Rethinking Mountain Landscapes: Literary and Cultural Perspectives for Sustainable Upland Tourism

Mountains are often portrayed as uncontaminated spaces where to escape and reconnect with non‑anthropocentric nature. This chapter challenges that narrative, showing Alpine regions as socially and environmentally complex territories shaped by economic shifts, climate change, and infrastructure and tourism interventions. Using literary examples, contemporary narratives, and cultural initiatives in the Dolomites, such as artistic projects and community-driven platforms, the chapter advocates for more layered and accountable mountain storytelling. The research emphasizes both local residents and visitors, proposing alternative representations that move beyond the myth of untouched nature toward a more sustainable, socially engaged, and environmentally aware vision of Alpine tourism.