Established in 1967, it stretches over nearly 20,000 ha (49,000 acres) in the Dolomites (in the territory of seven municipalities, all in the Province of Trento), encompassing the Pale di San Martino massif, the Paneveggio forest, and the easternmost part of the Lagorai range, between the valleys of Fiemme, Fassa, Primiero, and Vanoi.

[2][3][4][5] At lower elevations, the flora includes manna ashes, sessile oaks, Italian oaks, and chestnuts, whereas between 1,500–19,000 m (4,900–62,300 ft) above sea level the most widespread tree (85 %) is the Norway spruce, which forms the Paneveggio forest (over 2,700 ha (6,700 acres)), famous for the use of its wood in the production of violins.

At higher elevations, between 1,900–2,200 m (6,200–7,200 ft), larches and Swiss pines are more prevalent, while silver firs are more widespread near the Val di Fiemme.

[2][3][4][5] The park has three visitor centres, in Paneveggio, San Martino di Castrozza and Val Canali (Villa Welsperg), and over twenty mountain huts and mountain shelters, linked by a network of hiking paths.

[2][3][4][5] Media related to Parco naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino at Wikimedia Commons