I am planning a one week trip from Verona to Dolomites beginning at the end of the first week June and ending in Trieste. I had been thinking of staying in Val Gardena for a number of days. I am concerned that the lifts or gondolas may not be open or if open, the trails may still be snow covered and the refugio not open. Would it be better to stay in Kastelruth rather than Santa Cristina since it is early June. I realize that the Dolomites covers many amazing areas and in the time frame I have, I will only get a taste. Not sure also if there will be closures of some of the mountain roads/passes I would also like to spend two nights near Follina to do Prosecco wineries visits, either before the ValGardena or after stopping on the way to Trieste. Appreciate any input, information, ideas.
Posted by
Maryland
1024 posts
You can check Weather .com for the usual weather in your selected city in the Dolomites by date. I would expect that all passes would be open by June since spring has been coming early. Kastelruth is a short bus ride away from the Seiser Alm lift to the Alpi di Suisi but from Santa Christina you can go up directly to the mountains, but not the Alpi di Suisi. From Ortisei you can go up either to the Alpi di Suisi or to the north side of the Val Gardena valley.
Check out:
https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en
Also, Consult Giillian Price's hiking guides to the Dolomites for routes and locations of possible trail options.
It is a big area, and there are lots of hiking options even if some are closed off by snow.
Posted by
532 posts
Here is the lift schedule for Val Gardena, this is for 2025 but it will be similar in 2026.
https://www.val-gardena.com/en/summer/mobility/lifts-cable-cars/
Brad
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3518 posts
Was just in Selva di Val Gardena one week ago and it is the place to stay. It’s at the end of the valley about six miles away from overtouristed Ortisei where all the tour bus hordes go. Santa Cristina Gherdeina is midway between Selva di Val Gardena and Ortisei. I highly recommend staying in Selva di Val Gardena. Your hotel will give you a free bus pass you can use to visit the other towns if you do not have a car rental.
Posted by
OP
California
2 posts
Thank you all for this great information. Now to find a place to stay.
Posted by
3273 posts
We were in Ortisei in late June and I didn't see any bus tours. High season is July and August and I suspect that is when Ortisei can be overcrowded.
We stayed in Ortisei for five nights without a car and were very pleased with our choice. There are three lifts that go directly from town.
Posted by
Glasgow
128 posts
We are just back from a week in the Dolomites, light hiking and we both felt that the Cortina side of the area much more spectacular than the Ortisei/Val Gardena area. Personally, the cable cars and walks there were absolutely a wow.Did feel a little disappointed that the western end of the mountains, while of course lovely, didn’t hit the spot for us.
Posted by
Chicago
29 posts
You should be fine with the lifts and gondolas at that time of year, though weather could be unpredictable. I agree that the mtns around Cortina are much more rugged and beautiful. But with only 3-4 days, you will have to choose Val Gardena or Cortina. Pick one for this trip and you will likely have an opportunity for the other on another trip.
Ortesei is more touristy but we LOVED our stay Hotel Grones with the half board. The food is fantastic. Ortisei is in a beautiful green valley with less views of the mtns. Selva, at the other end of Val Gardena, starts to have more rugged mtn views. It is super easy to travel between the three villages with local transport.
I would NOT stay in Kastelruth/Castelrotto. It is much farther from where you want to be for gondolas and hikes.