The most beautiful walks in Val Gardena

Val Gardena is a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers and winter sports enthusiasts. But even if you want to take it easy and enjoy a leisurely stroll, you will get your money's worth here. Whether you are a spry senior citizen, a young mother with a pram or a family with children – in Val Gardena, there are wonderful walking paths where you can discover nature. Even those who like to stroll through the beautiful villages or are simply looking for space to explore and have fun will find a suitable tour here that can be done on foot without much effort.

Val Gardena is famous for its wonderful location in the middle of the Dolomites. The valley has a rich history and a lively culture that is well worth exploring. So put on your hiking boots and set out on the most beautiful walks in Val Gardena.

Plenty of space for playing, climbing and picnicking

On the Monte Pana High Plateau, families and other eager walkers can enjoy a very special excursion on the PanaRaida Adventure Trail. How do you get children to take a short hike without grumbling? That's right – you create so much variety with outdoor attractions that the little ones won't even think of complaining.

With attractions ranging from a giant forest swing to a labyrinth and a carriage with wooden horses, the PanaRaida offers plenty of fun and educational activities for walkers both big and small. There are also wonderful picnic areas along the way. No special physical condition is required; the PanaRaida is even passable with a pram. For this tour near S. Cristina that starts at the valley station of the Monte Sëura cable car, you should plan about two hours.

• Total duration: 1,5 h
• Ascent duration: 0,5 h
• Descent duration: 0,5 h
• Distance: 2,5 km
• Ascent altitude: 75 m
• max. altitude: 1700 m

On the trail of the legend of S. Giacomo

The Legend Trail leads you from the Residence Sovara in S. Cristina to the S. Giacomo Church and lets you experience the history of Val Gardena first-hand. On a route of either 5.7 or 7.5 kilometres, you will learn everything about the history of the Counts of Stetteneck and their son Giacomo, in whose honour the S. Giacomo Church was built – the oldest church in the valley.

The legend of S. Giacomo is a love story involving life and death. Fortunately, it had a happy ending, which is why Val Gardena is now home to a beautiful chapel and a breathtaking viewpoint. A look into the small church is just as highly recommended as a photo with the view of the magnificent Sassolungo. The Legend Trail is varied and easy to manage even for inexperienced hikers.

• Total duration: 3 h
• Ascent duration: 1,5 h
• Descent duration: 1,5 h
• Distance: 5,8 km
• Ascent altitude: 100 m
• max. altitude: 1590 m

Animals, green meadows and plenty of room to explore

The walk through the Vallunga Valley is a short, easy hike that is particularly popular with families. It offers wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and plenty of space to play.

The trail starts at the entrance to the Vallunga Valley, near Selva. Steep rock faces border the valley on the left and right, making it impossible to get lost here. St. Sylvester’s Chapel with its centuries-old frescoes is a wonderful stopover. Several picnic tables are also available for a rest.

Children love to climb the boulders along the way and explore the terrain. But they are particularly enthusiastic about the many sheep and cows that you regularly see here. If you have binoculars with you, you can also keep an eye out for the hand-carved animal figures that artists from Val Gardena have made and hidden along the path for inquisitive animal lovers.

• Total duration: 2,5 h
• Ascent duration: 1 h 15 min
• Descent duration: 1 h 15 min
• Distance: 5 km
• Ascent altitude: 200 m
• max. altitude: 1850 m

Sights, pretty shops and cosy cafés

The village circuit "Raida dl luech" in S. Cristina can be completed in roughly one hour and ten minutes. With numerous sights, inviting shops and cosy cafés, however, it offers so many pleasant diversions that a whole day can easily be spent here.

You can join the circular route at several points. For car drivers, the car park at the parish square in S. Cristina is recommended. Important stops along the way are The Parish Church of S. Cristina with its high altar, the promenade with a children's playground, the life-size nativity scene made by sculptors from Val Gardena and the Tervela waterfall on the other side of the stream.

• Total duration: 1 h 10 min
• Ascent duration: 0,5 h
• Descent duration: 0,5 h
• Distance: 3,9 km
• Ascent altitude: 130 m
• max. altitude: 1450 m

Hammocks, water and hiking without effort

The path to the Val d'Anna is not only considered one of the most beautiful paths in Val Gardena, but the path, which is about 2.9 kilometres long, is also so easy and well-paved that it can be easily managed with a pram.

At the edge of the path, there are several hammocks where you can relax in good weather. The Annabach offers a wonderful opportunity to play. Older children and brave adults can take a detour to the Col de Flam Adventure Park, where you can soar through the treetops on a 680-metre zip line. The Kneipp facility in the Val d'Anna is a wonderful place to do something for your health and refresh your tired feet. A large playground with a football pitch also guarantees that your walk will quickly turn into a joyful half-day excursion. With the Baita Pauli and the Val d'Anna Café, walkers will find two family-friendly places to stop and enjoy culinary specialities from the region.

• Total duration: 1 h
• Ascent duration: 0,5 h
• Descent duration: 0,5 h
• Distance: 2,9
• Ascent altitude: 100 m
• max. altitude: 1330 m

Find peace and be rewarded with a majestic view

Val Gardena is the ideal destination to find peace far away from everyday life. The starting point is The Parish Church of Ortisei. A special place for inner contemplation is the "Dialogweg" (Dialogue Path), which makes up part of the walk from Ortisei to the S. Giacomo Church. The path, decorated with art and quotations, leads to an impressive figure of Christ.

Wonderful paths then lead up the mountain to the S. Giacomo Church, behind which the majestic peaks of the Sassolungo and the Sassopiatto rise up. Once you have reached the top, you should definitely take a look inside the church, which is one of the most important landmarks of Val Gardena. The descent takes you back to Ortisei via the Grohmann Monument and the Luis Trenker path. If you want to shorten your trip home, you can also take the bus.

• Total duration: 2 h 15 min
• Ascent duration: 1 h 15 min
• Descent duration: 1 h
• Distance: 6 km
• Ascent altitude: 320 m
• max. altitude: 1560 m

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