Val Gardina - need car?

Posted by ltgrubensky on 04/20/24 12:44 AM

We plan a week trip to Val Gardina for hiking in early September - hopefully at an Agritourismo location. My husband thinks we need to rent a car (maybe in Balzano?) to get into this area and then hub-and-spoke around to hike and travel into some local towns. I'm of the opinion we don't need a car but can use public transport for it all. I would really appreciate any input or pearls if anyone has experience in this region. Our second week will be near Lake Maggiore region - again, I think public transport will be sufficient.

Much thanks!

Posted by NickB

Maryland

04/20/24 01:24 AM

869 posts

Suedtirol.info will tell you everything you need to know. Hotels give you a free bus pass for your stay so you can go anywhere for free, Go up one gondola, hike where you want and come down another - and get a bus home. Check out Gillian Prices guides for hiking in the Dolomites. Great information for short and long hikes. There are gondolas everywhere to take you up (and down of you want). The bus station in Bolzano is 100 yards north of the Main Train station and has excellent signage to where you want to go and when the buses run. Ortisei is 60 minutes from Bolzano. Santa Christina is 15 minutes or so farther. Castelrotto is 45 minutes away from. Bolzano on a different line (but you can go between them too) and you can catch a bus directly to Seiser Alm village where you can get the gondola up to the Alpi de Siusi.

https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en/information/mobility-and-barrier-free-accessibility

You will have a great time.

Posted by Barkinpark

Bay Area, California

04/20/24 02:43 AM

1441 posts

I strongly suggest you stay in Ortisei. It's the most central location, which is important if you don't have a rental car. I did rent a car but it was not 100% necessary. In fact, we spent a good amount of time finding parking. Early Sept is no longer low season, and it's essential to book your hotel or farm stay early.

Posted by Suki

04/20/24 04:45 AM

11201 posts

We had a car in Ortisei but left it in the hotel garage the whole time we were there. We could walk to the lifts.

Posted by Laurel

Forest Grove, OR

04/20/24 04:51 AM

11349 posts

We have been going to Ortisei for over a decade and never have a car. If you want to go to neighboring valleys a car would be handy but if your focus is hiking, you will find enough great options in the Val Gardena to keep you busy for weeks without a lot of windshield time.

Search “Ortisei” in the search bar above and countless threads from this forum will come up.