region and was once Italy's largest glacier. In recent generations it has undergone significant changes and continues to shrink.
The glacier draws mountaineers and nature lovers who come to witness the raw power of high-altitude ice. People visit to stand before this frozen landscape and feel connected to the mountains.
Access to the glacier is from the Valfurva area, where parking and trails lead hikers upward into the mountains. Sturdy footwear and warm clothing are essential, as weather changes quickly at altitude and the terrain becomes steep.
The glacier split into two separate sections due to melting and ice loss, giving scientists a visible way to observe the effects of climate change on this landscape. This division is a physical record of how the mountain has transformed over time.
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