Val Gardena [Dolomites]: Full Guide & Best Things To Do [2026]

Val Gardena – one of the most beautiful regions in the Dolomites, and in my opinion, the best place to base yourself to explore the highlights of the Italian Alps.

I spent 10 days in Val Gardena in the summer hiking around and doing everything this spot offers, and I fell in love with it so much that I’ve moved to the Dolomites. Now, I get to come regularly every summer for hiking and napping in the mountains, and skiing in the winter. It’s truly a gem, and I’d love for you to have a great time when visiting.

So, this guide will help you plan your stay in Val Gardena, including the best things to do, where to stay, and all the logistics, so you won’t miss anything.

Have Fun!

👉 LET ME GUIDE YOU IN THE DOLOMITES: Are you visiting the Dolomites and would like me to accompany you? Hire me as your personal guide – I can take you to the most beautiful mountain excursions, places and mountain huts, e-biking in Alpe di Siusi, without you having to hustle and figure out the logistics. Contact me: [email protected] Or book this 1-on-1 travel chat (consultation) with me and I’ll help you plan.

What Is Val Gardena

Val Gardena, also known as Gröden – the German name, is one of the 12 regions in the Dolomites, often considered the most beautiful thanks to its cute towns with colorful houses, woodcarving, spectacular mountain views thanks to the Odle Peaks, a lot of culture and tradition, and accessible walks and hikes.

It’s located in the western part of the Dolomites, and the closest main city is Bolzano.

The 3 main towns that are part of Val Gardena are: Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena.

Val Gardena Italy: Map & Altitude

Val Gardena sits at an altitude between 1236 m and 2518 m (4055 – 8260 ft.).

Here is the map of the area:

How To Get To Val Gardena

The best way to get to Val Gardena is from Bolzano, the biggest city in the area. You can take a train from nearby international airports (Munich or Milan) to Bolzano. From there, take bus 350, which will take you directly to Val Gardena (Ortisei, Santa Cristina, or Selva).

Alternatively, you can also rent a car in Bolzano or at the airport and drive there via Bolzano. That will be especially amazing if you want to make a road trip through the Dolomites and some of the mountain passes.

If you’re on the east side of the Dolomites (Cortina d’Ampezzo) or arriving from Venice, you can drive from Cortina through several mountain passes to reach Val Gardena.

The best drive would be via Passo Falzarego – Corvara – and then either via Arraba, Passo Pordoi, and Passo Sella (longer route but more scenic) or a short route via Passo Gardena.

How To Get Around Val Gardena

The best way to get around is by car or local buses. If you have a car, perfect, it will give you a lot of flexibility.

However, if you don’t have a car, it’s very easy to get around using public buses. The entire network is called ‘Sudtirol Mobilitat‘. The buses will really get you anywhere. I loved taking them.

A great advantage is that if you’re staying in a hotel in Val Gardena, you can use the guest card they’ll give you as a transportation ticket. It includes all the bus rides, not only within Val Gardena, but also the entire South Tyrol region, which is huge.

So, you can even make a day trip to Merano, let’s say. Amazing!

Where To Stay In Val Gardena: Best Hotels & Apartments

There are 3 main towns where you can stay in Val Gardena: Ortisei, Santa Cristina, or Selva di Val Gardena. My favorite ones to stay are either Ortisei or Selva, as they’re the closest to the mountain excursions and the best things to do.

However, if you’re looking for more quietness and remote places to be in nature, away from the crowds, I highly recommend staying in Alpe di Siusi or Passo Sella.

Passo Sella has one of my favorite hotels in the area – Passo Sella Mountain Resort. I stayed here for 2 nights, and I’m still dreaming about it. It’s so remote, I got to watch the stars and run around at night, enjoy the views of Sassolungo from my balcony, and the food was super delicious. I highly recommend it.

Here are all the hotels I recommend in Val Gardena for your stay:

📍 Hotel Ronce (Ortisei)
📍 Hotel Garni Walter (Ortisei)
📍 Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti (Ortisei)
📍 Hotel Touring Dolomites (Selva)
📍 Boutique Hotel Nives (Selva)
📍 Monte Pana Dolomites Hotel (close to Santa Cristina)
📍 ICARO Hotel (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Hotel Paradiso Pure.Living (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Tirler – Dolomites Living Hotel (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Passo Sella Mountain Resort (Passo Sella – close to Selva)

Val Gardena In Summer: Best Things To Do In Val Gardena

Here are the things I highly recommend doing and exploring in Val Gardena during your stay:

🔅 Explore Local Towns & Immerse Into The Culture
🔅 Visit Seceda
🔅 Go E-Biking In Alpe Di Siusi
🔅 Enjoy A Picnic & Mountain Nap
🔅 Make Day Hikes
🔅 Go Paragliding
🔅 Sleep In A Local Rifugio
🔅 Go Hut-To-Hut Hiking
🔅 Enjoy A Wellness Retreat
🔅 Drive Through The Mountain Passes
🔅 Indulge In Local Cuisine

🔅 Explore Local Towns & Immerse Into The Culture

Just being in the area automatically brings me so much joy.

Explore the 3 main towns: Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva. Each of them is so different. Ortisei is the most beautiful thanks to its cute, colorful houses. And I also love Selva as it feels like a very authentic mountain village with wooden houses + the views of the Sella Group mountains from there are surreal.

Locals still speak an ancient language called ‘Ladin’ (besides Italian and German, which are the other 2 official languages). You might see them dressed up in traditional costumes (dirndl) and playing music with their orchestra on the main streets.

Check out the Val Gardena website to see if they organize any local events.

🔅 Visit Seceda

Seceda is perhaps the most famous excursion everyone does from Ortisei, and there is a reason for it. I thought it would be overrated – but let me tell you, it’s not. It’s 100% worth it, despite the crowds.

Go early in the morning, take the 2 cable cars, and hike the Seceda Ridgeline. The views from the viewing point are breathtaking. Then, soak it all up at one of the mountain huts and enjoy some local treats like Apple Strudel with vanilla sauce or Kaiserschmarrn. I suggest Baita Sofia for the food.

🔅 Go E-Biking In Alpe Di Siusi

Alpe di Siusi is the highest alpine plateau in Europe, spreading above Val Gardena, on the other side of Seceda. And, it must be my favorite place to be and one of the best things to do in the Dolomites.

I’ve visited multiple times and keep returning. There is just something magical about these green pastures full of cows, listening to the stillness of the place and cow bell sounds…

Take a cable car from Ortisei to Mont Seuc and from there, follow the panorama trail towards the ICARO Hotel. Or, rent an e-bike in Ortisei and bike around the area – it’s the most efficient way to explore it all in a day.

🔅 Enjoy A Picnic & Mountain Nap

What better way to be really present and soak up the atmosphere than sitting on the grass and enjoying local Italian goods?

Buy some prosciutto with cheese, grapes, and fresh grapes in a supermarket, take the cable car to Alpe di Siusi, sit on the grass, and let yourself be carried away by the views.

I regularly come here to sit, reflect on life, and just be for a moment. It’s very therapeutic.

🏃‍♂️ I’m organizing reflection hikes in the Dolomites (a lot of them in Alpe di Siusi) on request. So, if you’re around and would like me to organize such a reflection hike for you (during which, I’ll give you prompts to think about and we can have deep conversations + I’ll help you find answers to your questions), contact me at [email protected].

I’ll be happy to inspire you and help you find your true self, if you’re feeling lost in life! 🙂

🔅 Make Day Hikes

One of the best things to do in the Dolomites is, obviously, hiking. When I came to Val Gardena for the first time in the summer of 2024, I spent 8 days just hiking around, doing different hikes in the area.

Each day, I spent 8 hours hiking and reflecting on my life – and it has brought me so much joy.

These are the best hikes in Val Gardena that I recommend you enjoy:

🏞 Seceda Ridgeline
🏞 Compatsch – Schlernhaus – Rifugio Alpe di Tires – Compatsch (Alpe di Siusi)
🏞 Saltria – Rifugio Sasso Piatto – Pass Duron – Rifugio Molignon – Compatsch (Alpe Di Siusi)
🏞 Mont Seuc – ICARO Hotel – Malga Sanon – Mont Seuc
🏞 Vallunga Valley (from Selva)
🏞 Sassolungo Circuit: Passo Sella – Rifugio Toni Demetz – Rifugio Vicenza – Rifugio Comini – Passo Sella
🏞 Sassolungo Circuit: Passo Sella – Rifugio Toni Demetz – Rifugio Vicenza – Rifugio Sasso Piatto – Rifugio Friedrich August – Passo Sella
🏞 Passo Gardena – Jimi Hut – Furcela de Ciampei – Rifugio Puez – Rifugio Firenze

🔅 Go Paragliding

This is the best place to go paragliding in the Dolomites, honestly. So don’t skip it – even if you’re slightly afraid of heights. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of some of the most majestic Dolomites’ peaks.

You can do so from Seceda. Meet the crew at the bottom station of the cable car to Furnes, and let yourself be carried away by the wind! Absolutely amazing!

🔅 Sleep In A Local Rifugio

With hiking comes sleeping in a traditional mountain hut; these are called rifugio. Book a night at one of them, and have an authentic experience in the Dolomites.

The rate includes breakfast and dinner (3-course meal, what a luxury), and if you’re lucky, you’ll be amazed by the stunning pink sky during sunsets and amazing sunrise.

Here are the rifugios I recommend staying in:

📍 Resciesa Hut
📍 Rifugio Fermeda
📍 Schlernhaus
📍 Rifugio Alpe di Tires
📍 Rifugio Sasso Piatto

🔅 Go Hut-To-Hut Hiking

If you’re more into serious hiking, make a hut-to-hut hike for multiple days. I’ve created a full self-guided itinerary that you can follow and enjoy a hut-to-hut hiking experience through Val Gardena and the surrounding regions.

So, if you like to experience it, which I highly recommend, follow one of my hiking itineraries below (click on the images) and immerse yourself in this unique hiking experience.

🔅 Enjoy A Wellness Retreat

Another great way to enjoy the area and relax is to stay in a wellness hotel. Maybe they even organize a retreat with yoga and nature walks. The best place to do so is in Alpe di Siusi, which is the most quiet and has the best hotels for it.

Imagine staying in a hotel with those stunning mountain views, treating yourself to some local fresh food, and relaxing in a swimming pool.

Here are the best wellness hotels in the area I suggest:

📍 ICARO Hotel (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Hotel Paradiso Pure.Living (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Tirler – Dolomites Living Hotel (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Hotel Touring Dolomites (Selva)
📍 Monte Pana Dolomites Hotel (close to Santa Cristina)

🔅 Drive Through The Mountain Passes

Something that can’t be missing on your itinerary are the wonderful mountain passes. Maybe you’re like me and a bit terrified of driving through these tiny and windy mountain roads… and maybe you’re the complete opposite and seek the thrill of it.

Either way, there is nothing quite like driving through them and seeing the scenery. I love it!

So, I suggest renting a car and driving through. Make a circle and drive from Selva di Val Gardena to Passo Gardena, pass through Corvara and Arraba, keep driving through Passo Pordoi, and get to Passo Sella.

Have lunch in Passo Sella and enjoy the spectacular views of Sassolungo peaks. Then drive back to Selva. It’s one of the best road trips in the Dolomites. And you can also do it on local buses.

🔅 Indulge In Local Cuisine

I mean… we’re in Italy – so you can expect the food to be exceptional. The local cuisine is a combination of Italian and Austrian, as this region (called South Tyrol) used to be part of Austria back in the day.

Try local specialities such as: Dumplings with butter (speck, cheese, spinach, beetroot), spinach gnocchi with cream and speck, ribs, Kaiserschmarrn, Apple Strudel with vanilla sauce, pizza, and delicious pasta.

Val Gardena In Winter: Best Things To Do & Val Gardena Ski Resort

Here are the things you can enjoy doing in Val Gardena throughout winter:

🏂 Go Skiing
🏂 Ski The Sellaronda Circuit
🏂 Go Cross-Country Skiing
🏂 Enjoy Winter Hikes
🏂 Stay In A Cosy Wellness Hotel

🏂 Go Skiing

Val Gardena is one of the best places to go skiing in the Dolomites. Mainly because it’s part of the Sellaronda circuit, which is a panoramic ski loop around the Sella Group mountains. It’s so much fun – definitely my favorite place to ski in the Dolomites.

The ski resorts across Val Gardena are not interconnected, but it’s easy to get around. The main ones are in Seceda (an epic slope between the top and Fermeda, great for intermediate and advanced skiers), Alpe di Siusi (great for beginners), and Selva (Ciampioni and Dartencerpies – amazing intermediate/advanced slopes).

The whole area, especially around Selva, is full of amazing views, rifugios, and apres ski.

🏂 Ski The Sellaronda Circuit

If you want to ski the Sellaronda Circuit, start in Selva (La Bula) – take the chairlift and then ski down to the Dantercepies cable car.

Then follow the orange circuit (it has better slopes and is a bit more challenging) via Passo Gardena to Corvara, Arraba, through Passo Pordoi, and Val di Fassa, until you reach Passo Sella.

🏂 Go Cross-Country Skiing

If you’re into cross-country skiing like me, get to Alpe di Siusi – it has one of the largest areas of loops.

It’s so vast, and just imagine cross-country skiing around with those breathtaking views of Sassolungo mountain.

After, get cosy and sip hot chocolate or coffee with local specialities in one of the mountain huts (I suggest Malga Sanon).

🏂 Enjoy Winter Hikes

If you’re not into skiing, go walking and enjoy some winter hikes. The best area to do so is the Alpe di Siusi.

You can walk to some of the mountain huts and enjoy local delicacies. Or just take cable cars from Selva for the epic views.

🏂 Stay In A Cosy Wellness Hotel

What a nice way to end your adventure in a hot whirlpool overlooking the Dolomites. Stay in one of the epic hotels in Val Gardena and let yourself be treated.

These are the hotels I recommend:

📍 ICARO Hotel (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Hotel Paradiso Pure.Living (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Tirler – Dolomites Living Hotel (Alpe di Siusi)
📍 Hotel Touring Dolomites (Selva)
📍 Monte Pana Dolomites Hotel (close to Santa Cristina)

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions about Val Gardena and the Dolomites. So, check my answers below:

What Is Val Gardena Famous For?

Val Gardena is famous for cute, colorful towns like Ortisei, local culture and traditions, and amazing mountain excursions to Alpe di Siusi and Seceda. The scenery is spectacular, and it offers a great place to relax in luxury wellness hotels.

It’s also one of the best ski resorts in the Dolomites.

Is Val Gardena Good For Beginners?

Yes, Val Gardena is great for beginners, whether it comes to hiking or skiing. You’ll find a bit of everything, and it’s the perfect place to get into both activities.

Which Airport Is Closest To Val Gardena?

Munich and Milan are the closest airports to Val Gardena. There is also an airport in Bolzano, which would be the closest, but it does not have many flights.

Do I Need A Car In Val Gardena?

No, you don’t need a car in Val Gardena. It’s great to have one as it will give you a lot of flexibility. However, you can easily explore it on local buses that will take you everywhere. Besides, your hotel will give you a guest card that you can use for all the local buses and trains.

What Language Is Spoken In Val Gardena?

Ladin (official ancient language), Italian, and German – these are the 3 official languages of Val Gardena.

Is South Tyrol The Richest Part Of Italy?

Yes, it’s one of the richest areas of Italy, together with other northern parts of Italy like Lake Garda and Lombardy (Milan).

Can I Survive With English In Italy?

Yes, you can survive with only English in Italy, 100%. The more you go to remote areas, the less locals speak English.

So, if you’re in small villages, you might have some difficulties (but Google Translate will do). Yet, in major cities like Florence, Rome, and Milan, everyone speaks English.

WRAP-UP: Val Gardena Dolomites

This is my ultimate guide for Val Gardena in the Dolomites for you, based on my experience and pure love for these places. There is nothing quite like Val Gardena, and I’m sure you’ll fall in love as soon as you step feet into this region.

Let me know if you have any questions, and write me an email at [email protected]. I’ll also be happy to help you plan your stay in the Dolomites (or elsewhere) by creating a customized travel itinerary for you. Or book this 1-on-1 travel chat with me (consultation). if you like to help with planning in real time.

Happy Travels!

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