Italy

Val Gardena

Base in Ortisei for 2–3 nights: Seceda one day, Alpe di Siusi another, Sella Pass on the drive out. We have mapped 2 sights, 2 activities and 2 outdoor spots here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Val Gardena with friends Browse 9 places

Places: 9
Curated routes: 1
Best season: Jun – Sep
Warmest month: July
Coolest month: January
Wettest month: August

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Val Gardena

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Val Gardena across Passo Sella and Ortisei.

Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please · CC BY-SA 3.0
See
Sella Pass
Hairpin pass between the Sella group and Sassolungo towers.
Tip Drive early to find parking at the top.
- Passo Sella
- Free
- 45 min
- Morning
Photo: Moroder · Public domain
See
Museum Gherdëina
Ortisei's museum of woodcarving, Ladin culture and local fossils.
Tip Good rainy-day option; small entry fee.
- Ortisei
- $
- 60 min
- Rainy day

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Val Gardena across Ortisei and Passo Sella.

Photo: Wolfgang Moroder · CC BY-SA 3.0
Do
Seceda
Cable car to a 2,500-m ridge with the jagged Odle peaks dropping away.
Tip Take the Ortisei–Furnes–Seceda lift early; hike down via Pieralongia.
- Ortisei
- $$$
- 4 hr
- Jun–Oct mornings
Photo: Ruslan Antoniuk · Google
Do
Sassolungo Circuit
Full-day loop around the Sassolungo massif past several huts.
Tip Start from Passo Sella; plan 5–7 hours.
- Passo Sella
- Free
- 6 hr
- Jul–Sep

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Val Gardena.

Photo: Radovan Karabec · Google
Outdoors
Alpe di Siusi
Europe's largest high meadow, with easy trails under the Sassolungo.
Tip Ride the Ortisei–Alpe di Siusi cable car; cars restricted by day.
- Alpe di Siusi
- $$
- 5 hr
- Jun–Jul for flowers
Photo: Margo Blank · Google
Outdoors
Vallunga
Flat, car-free valley walk from Selva into the Puez-Odle park.
Tip Easy for families; walk to the end and back in 3 hours.
- Selva
- Free
- 3 hr
- Afternoon

Eat

2 places to eat across Alpe di Siusi and Selva, picked for groups who care about the food.

Photo: Gostner Schwaige · Google
Eat
Gostner Schwaige
Small alpine hut on the Alpe di Siusi known for creative mountain cooking.
Tip Book lunch; try the hay soup.
- Alpe di Siusi
- $$
- 75 min
- Lunch
Photo: Rifugio Emilio Comici · Google
Eat
Rifugio Emilio Comici
Hut at the foot of Sassolungo known for fresh seafood at altitude.
Tip Open mid-Jun to early Oct and early Dec to early Apr (09:00-17:00). Closed between seasons.
- Selva
- $$$
- 1.5 hr
- Lunch

Drink

1 bar or café in Ortisei for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

Photo: Andrea Minghetti · Google
Drink
La Cërcia
Ortisei wine bar with a deep list and South Tyrolean snacks.
Tip Seasonal: winter (late Nov-Mar) and summer only, from 16:00. Book ahead.
- Ortisei
- $$
- 75 min
- Evening

How to fit Val Gardena into a trip

Val Gardena is stop 2 of 3 on our Dolomites High Road route. Follow it as-is or lift Val Gardena into your own plan.

Stop 2 of 3
Dolomites High Road
Jagged peaks, alpine lakes & rifugio lunches
Trip length
6 days
Best season
Jun – Sep
Pace
moderate
- Before: Bolzano
- Next: Cortina d'Ampezzo
See the full itinerary

Getting here and onward

Bolzano to Val GardenaBolzano is about 26 km / 16 mi away in a straight line
Val Gardena to Cortina d'AmpezzoCortina d'Ampezzo is about 36 km / 22 mi away in a straight line

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Val Gardena month by month

Average daily highs run from 0°C / 32°F in January to 22°C / 72°F in July. August is the wettest month, with about 140 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Val Gardena weather and the best time to visit →

Near Val Gardena

8 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.

Val Gardena questions, answered

How many days do you need in Val Gardena?

Our route notes suggest 2–3 nights in Val Gardena. On our Dolomites High Road route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 24 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Val Gardena best known for?

Base in Ortisei for 2–3 nights: Seceda one day, Alpe di Siusi another, Sella Pass on the drive out. Standouts on our list: Sella Pass (Hairpin pass between the Sella group and Sassolungo towers); Museum Gherdëina (Ortisei's museum of woodcarving, Ladin culture and local fossils); Alpe di Siusi (Europe's largest high meadow, with easy trails under the Sassolungo).

When is the best time to visit Val Gardena?

Our Dolomites High Road route is best Jun – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (22°C / 72°F), the coolest in January (0°C / 32°F) and the most rain in August (about 140 mm).

What are the best things to do in Val Gardena?

Start with Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Sassolungo Circuit, Sella Pass and Vallunga. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 2 sights, 2 activities, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Val Gardena?

Our picks: Gostner Schwaige (Alpe di Siusi); Rifugio Emilio Comici (Selva). Book lunch; try the hay soup (Gostner Schwaige).

What is near Val Gardena?

The closest destinations in our guides are Bolzano (about 26 km / 16 mi), Cortina d'Ampezzo (about 36 km / 22 mi) and Füssen (about 133 km / 83 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Val Gardena with your crew

Open the Dolomites High Road route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

Get TripsCircle

Val Gardena

Things to do in Val Gardena

See

Sella Pass

Museum Gherdëina

Do

Seceda

Sassolungo Circuit

Outdoors

Alpe di Siusi

Vallunga

Eat

Gostner Schwaige

Rifugio Emilio Comici