Val Gardena

The holiday resort at the heart of the Dolomites

Val Gardena is a 25 km long tributary valley of Val d’Isarco and locates north-west of the majestic summits of the Dolomites. It stretches from Ponte Gardena to the Sella Mountain Range and the saddles of Passo Sella and Gardena. The river winding throughout this beautiful valley is the Rio Gardena.

The valley includes the three municipalities of Ortisei, S. Cristina and Selva Valgardena, the hamlets Roncadizza, Oltretorrente and Bulla - part of the municipality Castelrotto - as well as San Giacomo and Pontives.

Boasting a unique flora and fauna, Val Gardena is one of the most beautiful and varied holiday resorts in all of Italy. It has a lot to offer in every season: In winter, countless ski slopes and cross country ski runs as well as numerous ski lifts and gondolas are waiting for you. And summer promises a special kind of experience to hikers and lovers of nature alike. Embark on adventurous trekking tours and take advantage of a rich number of opportunities such as hiking, climbing, canyoning, mountain biking, cycling as well as paragliding, fishing and much more!

Val Gardena is a place, where breath-taking adventures combine with centuries-old traditions and a rich history. The valley actually boasts three official languages: Ladin (an old Rhaetian language), German and Italian. To preserve and maintain the traditional customs and cultural patrimony is of utmost importance to the inhabitants of Val Gardena.

Gourmets can look forward to both an exquisite South Tyrolean and Italian cuisine. This combination offers the best for every taste. The most important branch of local industry is tourism. Also the Val Gardena wood-carving industry, however, boasts a worldwide reputation. And the most popular sport is - surprise, surprise - ice hockey.

Val Gardena is also home to a few well-known personalities such as Luis Trenker (actor and director), Giorgio Moroder (composer and Oscar prize winner), Isolde Kostner (skier), Peter Runggaldier (skier) or Carolina Kostner (figure skater).