I'm looking for suggestions on AWESOME hikes in Val Gardena. Its looking like we'll be staying in Ortisei for a full week in July. We've already been up to Seiseralm and the Schlern, so I'd like suggestions on some other truly memorable hikes. We're fairly experienced hikers - I'm a marathon runner and triathlete and my wife is fairly fit as well, so we're ok with more demanding hikes. We're also willing to go a bit further afield, eg Sella or Meran but don't want to head too far towards Cortina (been there, done that). Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
I love the hike around the Drei Zinnen (Tre Cime' in Italian I think??) - the peaks are stunning there. The hike up and around the Langkofell Gruppe is also very nice. There are conventional trails all around them as well as metal spikes and "stairs" up an over some of the tops of this outcropping. I've been up partway but never all the way up and over the most craggly ones. Pretty spectacular! Also consider taking the cabine up to the top of the Marmolatta - one of the most breathtaking rides on a gondola in Europe - the view from the top and the hiking are worth it.
Posted by
Firenze
500 posts
From passo Sella you can ride the cable car up to the "fork" between Sassolungo (Lanfkopfel) and Sassopiatto and descend to the base station walking around Sassolungo. I did it as a teen but the lunar landscape at the fork it is so imprinted in my mind that when a friend did the same and published a photo on Facebook, I immediately recognized the place after 35+ years. The walk is long but not really strenuous as you are descending most of the time.
Sassolungo is difficult to climb but not impossible, so if you have climbing experience you can hire a guide and climb to the top. You obviously need to be fit, have the correct equipment and some previous experience is necessary as in the descent there are several passages needing rappelling.