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Val Gardena

South Tyrol
1,236m
9,000

About Val Gardena

Val Gardena is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Dolomites, comprising three distinct villages: Ortisei (St. Ulrich), Santa Cristina, and Selva (Wolkenstein). This valley is the heart of Ladin culture, where the ancient Rhaeto-Romance language is still spoken alongside German and Italian. Famous for its woodcarving traditions and as a gateway to some of the most spectacular hiking in the Dolomites, Val Gardena offers the perfect blend of cultural heritage and outdoor adventure. The valley provides easy access to the Sella Ronda circuit, Seceda Ridge, and the Puez-Odle Nature Park.

Highlights

Three picturesque villages with unique characters
Living Ladin culture and language
World-renowned woodcarving traditions
Direct access to Seceda Ridge
Gateway to Sella Ronda hiking circuit
Puez-Odle Nature Park entrance

Nearby Trails

Seceda Ridge Walk

Moderate
Cable car access

Alpe di Siusi

Easy
30 min by cable car

Sella Ronda Circuit

Moderate
Cable car access

Puez-Odle Nature Park

Moderate
Cable car + 30 min

Quick Facts

Languages:Ladin, German, Italian
Best Time:June-September for hiking, December-March for skiing
Currency:Euro (€)

Transportation

Train Connections:

  • Bolzano (1h by bus)
  • Bressanone (45 min by bus)
  • Innsbruck (2.5h by bus)

Local Transport:

Excellent cable car network, local buses between villages

Where to Stay

Luxury

Mid-Range

Budget

Where to Eat

€€€€

Gourmet Ladin cuisine

€€€

Traditional South Tyrolean

€€

Pizza & casual dining

€€

Mountain hut cuisine

Cultural Attractions

Museum Gherdeina (Ladin culture)
Woodcarving workshops in Ortisei
Church of Santa Cristina
Fischburg Castle ruins
Traditional Ladin farmhouses

Ready to Explore Val Gardena?

Discover the trails accessible from this beautiful base camp