Gherdëina - Grödnertal - Val Gardena

Val Gardena highlights

Val Gardena Essentials

Val Gardena is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the South Tyrolean Dolomites, renowned for its Ladin culture and woodcarving heritage. This selection covers the valley's three main villages—Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva—and key natural landmarks like the Seceda ridgeline and Tervela waterfall. It highlights architectural sites including the 17th-century Gardena Castle and the Romanesque-Gothic St. Jacob’s Church, alongside the Museum Gherdëina which documents the region's unique linguistic and artistic history.

Val Gardena Essentials — Map

Wolfgang Moroder / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Val Gardena

Val Gardena is a valley in Northern Italy, in the Dolomites of South Tyrol.

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Seceda

Summit station providing access to the iconic Odle Group ridgeline. The viewpoint at 2,500 meters offers panoramic vistas across the Dolomites, including the Sella Group, Marmolada, and Alpe di Siusi.

Wolfgang Moroder / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Val Gardena

As part of the world-famous network of 12 ski areas, Val Gardena is a particularly popular spot for beginners and families with children.

Wolfgang Moroder / CC BY-SA 2.5

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St.-Jakobs-Kirche

Known as the oldest church in Val Gardena, this Romanesque structure features a Gothic choir and 15th-century frescoes. It is located above Ortisei and is accessible via a historic forest path.

Wolfgang Moroder / Public domain

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Ortisei Parish Church

The Parish Church of Urtijëi located in the town of Urtijëi in Val Gardena in South Tyrol, Italy is dedicated to the Epiphany and to Saint…

Moroder / Public domain

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Museum Gherdëina

The Gherdëina Local Heritage Museum was opened in the Cësa di Ladins in Urtijëi, in northernmost Italy, in 1960.

Llorenzi / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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Gardena Castle

This 17th-century castle served as a summer and hunting lodge to a Tyrolean count. It has retained its former beauty.

Wolfgang Moroder / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Footpath Luis Trenker

Luis Trenker was a South Tyrolean film producer, director, writer, actor, architect, alpinist, and bobsledder.

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Col Raiser

Cable car station serving the Mastlé alpine pastures. It provides a starting point for high-altitude hikes into the Puez-Odle Nature Park and access to several traditional mountain huts.

Nimue / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Ncisles - Regensburger - Firenze

Built in 1888, this historic alpine hut sits at 2,037 meters on the Cisles alp. It serves as a base for climbing the Sass Rigais and exploring the Geisler peaks.

Wolfgang Moroder / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Resciesa

A funicular railway connecting Ortisei to the Rasciesa plateau at 2,200 meters. The area is part of the Puez-Odle Nature Park and features panoramic walking trails and a winter toboggan run.

Wolfgang Moroder / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Tervela

A tiered waterfall located between Santa Cristina and Selva. The falls are fed by the Tervela stream from the Sassolungo group and are accessible via a short walking trail.

Other Lists

Dolomites Peaks & Huts Hidden Gems of Val Gardena Alpine Lifts & Climbing Historic Churches & Castles