Val Gardena is a small, charming town in the Dolomites of Italy with less than 5,000 people. It's best known for hiking trails and chair lifts for skiing. The region has a rich history and culture of woodworking due to abundant trees and access to a train line.
St Jacob's church is the oldest in the valley, dating back to 1283. It features beautiful frescoes and offers a scenic walk from Ortiz, about an hour away.
The funicular is a fun way to reach the top of local mountains and hills from Ortiz. It's a five-minute ride, offering access to refugios, restaurants, and hiking trails at the top. There's also a well-known cross and Chapel for those interested in hiking.
When visiting Val Gardena, it's recommended to stop by the visitor information center for a comprehensive overview of activities and events. The center provides details on guided hikes, classes, and other experiences available in the area.
Anders and I took the gondola to Sizer Alm, conveniently located near our apartment. The area offers hiking trails, a gift shop, souvenir shop, restaurant with mountain views. There's also a planned circuit walk with beautiful views and an option for a shorter chair lift back down.
Enjoy a slow walk in the town meet, lifting your feet out of cold river water for health benefits. Don't dry your feet afterwards; let them air dry and relax in The Hammocks or benches to enjoy nature.
Paragliding is a super fun activity, highly recommended for adventure enthusiasts. It may not be in the budget this time, but it's worth considering for future trips.
While exploring the foreign area, we discovered a local festival called Mantra Manza where they bring down cattle from the mountains. Embracing the unknown, we hiked to Castle Roto and found people waiting for something to happen - possibly the arrival of cows.
Taking two buses to get up to Sasolongo, a big Rocky Mountain. Riding the Gondola to the top and then hiking around one of the peaks for about five miles.
Visiting the swimming pool, expecting a hot tub but finding it lukewarm. The water slide was closed, and outside pool is off-season. However, enjoyed the Turkish steam room which was warm and steamy.
The Latin Cultural Museum offers a unique experience to explore arts, culture, and geology related to the Latin culture in Mid Alamites.