A 36-year-old American tourist has died after falling about 1,000 feet from a steep cliff while hiking with her family in Italy’s Dolomite mountains.

Michelle Alejandra Rubio-Leiva, from Miami, Florida, was visiting the Forcella Pordoi area with family members when the fatal accident occurred on Saturday, according to police in northern Italy’s Trentino region.

CNN reported that Rubio-Leiva and her sister had left the hiking trail to reach an exposed section of an upper cliff to take a photograph when she reportedly slipped and plunged into the canyon below.

Her sister alerted emergency services, prompting the deployment of a helicopter and specialists from the Trentino Alpine and Cave Rescue Services.

Rescuers eventually recovered Rubio-Leiva’s body after an operation that lasted several hours. Her family members were airlifted to Canazei.

Police announced her death later in the week after her next of kin had been notified.

The Forcella Pordoi hiking area, located in the Sella group of the Dolomites, rises to about 2,848 metres above sea level and is accessible by cable car.

The area is known for its dramatic mountain views but also presents serious hazards, including steep slopes, loose gravel and falling rocks.

Italy’s Alpine Rescue unit told CNN that more than 80 people had died in the Dolomites in 2026 as of the time of its report.

Rubio-Leiva’s death highlights the dangers hikers can face when leaving designated trails to reach exposed locations, particularly in mountainous terrain where a single slip can have fatal consequences.