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.
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.
Val Gardena, located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, with majestic peaks such as the Sella Group and the Sassolungo, is committed to a sustainable future. Awarded with the Sustainability Label South Tyrol, the region promotes innovative mobility and environmental protection projects. By 2026, a mobility center for car-free and barrier-free connections will be created, local and arrival transport will be optimized, traffic on the Dolomite pass roads will be reduced, cycle paths will be expanded, public transport will be improved, and the number of charging stations for electric vehicles will be doubled. Special attention will be paid to the management of areas with high tourist traffic, such as Passo Gardena and Seceda.
The Dolomites Rangers also demonstrate how valuable and worthy of protection the Alpine landscape is. These four dedicated conservation rangers patrol the hiking trails in Val Gardena while engaging with hikers and bikers. With expert knowledge and open ears, they talk about how to behave properly in the mountains, thereby promoting respect and appreciation for the sensitive natural environment.
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. The villages of the region await you with family-run shops, where local artisans and producers offer unique creations and homemade products.
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.
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.
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.
Experience South Tyrol just the way you like it - with everything you need at your fingertips. With the Südtirol Guide App you can:
Download the app here for free and discover South Tyrol your way.
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.
Val Gardena lies in the south-east of South Tyrol, in the heart of the Dolomites. For a relaxed and environmentally friendly travel to Val Gardena, leave your car at home. Buses, trains and cable cars will take you to your accommodation or excursion destination.
If you are travelling by train, this ends in Waidbruck for the time being. You can continue by bus, taxi or with the "Südtirol Transfer" shuttle, which will take you directly to your holiday accommodation.
Once you arrive in Val Gardena, the Südtirol Guest Pass gives you free accessto public transport in South Tyrol. For an evironmentally friendly travel.
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