Lying at altitudes between 1,670 and 2,050 meters, the Armentara meadows blanket the Armentara Plateau on the western edge of Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park in Alta Badia, South Tyrol.
Sprawling beneath the impressive rock faces of Sasso di Santa Croce Group (Sas dla Crusc in Ladin, Kreuzkofel in German), the idyllic Armentara Plateau embodies everything we love about walking in the Dolomites: dramatic views with little effort and visual counterpoints between velvety meadows and rugged rock faces.
The walk across the Armentara Meadows begins at the Santa Croce Chapel (La Crusc in Ladin, Heiligkreuz in German), which is accessible by two cableways (La Crusc 1 and La Crusc 2) from Badia. From the chapel, the trail undulates across the plateau on gravel paths and farm roads, before gradually descending all the way down to Badia.
When the cable cars aren’t running in early summer and autumn, or if you simply prefer not to use them, you can reach the Armentara Meadows from several car parks and nearby villages, such as the Furnacia car park near La Val, or San Cassiano. I’ve explained these alternative ascent routes at the end of this guide.
- Starting Point: La Crusc 1 valley station in Badia, Alta Badia | Google Maps
- Trailhead: La Crusc Church (2045 m)
- Distance: 9 km point-to-point (circuit with cableways)
- Time Needed: 3 hours
- Elevation Gain: 70 meters
- Elevation Loss: 800 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Where to Stay in Badia: Chalet Planvart (budget), or Badia Hill (luxury)
- Where to Stay in La Villa: Ciasa Agreiter (budget), Hotel La Majun (luxury), or Hotel Cristallo – Wellness Mountain Living (luxury)
- Trail Map: Tabacco 07 Alta Badia
Armentara Meadows Hiking Map
Essential Trail Info
Hiking Season | If you want to take advantage of the cableway ascent, visit during the summer holiday season. Outside this period, the hike becomes more demanding, requiring an 800-meter ascent from Badia to the Armentara Plateau. Though summer is enchanting with its wildflowers, autumn has its own magic, as the larches turn a brilliant gold in mid to late October. I was also able to hike to Armentara in November.
Trail Direction | While the route poses no technical challenges, the 800-meter descent can be punishing for sensitive knees. If that applies to you, consider hiking the route in reverse.
Trail Variations | Instead of taking both gondolas, you can opt to ride only the La Crusc 1 gondola. From the middle station, follow trail 7a to the small lake of Lech dlá Lé. Continue on 7a until you reach the junction with trail 7b. Bear left onto trail 7b, then follow trail 13 to ascend to Santa Croce Church. It’s also possible to hike to Armentara Meadows from La Villa, San Cassiano, or Spëscia above La Val.
Circular Route | In the autumn, I make my third journey to the Armentara Plateau, hiking the Roda da Armentara circular route. I thought this would be the perfect route to tackle once the cable cars stopped operating in the fall. However, the ascent via Ciastel, Valgiarëi, and Furnacia was underwhelming, as it mostly followed a paved road. For that reason, I’d recommend hiking the trail described out-and-back, if the gondolas are closed.
Where to Eat | Rifugio Santa Croce – La Crusc or Ranch da Andrè
Responsible Hiking | The 280-hectare plateau is safeguarded under the European Natura 2000 network to protect its rich biodiversity. Stay on marked paths and do not trample the meadows.
Good to Know | Armentara meadows are called Pra de Armentara in the local Ladin language.
How to Get to La Crusc: the Armentara Meadows Trailhead
The Armentara Meadows walk starts in the village of Badia in Val Badia, situated between San Martino in Badia and La Villa. Frequent bus connections link Badia with other villages in Alta Badia.
Begin the hike at the La Crusc 1 valley station in Badia. Take the La Crusc 1 and La Crusc 2 gondolas up to the Santa Croce Sanctuary (2,045 m). A one-way ticket is sufficient.
Operating Times | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Pricing | Current Pricing
Armentara Meadows Trail Description
Optional: La Crusc Middle Station – Lech dlá Lé – Santa Croce Sanctuary (1:10 hours)
From the middle station, turn right and follow Trail 7a to Lech dlá Lé, a small lake surrounded by spruce and larch, with Sas dla Crusc rising in the background.
After the detour, continue hiking along trail 7a until you reach the junction with trail 7b. Turn left onto trail 7b, then follow trail 13 to ascend to the Santa Croce Sanctuary.
Santa Croce Sanctuary to Ranch da André (1:30 hours)
Starting from the La Crusc (Heiligkreuz, Santa Croce) chapel, cross the terrace of Rifugio Santa Croce and turn left along trail 15/15A to Armentara. The path leads away from the Sasso Santa Croce massif (Sas dla Crusc, Kreuzkofel).
The gravel path descends gently, sometimes wide, sometimes narrow, crossing wildflower meadows and pockets of larch and stone pine forest.
Just before you reach the the Cross of Col de Tramesc, there’s an info board inside a hay hut on the right side of the path, recounting the story of a farmer known as Wissemanbauer who carried a cross from Gais to Sas dla Crusc as penance for his grave sins. He died in this very spot, just short of reaching the sanctuary. The cross was erected in memory of his final act of penance.
Shortly thereafter, bear left on 15A to Armentara, signed 20 minutes.
Soon, you’ll pass another hay hut on the left side of the path housing an info board about the Armentara meadows along with a postcard-writing station. According to the sign, the area between Badia and La Val is a site of biodiversity, with almost 200 species of plants and 60 species of birds.
Continue following trail 15A, which steeply drops down the larch-lined forest road with views of Sass de Putia at first and then the distant Zillertal Alps. The gradient eases as you approach the sprawling meadowscape of Armentara. Looking southwest, you’ll see Marmolada, Sella, and Sassongher.
Follow Trail 15a across the Armentara Plateau, where small wooden huts dot the meadows like something out of a storybook. The soft alpine scenery unfolds beautifully, inviting you to take your time.
After a satisfying flat stretch of path, veer left and ascend to Ranch da André. Surrounded by goats and cows, Ütia Ranch da André (1855 m) is an atmospheric lunch stop on this short walk. The hut is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, usually from early June until early October.
Ranch da André Refuge to Badia (1:15 hours)
From Ranch da André, retrace your steps to the main trail and turn right, following trail 7a to Badia.
Walk along the fenced enclosure of goats and other animals. The trail angles gently up across a meadow. Views open up to Marmolada, Piz Boè, and Sasongher.
The track spirals down and after about 20 minutes, you’ll arrive at the tiny lake called Lech de Valacia. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by scenes straight out of a fairy tale. Throughout the descent, the mighty Fanes Group stands to your left, a constant and awe-inspiring presence.
The track continues to curve downhill, sometimes steeply. As you lose elevation, there are some splendid views of Val Badia. At the Valgiarëi hamlet junction, turn left along the paved road.
You’ll pass several farmsteads surrounded by grazing cows as you near San Linert (S. Leonardo, St. Leonhard), the village above Badia. From there, it’s another 10-minute descent to reach Badia.
More Ascent Routes to Armentara Plateau
The Armentara Meadows are accessible from various car parks and villages throughout Alta Badia, offering plenty of options for those seeking a longer hike or one that doesn’t rely on cable cars. During our autumn sojourn in Badia, I actually hiked to the Armentara Plateau from both San Cassiano and Furnacia.
Furnacia | Furnacia is a hamlet near La Val. The Furnacia paid car park (Google Maps) is located up the road from the hamlet. If you’re staying in La Val, this is the easiest way to access the plateau. Note: Furnacia also lies on the Roda da Armentara circular route, the trail I didn’t particularly enjoy hiking in October, because it mostly follows paved roads.
San Cassiano | If you’re starting in the village of San Cassiano, you can initially follow the Path of the Larches to Rudiferia and then continue on trail 15 to La Crusc. Next, follow the Armentara Meadows trail as described in this guide to Badia. Return to San Cassiano by bus. I hiked this path in early November and absolutely loved it. Though it’s mostly forested, there are some grand views of the Fanes and Puez mountains.
Where to Stay in Alta Badia
Badia
Badia (Abtei) is a charming village in Val Badia, situated between La Villa and San Martino in Badia. Set at 1,315 meters, it lies between the Puez-Odle and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Parks. From here, the La Crusc Cableways whisk you up to the Santa Croce Sanctuary at 2,045 meters, the perfect starting point for exploring the Armentara Meadows.
Budget | Residence Lersc are great-value apartments in San Linert, where this Armentara trail essentially ends.
Midrange | Hotel Melodia del Bosco offers lovely spacious and modern rooms in Badia. Guests have free access to the hotel’s wellness area, which encompasses a Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, Alpine herbs sauna, and a steam bath, as well as a relaxation area and gym. For the hotel’s location and overall quality, the price is unbeatable. When booking your room, you can opt for breakfast only or half board (breakfast and dinner).
Top Choice – Luxury | Badia Hill impresses with its contemporary, drool-worthy design and satisfies with its facilities, restaurant, and bar. This brand new hotel commands unimaginable views of Sasso Santa Croce from its gorgeous spa and infinity pool. Book this hotel if it’s available!! Read our Badia Hill hotel review.
Look for accommodation in Badia.
More Places to Stay | Chalet Ciasa Nene Franzl (apartments), Lüch Runch Hof (apartments / farm stay), Sporthotel Teresa (4-star hotel)
La Villa
La Villa (Stern) is another small village in Alta Badia between Badia and Corvara. Advantageously situated between the Fanes Group and Puez Group, La Villa is one of the dreamiest places to experience Enrosadira sunsets in the Dolomites. Set further away from Passo Gardena, La Villa enjoys a quieter location than neighboring Corvara and Colfosco.
During our stay in La Villa, we hiked to Gherdenacia Plateau, Rifugio Fanes, and the Armentara Meadows.
Budget | Pensione Camoscio is a well-run charming hotel with cozy, Tyrolean-style rooms, excellent breakfasts and dinners, and a peaceful setting. Great value for money.
Budget Apartments | Ciasa Agreiter in La Villa is a pet-friendly property with beautiful, well-equipped apartments with stunning mountain views.
Luxury | Hotel La Majun exudes luxury in the shape of gourmet Ladin cuisine (half board available), modern rooms, and an elegant atmosphere.
Luxury | Hotel Cristallo – Wellness Mountain Living enjoys an idyllic setting between La Villa and Corvara. This 4-star-superior hotel pampers guests with its heavenly wellness facilities, high-quality half board offering, and stylish rooms.
Luxury | Hotel Ciasa Soleil is a boutique hotel in La Villa that wowed us with its excellent cuisine, relaxing indoor and outdoor wellness facilities, unbeatable sunset views, and striking design.
Look for accommodation in La Villa.
More Dolomites Travel Guides
Learn More about Alta Badia:
- Best Hotels in Alta Badia
- Alta Badia Summer Guide
- Lake Pisciadù Day Hike
- Sass de Putia Circuit Trail
- Sass da Ciampac Hike
- Gran Cir Via Ferrata
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Hi,
Is it suitable with stroller?
Thank you!
Hi Moran,
The path is mostly gravel… I guess it would depend on what stroller you have. Please reach out to the Alta Badia tourist office for their guidance.
Warmly,
Sabrina