WHAT TO DO IN VAL GARDENA IN SUMMER
In summer, Val Gardena turns into one of the most beautiful playgrounds in the Dolomites: green meadows, mountain huts you can reach on foot, and rock walls that seem to change colour by the hour. Living in Santa Cristina all year round, here's what we tell our guests most often.
HIKING FOR EVERY LEVELSeveral trails leading up to the Puez-Odle Nature Park and the Alpe di Siusi — the largest high-altitude alpine meadow in Europe — start right from the apartment. Some routes are suitable even for families with children or hiking prams, with mountain huts serving local dishes along the way, handy for planning stops without carrying everything in your backpack.
THE SELLARONDA BY BIKE AND ON FOOTThe loop around the four Dolomite passes (Sella, Gardena, Campolongo and Pordoi) is one of the most iconic experiences in the area, ridden by cyclists in good shape or split across several stages. Even just one stretch, perhaps helped by the lifts open in summer for bike transport, rewards you with views you won't forget.
VIA FERRATA AND CLIMBINGThe walls of Sassolungo and the Sella group offer via ferrata routes of varying difficulty, from beginner-friendly to demanding for those with experience. We always recommend a local mountain guide for your first outings — safety first, and they know which routes have the best views depending on the day's weather.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDRENSeveral mountain huts around Santa Cristina have playgrounds and short, flat paths, perfect for a first mountain outing with little ones. Our tip: start early in the morning, when the light is at its best and the trails are quieter.
Information material and hiking maps are available to all our guests in the apartment, along with personalised suggestions based on what you're looking for.