The Most Beautiful Themed Trails in Val Gardena

The Dolomites are a fascinating landscape that you should not only admire but actively explore if you want to understand what makes this beautiful corner of the world so unique. The themed trails in and around Val Gardena offer you the chance to go on long hikes and walks and, along the way, learn about the respective theme of the trail.

The variety of these lovingly signposted tours ranges from the mill hiking trail to paths dedicated to famous sports stars of the region to walking routes along disused railway lines. The themed trails offer interesting surprises and bring you closer to Val Gardena's traditions, nature, economy and culture in an entertaining way.

The Val Gardena Railway Trail is a themed trail that recalls one of the most important chapters in the history of the valley: between 1915 and 1916, around 6,000 Russian prisoners of war built the route of the Gardena Railway. The railway line connected the villages of Roncadizza, Ortisei, S. Cristina and Selva and was in operation until 1960. Numerous information boards with exciting texts and historical pictures make this panoramic trail, which runs along the disused line, an interesting excursion destination. The trail can be accessed from all villages in Val Gardena and Roncadizza. If you want to learn more about the history of the Val Gardena Railway, pick up a brochure on the subject at the S. Cristina Tourist Office. The Val Gardena Railway Trail is also accessible with a pram. You should allow three and a half to four hours for the entire route.

• Total duration: 3-4 hours
• Route: 12.2 km
• Ascent altitude: 476 m
• Max. altitude: 1,594 m

Variant: Snow depths since 1951

With a length of just over one kilometre, the snow depths are a worthwhile section of the railway trail. Those interested in the weather will certainly want to study the snow chart near S. Cristina more closely on this family-friendly section of the trail, which shows the snow depths since 1951.

• Total duration: 15-20 minutes
• Distance: 1.1 km
• Ascent altitude: 37 m
• Max. altitude: 1,492 m

Above Ortisei, in the Forra di Bulla (gorge), you will find the old grain mills of Bulla, whose interesting history you will learn about during the mill hike. To walk the entire mill hiking trail, start in Bulla and follow trail no. 3A to a crossroads, from where it is about 300 metres uphill. From here, the little stream shows you the way to the mills built in the 18th and 19th centuries, which have gradually fallen into disrepair since their closure in the 1970s. Only the Rumanon Mill has been restored and is now open for visits and guided tours. The family-friendly hike takes about two hours and ends at the bus stop at Chiesa S. Leonardo.

• Total duration: 2 hours
• Distance: 3.4 km
• Ascent altitude: 175 m
• Max. altitude: 1,636 m

Val Gardena is an internationally renowned skiing stronghold. Not only do tourists conquer the ski area in the Dolomites every year, but it is also the venue of the Alpine Ski World Cup. The Ski Champions Walk is a memorial to the Alpine champions who triumphed at this location and local greats who championed skiing in the region.

The entrance to the walk is behind the ski school in Selva, directly on the footpath along the old railway line. During your walk, an audio guide will provide you with exciting background information about legendary athletes and tell you how the once-rural region developed into an international ski destination.

• Total duration: 30 minutes
• Route: 2.1 km
• Ascent altitude: 21 m
• Max. altitude: 1,594 m

Val Gardena is internationally famous for its woodcarving art, which you can admire on the Troi UNIKA Art-Nature Trail amid the magnificent Dolomite landscape. The trail starts directly at the Hotel Cendevaves on Monte Pana in Santa Cristina and offers you nine stations with impressive sculptures and artworks by local artists that are waiting to be discovered by you. The opening of the trail in 2016 was the result of a collaboration between the artist group UNIKA and the hosts of the Hotel Cendevaves.

The easy-to-master circular trail is only 1.7 kilometres long, but it is full of inspiration and offers interested people of all ages a uniquely beautiful approach to art and nature. Let your gaze wander into the distance or concentrate on design details and enjoy the wonderful tranquillity along the way.

• Total duration: 30 minutes
• Distance: 1.7 km
• Ascent height: 75 m
• Max. altitude: 1,690 m

The Legend Trail is one of the most popular walks in Val Gardena for children and adults alike. The destination of the walk is the Church of S. Giacomo, whose history dates back to the 12th century and is closely interwoven with the legend of Count Jakob von Stetteneck and his noble family. On 16 display boards lovingly designed by primary school pupils, you can learn what happened to the young count on his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

• Total duration: 3 hours
• Distance: 5.8 km
• Ascent altitude: 100 m
• Max. altitude: 1,590 m