Here’s how I would structure a one-week trip to Val Gardena in summer or autumn if I wanted to explore the region deeply while staying in a single accommodation for 4-7 nights.
The area offers an enormous range of hikes, mountain huts, and viewpoints beyond Seceda and Alpe di Siusi. Given enough time, you can experience an exceptional variety of landscapes and trails from a single well-chosen base with or without a car.
Many visitors treat the Dolomites like a checklist, moving quickly between “must-see” locations instead of spending time exploring a region properly. If you prefer a slower, more intentional approach to Dolomites travel, this Val Gardena itinerary is designed for you.
- Day 1: Resciesa Plateau
- Day 2: Puez Peaks & Plateaus
- Day 3: Seceda
- Day 4: Cir Mountains
- Day 5: Alpe di Siusi Plateau
- Day 6: Sassolungo Group
- Day 7: Depart Val Gardena
- Stay 4-7 nights in Val Gardena. Read Best Val Gardena Hotels.
Val Gardena Trip Planning Tips
Car-Free Travel | Val Gardena overnight guests receive a complimentary guest card with unlimited access to local public transportation for the length of their stay. Use the suedtirolmobil.info to plan your transit journeys. If you’re confused about how to get to a trailhead, accommodation hosts and the local tourist office will assist you.
Where to Stay without a Car | If you’re traveling without a car, Ortisei is the most convenient base, thanks to its pedestrianized town center and three cableways. Take a look at Cësa Gredine (apartments), Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti (5-star), Casa al Sole (B&B, read our Casa al Sole review), Boutique Hotel Planlim (3-star hotel), Hotel Genziana (4-star hotel), Hotel Garni Snaltnerhof (3-star hotel).
Where to Stay with a Car | I’d stay in Santa Cristina or Selva. We love Dorfhotel Beludei (here’s my Dorfhotel Beludei review) in Santa Cristina, an excellent option for travelers who enjoy the ease of half board dining. Dorfhotel Beludei also offers complimentary guided hikes each week with their in-house guide. In Selva, there are numerous excellent options: Garni Sunela B&B (B&B), Garni Morene (B&B), Garni Hotel Bel Vert (B&B), Linder Cycling Hotel and Hotel Continental Dolomites (4-star hotel).
Rainy Day Activities | Take a bus to Bolzano (included in your guest card) and explore the capital of South Tyrol. Book a day spa in advance in the The Oswald Grand Hotel in Selva or Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti in Ortisei.
Hiking Season | The hiking season stretches from June until the end of October, depending on snow conditions.
Hiking Map | See my Val Gardena Hiking Guide to view all trails plotted on an interactive map.
Day 1: Resciesa Plateau
The Resciesa Alp is a sprawling plateau in Puez-Odle Nature Park, which forms part of the mountain ridge rising between Val di Funes from Val Gardena. A funicular connects the town of Ortisei with Chalet Resciesa atop the plateau.
A great way to kick-off a Val Gardena trip is with a gentle hike across the Resciesa plateau. You can follow the circular trail that connects Schutzhütte Raschötz, Heilig Kreuz Kapelle, Resciesa Dedora, or better yet hike to Rifugio Brogles.
From the Brogles Hut, I recommend extending your hike along the Adolf Munkel Trail to Geisler Alm. This is the best way to get a taste of Val di Funes without having to drive, or take multiple buses all the way around the mountains.
Adventurous hikers can even cross the Geisler Group to Seceda.
Where to Eat | Rifugio Brogles, Geisler Alm, or Chalet Resciesa
Day 2: Puez Peaks & Plateaus
There are two exceptional summit hikes in the Puez Group, made more accessible with the Col Raiser gondola: Piz Duleda and Col dala Pieres. These challenging hikes require comfort with exposure and some hands-on scrambling.
If that sounds too intense, I highly recommend hiking to Steviola Plateau instead. This incredible trail, still a hidden gem, links the Daunëi trailhead above Selva with Juac Hütte, Steviola, and the Palota trail.
Where to Eat | Rifugio Firenze if you hike Piz Duleda. Stevia Hütte if you hike Col dala Pieres. Juac Hütte or Stevia Hütte if you hike Steviola Plateau.
Day 3: Seceda
There are numerous ways to hike to Seceda, one of the most iconic attractions in the Dolomites.
If you’re based in Ortisei, pre-book an early morning Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cable car ticket and hike this Rifugio Firenze circuit trail. If you’re based in Selva or Santa Cristina, ride the Col Raiser gondola and then hike 20 minutes to Rifugio Firenze to start the circuit trail.
Alternatively, skip the cable cars and hike to Seceda from the Cristauta – Praplan Car Park above Santa Cristina. On the return journey, the trail ascends to Monte Pic, one of my favorite viewpoints in Val Gardena, and then descends across the enchanting Seurasas pastures to Baita Seurasas Hütte (great view & yummy food).
Via ferrata hikers can also summit Sass Rigais (Grade B/C Via Ferrata), starting at the Seceda cable car mountain station (longer) or the Col Raiser gondola mountain station (shorter).
Where to Eat | Baita Troier Hütte
Day 4: Cir Mountains
The sawtooth Cir mountains border Passo Gardena to the north. This striking chain of craggy sun-drenched peaks can be easily reached from Selva di Val Gardena via the Dantercepies gondolas. There’s no need to take a bus, or drive to Passo Gardena.
From the Dantercepies mountain station, you can summit Gran Cir (Grade A via ferrata), hike to Sass da Ciampac and Lake Crespëina, cross the Puez Plateau and descend back to Selva via Vallunga Valley.
You can also skip the cableway entirely and hike up Val de Chedul to the Puez Plateau.
Where to Eat | Jimmy Hütte
Day 5: Alpe di Siusi
After a string of intense hiking days, I recommend slowing down today and walking across the Alpe di Siusi plateau.
I created this Alpe di Siusi Meadows trail, starting at the Alpe di Siusi-Ortisei gondola mountain station, to guide first time visitors across the largest mountain pasture in Europe. This is one place where a plan is necessary if you want to get the most out of your day.
Along the way, I recommend eating at Rauchhütte or Gostner Schwaige.
Day 6: Sella Pass & Sassolungo Group
Navigate to Passo Sella, the mountain pass that links Val Gardena with Val di Fassa, to either hike the Sassolungo Circuit Trail, or climb the Oskar Schuster Via Ferrata (Grade B/C).
Day 7: Depart Val Gardena
If you want to squeeze in one last hike before your departure, I recommend hiking the 6-km Steviola Plateau circuit.
Extending your trip in the Dolomites? Check out these guides:
Alta Pusteria:
Cortina d’Ampezzo:
Pale di San Martino:
Alta Badia:
Dolomites Travel:
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer
- How to Get to the Dolomites
- How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car
- Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
- Day Hikes in the Dolomites
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