Here we are, Val Gardena, your perfect playground for alpine ski, hiking, mount biking and apes-ski in Dolomites. It is not far from Val Badia, really. We started from Val Badia at the morning for the activity which was indicated as a gentle path, unfolding at the foot of the impressive Sella Massif, with its pinnacles, dramatic rock faces and the famous Val di Messi, to the Pisciadu Waterfalls.
If you are a daily hiker, this will be a piece of cake for you. My friend and colleague, adventure travel pro Michele Cohen, would be laughing on me considering this as a hike. Yet there is a bit of up the hill walking which requires effort. And when your hiking guides are 20 y.o., born and raised in the mountains, you may feel your knees at some point trying to catch up.
Well, the scenery is spectacular when you catch your breath.
And oh, you are in Italy even some people around speak rather Austrian Germain.
As friend of mine, the owner of iconic Il San Pietro di Positano hotel, told me ones, “I bike hard because I love my pasta”. So we were, hiking hard, to end up at Jimmi’s Hütte, a traditional alpine eatery with spectacular views, and to be rewarded for the hiking effort with hearty food and good wine. And yes, it was good indeed, food, and scenery, and handsome waiters.
Yes, you know… those cute young waiters in alpine costumes make lunch more exciting.
After few glasses of wine and substantial lunch, we followed towards Val Gardena, as beautiful as it is, taking cable car to Selva and private transfer to our hotel in Ortisei.
Ortisei is a perfect post card of Alpine (well South Tyrollean to be precise) ski-in ski-out village which attracts not only outdoor sport adepts but also tourists in search of European charm. And truly, Ortisei (also known as Urtijëi in Ladin or St. Ulrich in German) is a charmer. It feels more Austrian than Italian, but you are still in Italian South Tyrol, no doubts.
In this little town you have it all: gondolas starting literally from the main street, spectacular panoramic views, cute boutique shops, bars, restaurants, family friendly hotels with tons of heritage but modern facilities. Highly recommended for families.
Things to Do
- Seceda Ridge: Ride the cable car from town up to the iconic, dramatic cliff edge for breathtaking panoramic views.
- Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm): Access Europe’s largest high-altitude alpine meadow for world-class hiking or skiing.
- Resciesa Funicular: Take the funicular up to the Resciesa plateau for walking trails and alpine huts.
- Pedestrian Village Center: Stroll through the cozy, flower-box-adorned streets filled with cafes, gelaterias, and woodcarving shops.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer (June to September): Ideal for alpine hiking, via ferratas, and cycling in mild weather.
- Winter (December to April): Perfect for skiing, connecting directly to the famous Dolomiti Superskinetwork and Sella Ronda circuit.
Where to stay?
I was staying at Adler SPA Resort, no complains. It is very centrally located, right in the heart of Ortisei and Val Gardena, spectacular SPA, the views from the gardens and swimming pools are breathtaking, the space is vast and landscaped beautifully.
Adler is great of families with kids, and you find many of them around enjoying family-friendly atmosphere, kids club, multiple swimming pools and activities. It doesn’t bother adult guests during the day since there is an abundance of space, but the main restaurant for dinner can be a bit too alive with kids running around. If you are more for quieter ambience, there is a part of hotel called Balance, and it is adults only. Balance has its own reception and restaurant for breakfast and dinner, while it shares the rest of facilities with the main property.
While in Ortisei, I went to see another property (we call it site inspection in travel business): Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa. It is part of Relais & Chateaux, and it is represented by good friend of mine Claudia Da Rin.
Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa official site Claudia Da Rin collection
I love Relais & Chateaux properties. Family owned, often passed through few generations, they are always special by many means and truly taken care of.
Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa is a perfect example of R&C, filled with family heritage and naturally injected with modernity of new age. It may not have vast grounds of Adler, but you will enjoy smaller scale, meticulous attention to details and the assurance of family behind the project.
The food is essential for every property belonging to R&C, and Gardena Grödnerhof is no exception. The cuisine of the Anna Stuben gourmet restaurant is one of the best in South Tyrol and boasts numerous awards, including one Michelin star and four Gault&Millau toques.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have chance (or rather time) to sample Anna Stuben cuisine (just glass of wine and appetizers while I was waiting for my site inspection), but the setting was promising, the same as everything else I’ve seen and experienced during my visit.
Gardena Grödnerhof is a part of our Virtuoso consortia, and If you decide to book with me, you enjoy:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant (already included in property rates)
- $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Welcome amenity in-room on arrival consisting of one complimentary bottle of local sparkling wine and appetizers by Michelin Restaurant “Anna Stuben”, plus one Gardena Grödnerhof branded thermos bottle
- Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
Anything you want to know about Val Gardena, feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Your wider picture if Dolomites Dolomites, Val Adige Dolomites, Val BadiaOther partner hotels in Val Gardena I didn’t visit yet: COMO Alpina Dolomites, Hotel Tyrol.
Feel free to contact me at [email protected] for your perfect Dolomites itinerary.
