Best hikes in Selva, Val Gardena

Cicerone do excellent guide books to the Dolomites.

Rick Steves' actually has good hikes in his Italy Guidebook. "Panorama to Zallingerhutte" is terrific, although it took us longer than 4 hours due to stops at two of the rifugi (a true pleasure!), and a penchant for photography. We also took the "Trail of the Witches" in the Alpe di Siusi, a 2-hour loop.

Pick up a Val Gardena Pass, which covers many if not most of the lifts, gondolas and the funivia at Raciesa.. You will also be able to pick up a good map with trails. There's a nice loop at Raciesa (opposite side of the valley from the Alpe di Siusi). You can make more challenging by trekking past the Rifugio Raciesa to Santa Croce. There's another great hike from the top of the lift at Seceda to Col Raiser, where you can descend into Santa Cristina (or is it Selva?) and take bus back to Ortisei.

Laurel, how many days do you recommend spending there? i really like hiking!

Andrea, we spent 6 nights last year and it was perfect! We spent two nights in the Alpe di Siusi and four in Ortisei. Have us a chance to do a lot of different hikes. We'd start out early and be back to our room by 15:00, relax, then hit the town for un' aperitivo, shopping and dinner.

In addition to the description you have in the book, it's always a good idea to get a map and the latest advice/updates at the Tourist Office.