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Holidays in the Dolomites Region Val Gardena

The heart of this Ladin valley beats for sports and wood carving

Admittedly, you can't surf here. From a sporting point of view, however, just about anything your heart desires is possible, no matter the time of year, in Val Gardena in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. The workshops of wood sculptors and wood carvers, who have a long tradition here and are still in the majority, are also open all year round.

Here are some things you should not miss

Spend an entire day biking over Dolomite passes. Immerse yourself in the valley’s natural and cultural history. Hike to picturesque excursion destinations. Climb, hike and traverse the Langkofel massif.

 

An outdoor paradise in the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites & the cradle of wood carving art

Find your accommodation

How about a charming room at a farm? A wellness hotel with unique cuisine? Or perhaps a large suite for families with children? Or how about an overnight stay in a mountain hut?

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Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site

Where today the "Pale Mountains" tower over everything else, fish, corals and shells once lived. Did you know that 270 million years ago, the Dolomites were formed in a tropical sea from reefs and atolls?

Panoramic view over the Dolomites during the sunset
Panoramic view over the Langkofelgruppe during a sunny sommer day
A man hikes in the Puez-Geisler Nature Park

Places in the Dolomites Region Val Gardena

Although they are located in the same valley, inhabited by the same people and surrounded by impressive mountains, each is unique in its own right. Discover it for yourself!

What can I see and do in the Dolomites Region Val Gardena?

Val Gardena is probably the most internationally renowned area in the Dolomites. Ski stars have been winding down the Saslong World Cup Slope since 1970. Meanwhile, mountaineers and climbing pioneers from all over the world have been coming to the valley for even longer. From the villages at the foot of the Sella, Langkofel and Plattkofel mountains, modern cable cars will transport you up to the Dolomite massifs to explore them on foot, by mountain bike, on a climbing rope or with skis. Everywhere you look, views of the mountains here are stunning. They are exceptionally beautiful at the Mastlé viewpoint on UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.

Walking through the villages, you’ll note the special language being spoken by locals: Ladin. Preserving their own culture is dear to the people of Val Gardena. For centuries, wood carving and wood sculpture have played major roles here. In the"Valley of the Wood Carvers," there are still numerous artists who you can observe in their studios. In the Museum Gherdëina, become immersed in the culture and history of this Ladin Dolomite valley.

With the weekly programme "Val Gardena Active", accompanied by local guides, experience the pristine nature of the landscape in the UNESCO World Heritage Site and get to know the Ladin culture.

Sellaronda MTB Tour

The Sellaronda MTB tour is a fascinating mountain biking tour around the Sella Group in the Dolomites. Many mountain bikers rate the route, which leads over single trails and forest paths, as one of the most beautiful MTB tours in the world.

Sellaronda Bike Tour

Experience the Dolomites Region Val Gardena from its sporty side

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Produced in the Dolomites Region Val Gardena

Would you like a slice of mild goat cheese? Or a hand-carved artist’s doll? Or a larger-than-life wooden sculpture? Find a wide range of local, high-quality foods and handcrafted articles for daily use in the Dolomites Region Val Gardena, as in the rest of South Tyrol. Lots of producers sell straight from the farm where you can sample the treats and get to know the producers. The people of Val Gardena have been interested in wood carving and wood sculpture since the 16th century. This was not only in order to make something out of wood, a plentiful natural material, but also to safeguard the economic existence of the valley. For centuries already, products from the valley have been sold throughout Europe and even America.

There has been a long tradition of making things yourself in South Tyrol. High quality and durability are the primary factors, which are achieved through the use of proprietary manufacturing techniques and high-quality raw materials. This allows us to create products that are only available here.

Handicraft with tradition

Christian Trebinger was Val Gardena’s first carver. His sons and many others followed in his footsteps. This had an enormous role in shaping the valley economically and culturally.

Dolomites Region Val Gardena
Dolomites Region Val Gardena

Shopping as an experience

Fresh from the farm or carved from the best wood. You can purchase products with a clear conscience from our farmers or artisans - an enriching experience in itself.

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The Ladin cuisine

There is one sure thing: in the Ladin valleys, you'll never stay on an empty stomach. In the kitchens of Gröden/Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Kronplatz, there's always a pot on the stove and mouth-watering smells that remind you of your grandmothers. A traditional dish called "Panicia" is a barley soup with vegetables and meat served with slight variants across South Tyrol. But the Ladin cuisine offers far more delicacies: the local dumplings "Bales" , potato dumplings "Gnoch" and fritters filled with spinach and ricotta cheese "Turtres". You can also try a popular dish known as "Grestl", roasted potatoes and veal cut into pieces or "Fortaies", spiral fried pancakes. Besides tasting delicious, the "Jufa", a kind of milk pudding that is traditionally eaten in a pot and with a spoon, is likewise an authentic experience.

Where can you eat well in Val Gardena?

From rustic farmhouse parlours to cosy pizzerias and excellent award-winning restaurants: find out what makes Ladin food so compelling. Traditional down-to-earthness, innovative lightness, the best raw materials.

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The most scenic lookout points

For a phenomenal view into the distance, we have selected the most rewarding destinations: From a panoramic platform to a famous postcard motif or historic buildings that can only be reached on foot.

Which events will take place in the Dolomites Region Val Gardena?

Not surprisingly, sport and the arts are at the very centre of events in the valley. Will you be present at the FIS Ski World Cup on the legendary Saslong slope? Or at the UNIKA art fair featuring works by artists from the valley?

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All the top events in South Tyrol

The most scenic webcams in the region

Already look over the rooftops of the city or counting the peaks around it. These webcams will provide you with a live connection to selected places in South Tyrol. This way you can get a close-up overview of the region, weather or snow conditions from the comfort of your own home.

St. Ulrich/Ortisei

Col Raiser

Col Raiser

Monte Pana

Raschötz/Resciesa

St. Christina/S. Cristina

St. Ulrich/Ortisei

St. Ulrich/Ortisei

Sustainability in Val Gardena

Are you keen to do your part for the environment and keep your carbon footprint as low as possible, even on holiday? We recommend travelling to our region by public transport. The bus and train will transport you here directly, with no detours.
Whether you use the cable cars to ascend from the valley to the mountain or take the train or bus to explore the area, your local transport is guaranteed.

If you are travelling to South Tyrol without a car, you can rest assured that you will be transported in comfort direct to your destination by bus, train or cable car. All timetables are carefully coordinated so that there is always a connection from the train stations in the province to the surrounding towns and villages. Simply hop on board and enjoy the journey through the mountains, villages and idyllic countryside.

You can take the train to Bolzano/Bozen, Klausen/Chiusa and Brixen/Bressanone. From there, buses or transfer services will take you to your accommodation in the Ladin villages.

Reach the dolomite passes sustainably

The Grödnerjoch pass and Sellajoch pass are both popular destinations and starting points for experiencing this worldwide unique dolomitic landscape. Ideally without a car: explore the passes in a gentle way and thus enjoy the Dolomites sustainably on foot, by bike, by cable car or public transport.

Leave your car or motorcycle at home or at your accommodation and discover alternative solutions to sustainably reach the dolomite passes.

Grödnerjoch pass

The Grödnerjoch pass (2.121 m a.s.l., “Jëuf de Frea” in Ladin) lies between the Sella massif and the Pizes de Cir/Gruppo del Cir mountain range. The pass connects the Gherdëina/Val Gardena valley with the Val Badia valley.

Sellajoch pass

The Sellajoch pass (2,218 m a.s.l., “Jëuf de Sela” in Ladin) lies between the renowned Langkofel/Sassolungo massif and the majestic Sella massif. The mountain pass connects the Ladin Gherdëina/Val Gardena valley with the Val di Fassa valley in Trentino.

Ideas for the whole year

Are you in the mood for a spring hike to a mysterious lake? How about a climbing tour in the mountains? Or are you keen to see the “pale mountains” glowing in pink? What about a panoramic ski circuit around the Sella massif?

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Burning Dolomites

Autumn is the best season to experience a fascinating natural phenomenon: the unique glow of the Dolomites, which are best experienced during a sunset hike.

Typical pink-red glow of the dolomites during the sunset. Langkofelgruppe in Val Gardena

5 tips for poor weather

While rare, it does rain or snow from time to time here. There are plenty of options for enjoying a wet day. Inside and out.

Weather in South Tyrol

Weather in the mountains