Guide To Val Gardena: Top Hikes, Via Ferratas & Photography Spots

Colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, sports equipment stores mixed with souvenir shops and cafés, above them all panoramic mountain views of the Puez Odle, Sassolungo, and Sella Groups. The famous Val Gardena may seem like a tourist trap. After all, it is one of the most visited regions in the Dolomites. However, its charming towns with access to many fantastic hiking trails, via ferrata routes, and photography spots make this valley, in my eyes, one of the best destinations to visit in the Dolomites.

About Val Gardena

Val Gardena is located in the South Tyrol region of Northern Italy. The valley lies parallel to two other famous Dolomiti valleys: Val Di Fassa and Val Di Funes. An ancient language Ladin is still spoken and taught in local schools in Val Gardena, but as a tourist, you can easily converse in English or German around here.

Distances from the nearest airports to Val Gardena:

• Venice Marco Polo: 256 km / 3 h 15 min
• Venice Treviso: 225 km / 3 h 10 min
• Verona Villafranca: 185 km / 2 h 15 min
• Milan Malpensa: 354 km / 4 h 10 min
• Milan Bergamo: 270 km / 3 h 15 min
• Innsbruck (AT): 112 km / 1 h 45 min
• Munich (DE): 306 km / 3 h 45 mim

TIP: If you need a car for your visit to Val Gardena, you can rent one through Discover Cars.

Getting to Val Gardena by public transport

When travelling during the summer (June-September), it’s easy to reach the towns in Val Gardena by public transport. First, you can catch a train to Bolzano (Bozen), the nearest biggest city, then a local bus to either Ortisei, Santa Cristina, or Selva in Val Gardena.

TIP: I always use the local Sued Tirol Mobil website to check the timetable and find bus stops.

Best towns to visit in Gardena Valley

Val Gardena is dotted with little villages. Where one ends, another begins, so they are all very close to one another. No matter which one you pick for your base, you are guaranteed to have great access to outdoor activities year-round.

1. Ortisei

Ortisei (St. Ulrich in German or Urtijëi in Ladin) lies right in the heart of Val Gardena. The town’s characteristics are colourful buildings with wood-carved ornaments. For centuries, wood carving has been an important local source of income.

Thanks to its two-tier cable car, Ortisei offers the quickest way to reach the famous viewpoint of the Seceda Ridgeline. On the other side of the village, the St-Ulrich – Seiser Alm gondola takes visitors to the highest mountain pasture in Europe – Alpi Di Siusi.

TIP: Check accommodation prices in Ortisei

2. Santa Cristina Di Val Gardena

Santa Cristina is framed between the Odle Group to the North and the Sassolungo to the South. Its famous Col Raiser gondola is an excellent alternative for reaching the Seceda Ridgeline and the Puez Odle Altopiano, where many hiking trails start in the high alpine areas.

TIP: Check accommodation prices in Santa Cristina Di Val Gardena

3. Selva Di Val Gardena

Selva Di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein in German and Sëlva in Ladin) takes the spot for being the highest village in the Gardena Valley. It’s the closest town to Sella and Gardena Pass, where many hiking trails and via ferratas start. Selva has a more modern vibe than the previously mentioned towns, thanks to its many stylish hotels.

TIP: Check accommodation prices in Selva Di Val Gardena

How many days should you stay in Val Gardena?

There is no limit to the number of days you can spend here. You won’t be bored even if you decide to spend your whole holidays in Val Gardena. I recommend at least three days.

TIP: Consider investing in the Gardena Card, which gives you unlimited cable car access on 3 (or 6) consecutive days.

Best Hikes Near Val Gardena

1. Panorama Alpi Di Siusi

• Distance: 4.4 km / 2.7 mi
• Elevation gain: 112 m / 368 ft
• Hiking time: 1.5 – 2 h
• Colour on the map: pink

Alpi Di Siusi is known as Europe’s highest mountain pasture. This high alpine plateau lies 2000 meters above sea level. The unique views of Sassolungo and Sassopiatto peaks draw tourists to this place.

The gentle hills stretching across the plateau provide the perfect conditions for entry-level hikers not ready to combat hundreds of meters of elevation gain.

The Panorama Alpi Di Siusi hike starts at the top of the Ortisei-Alpe Di Siusi gondola and runs in a circuit. Over 4.4 kilometres, you will only gain 112 meters of elevation, which means a very gentle walk. Stop for lunch at Malga Contrin and enjoy the views of the entire plateau from its terrace.

2. Odle-Geisler Mountain Group Circuit

• Distance: 22 km / 13.7 mi
• Elevation gain: 1016 m / 3333 ft
• Elevation loss: 1743 m / 5718 ft
• Hiking time: 8-10 hours
• Colour on the map: red

Contrary to the Panorama Alpi Di Siusi, the Odle-Geisler Mountain Group circuit is for serious hikers who are accustomed to long hiking days with significant elevation gain and loss.

As the name suggests, the hike is a circuit that loops the famous Seceda Ridgeline. The trailhead starts on the top of the Two-Tier Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda gondola and ends at its mid-station.

You must take the first ride up and keep a good pace throughout the day to avoid missing the last gondola down. I go into more detail about this hike in my post dedicated to Seceda and Puez Odle Nature Park.

Read more: Guide To Seceda And Puez Odle Nature Park.

3. Puez Odle Altipiano Circuit

• Distance: 6.3 km / 3.9 mi
• Elevation gain: 136 m / 446 ft
• Elevation loss: 487 m / 1597 ft
• Hiking time: 2-3 h
• Colour on the map: black

Following the Puez Odle Altipiano Circuit is a great and very relaxed alternative to exploring the Puez Odle Nature Park.

Once again, the hike starts at the top of the Ortisei—Furnes—Seceda gondola, right near the Seceda viewpoint. It then follows a downhill trail, first to Malga Pieralongia (a high-alpine restaurant) and then to Rifugio Firenze.

From here, a mostly flat trail will take you to the top of the Col Raiser gondola. Here, you have three choices:

1. Take the Col Raiser gondola down to Santa Cristina, then catch a local bus to Ortisei (The stats above correspond with this option)
2. Hike back up to the Seceda viewpoint, then descend to Ortisei with the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda gondola you took in the morning.
3. Take the Fermeda chairlift, which runs between the two gondola stations mentioned above, and then the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda gondola down to Ortisei.

4. Seceda – Rifugio Puez – Vallunga

• Distance: 18.7 km / 11.6 mi
• Elevation gain: 774 m / 2540 ft
• Elevations loss: 1603 m / 5259 ft
• Hiking time: 7-8 h
• Colour on the map: blue

This is a quieter option for those who prefer to hike in Solitude. The hike, which once again starts at the top of the Ortisei-Furnes Seceda top station, follows the trail across the Puez Odle Altiplano to Forces de Sieles Saddle. From here, the hike overlaps with the famous Alta Via 2 multiday traverse.

Around halfway through the hike, you will reach Rifugio Puez – an excellent place for restoring calorie reserves and grabbing a drink. You can descend from the hut to the Gardena Valley via Vallunga. At the end of the hike, you must catch a local bus to whichever town you choose for your stay in the Gardena Valley.

5. Vallunga Valley Walk

• Distance: 9 km / 5.6 mi
• Elevation Gain: 230 m / 755 ft
• Hiking Time: 2-3 h
• Colour on the map: orange

The hike across Vallunga is more of a relaxed walk. However, regarding views, the trail can compete with many other high-alpine trails in the Dolomites. Rarely will you be rewarded with such fantastic vistas after putting so little effort into the hike.

Vallunga is one of my favourite autumn trails in the Dolomites. The larch trees fill the valley, adding beautiful, vibrant colours to the landscape.

Read More: Guide To Vallunga Valley Hike

6. Sella Group Traverse

• Distance: 10.6 km / 6.6 mi
• Elevation Gain: 940 m / 3065 ft
• Hiking Time: 4-5 h
• Colour on the map: purple

This is a unique hike in terms of views. The trail crosses through the middle of the Sella group known for its moonlike landscapes.

The trailhead for the Sella Group Traverse is Gardena Pass, and the hike ends at Pordoi Pass. Therefore, you will need to use public transport to return to your accommodation.

The first 30 minutes of the hike follow a gently undulating trail that then turns into a very sharp ascent through a scree valley called Val Setus. Cables are installed at the very top of the valley in the steepest section. Those who aren’t sure-footed will benefit from having via ferrata gear with them. A helmet is non-negotiable in this section as there is plenty of loose scree.

The first landmarks along the route are Rifugio Piscadiu and Lake Piscadiu, which lie next to each other. From Rifugio Piscadiu, you must follow the signs for Rifugio Boè. Once at the hut, it’s either a flat or sharp descent to Passo Pordoi. You can skip the last part and take the gondola from Sass Pordoi to the pass.

TIP: You can extend this hike by hiking to the summit of Piz Boè, the highest point of the Sella group.

7. Sassolungo Circuit

• Distance: 16.7 km / 10.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 787 m / 2720 ft
• Hiking Time: 5-6 h
• Colour on the map: dark blue

Circuit-type day hikes in the Dolomites are my favourites. The ever-changing mountain scenery and the undulating nature of these trails make them very appealing to me.

Sassolungo is the prominent peak that towers over Val Gardena and is visible from almost all the hikes I mentioned above. The Sassolungo circuit, though long and with quite a significant elevation gain, never feels too strenuous. The hike starts at the Sella Passo, which connects Val Gardena with Val Di Fassa.

Read More: Guide To Sassolungo Circuit Hike

Via Ferratas accessible from Val Gardena

1. Sass Rigais

• Difficulty level: beginner
• Time required: 6-8 hours

The Seceda Ridgeline is one of the most beloved photography spots in the Dolomites. What many don’t realize is that one of its summits – Sass Rigais is accessible thanks to a via ferrata route that was set up to its top.

The iron path can be reached either from the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda gondola station or the top of the Santa Cristina – Col Raiser gondola.

Read More: Guide To Via Ferrata Sass Rigais

2. Piz Duleda

• Difficulty level: beginner
• Time required: 5-6 hours

Another great beginner via ferrata route around Val Gardena takes you to the summit of Piz Duleda. The via ferrata section is very short and easy. Ladders have been installed in the steepest sections to help hikers gain elevation.

Piz Duleda is a mountain in the heart of Puez Odle Nature Park, offering amazing 360-degree views of the park.

3. Oskar Schuster

• Difficulty level: intermediate
• Time required: 6-8 hours

Via ferrata Oskar Schuster cuts through the heart of Sassolungo Mountain group and ends at one of its highest summits – Sassopiatto. Sharp spires of the group are characteristic features of this exciting via ferrata.

The route starts at Passo Sella with a ride in a unique standing gondola cabin that only accommodates two people.

Read More: Guide To Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster

4. Mesules (Pössnecker)

• Difficulty level: advanced
• Time required: 6-8 hours

If you are looking for a challenging via ferrata route around Val Gardena, consider tackling via ferrata Mesules (also known as Pössnecker). It is one of the oldest via ferratas in the Dolomites. If that makes you feel uneasy, put your worries behind you. The routes are constantly maintained, and the old rusty equipment is exchanged.

Via ferrata Mesules climbs along the western face of the Sella group through very steep gullies. The descent is long and tiresome, so prepare for an exciting but challenging day in the mountains.

Read More: Guide To Via Ferrata Mesules (Pössnecker)

5. Gran Cir

• Difficulty level: beginner
• Time required: 2-3 hours

Via ferrata Gran Cir delivers some of the best views of the Sella and Sassolungo. If you are a fan of photographing sunrises or sunsets from the top of the mountain, then Gran Cir is for you.

The route starts at Passo Gardena and has less than 500 meters of elevation gain, which means the summit can be reached in 60-90 minutes. The cable-protected section is very short, and the rest of the route is just a steep hike to the summit.

Many people hiking to the summit choose to forfeit bringing the ferrata gear, which I would not recommend. From my years of experience on via ferrata routes in the Dolomites, I noticed that most accidents happen on beginner routes precisely for that reason.

Read More: Guide To Via Ferrata Gran Cir

Best Photography Spots near Val Gardena

1. Seceda Ridgeline Viewpoint

Do I need to explain anything about this viewpoint? The Seceda Ridgeline is one of the iconic photography spots in the Dolomites and one of the easiest to get to. A gondola ride away from the town of Ortisei, and you will be standing in its presence.

What’s the trick of being there at sunrise, you may wonder? You can stay in one of the two nearby mountain huts (Rifugio Fermeda or Rifugio Firenze) and hike to the viewpoint before everyone else arrives.

2. Passo Gardena

Getting to Passo Gardena requires no effort. You can just drive up to it. As I mentioned in this post, Passo Gardena is a great access point for some hikes and via ferratas, but it is also a great photography spot in itself.

There is a large parking lot near Rifugio Frara right on the pass. From here, a short 5-minute walk will take you to a great viewpoint of Sassolungo pictured above.

3. Alpe Di Siusi

Another icon of the Dolomites. Alpe Di Siusi is a high mountain plateau that can be reached in three different ways:

1. Take the Siusi gondola from Compatsch and then hike.
2. By driving from Siusi to Compatsch and then hiking (this is only possible before 9 AM or after 5 PM for those who hold reservations for hotels located on the plateau)
3. By taking the gondola from Ortisei to Siusi

Logistically, the third option is the easiest and allows reaching the viewpoint the fastest, but being tight to a gondola schedule does mean limited time for visiting the plateau. The good news is that once a week during the summer, the gondola runs in the evening, allowing visitors to experience a sunset at the plateau.

4. Passo Sella

Just like Passo Gardena, Passo Sella can also be reached by car. There are many vantage points for capturing amazing photos at Passo Sella. To the west, you get great views of Sassolungo. To the southeast, you can admire Marmolada – Dolomite’s highest peak.

One of my favourite spots for taking photos at Passo Sella is from the top of the Col Rodella cable car. Here, you get a fantastic panoramic view of the Sella Group and the Sella Towers. It takes approximately 30 minutes to hike from Passo Sella to that spot.

5. Sassolungo Viewpoint

Last, my favourite photography spot in Val Gardena is the Col Raiser viewpoint, a 30-minute hike from Rifugio Firenze or a 20-minute hike from the Col Raiser hotel at the top of the Col Raiser gondola station. The gondola starts in the town of Santa Cristina.

You can probably guess why this is my favourite spot. When I arrived at sunrise, I was greeted by fantastic photography conditions. The low-hanging clouds and the mountains peaking above them created a fairytale atmosphere.

Hut-to-hut treks near Val Gardena

1. Alta Via 2

Alta Via 2 is a high alpine traverse that requires 10-14 days to complete. The trip starts in Bressanone and finishes almost 200 kilometres south in Croce D’Aune. The trail crosses, among other places, the Puez Odle Nature Park and Passo Gardena.

Read More: Guide to Alta Via 2 – Part 1 and Alta Via 2 – Part 2

2. Rosengarten Traverse

The Rosengarten Nature Park lies south of Val Gardena. Crossing the whole park on foot with a backpack on your back is possible. This amazing trail includes six exciting via ferratas and a famous Dolomiti landmark—the Vajolet towers.

Read More: Guide to Rosengarten Traverse In The Italian Dolomites

Other Regions of the Dolomites Worth Visiting

• Puster Valley (Val Pusteria)
• Fassa Valley (Val Di Fassa)
• Funes Valley (Val Di Funes)
• Primero Valley (Val Primero)
• Badia Valley (Val Badia / Alta Badia)
• Cortina D’Ampezzo & Central Dolomites
• Tre Cime Nature Park

More travel and hiking resources in the Dolomites

• Photography spots in the Italian Dolomites
• Regions in the Italian Dolomites
• Itineraries for the Italian Dolomites
• Via ferratas in the Italian Dolomites
• Day hikes in the Italian Dolomites
• Hut-to-hut treks in the Italian Dolomites