Val Gardena packs an absurd amount of scenery into a fairly small valley, and after basing myself in Santa Cristina for several days, I feel like I barely scratched the surface, even though I tried to do as much as humanly possible. This is my full rundown of the best things to do in Val Gardena and Ortisei, based on exactly what I did, in the order I’d recommend doing it.
Table of Contents
In a Rush? The Best Things to Do in Val Gardena
If you only have one full day in the valley, I’d tell you to do Seceda in the morning and the Alpe di Siusi at sunset, full stop. Those two alone are the best things to do in Val Gardena and will justify the trip on their own. Everything else on this list is what I’d add if you have two or more days.
Quick Links for Booking Ahead:
Rent a car for the Val di Funes / Alpe di Siusi drives
Seceda cable car ticket – book a timed slot to skip the line
Sassolungo “coffin lift” ticket – for the coffin lift
1. Ride Up to Seceda
Of all the things to do in Val Gardena, this is the one everyone comes for. Seceda is the reason half the internet knows what Val Gardena even is. You take the cable car up from Ortisei (pre-book a timed QR code ticket if you can, it saved me a seriously long line), and within minutes you’re standing above that famous rippling ridge line with Sassolungo in the distance.
I did the 1.6-mile ridge loop trail at the top, and it’s an easy, mostly flat walk that rewards you with a completely different angle every few hundred feet. Lunch at Rifugio Sofie, right at the top, is worth planning around. Their wine cellar is legitimately impressive for a mountain hut, and I had one of the best plates of alpine pasta of the whole trip up there.
2. Hike the Adolf Munkel Trail to Geisler Alm
This one lives in the Val di Funes valley just outside Ortisei, and it’s an easy 45-minute drive from Santa Cristina to the Zannes parking lot. The trail runs right underneath the towering Odle peaks, and I’d rank it as one of the most scenic walks I’ve ever done anywhere in the world.
I hiked it counterclockwise, starting on Trail #6 toward Trail #35, and stopped for lunch at Geisler Alm (also called Rifugio delle Odle) about halfway through. Their Kaiserschmarrn, a shredded caramelized pancake, was incredible, and their giant wooden lounge chairs facing the peaks are basically designed for a post-lunch nap. I looped back down on Trail #36. On the drive out of the valley, pull off for a quick photo at the Church of St. John in Ranui, it’s a two-minute detour that’s absolutely worth it.
For the full trail breakdown, see my Best Hikes in Val Gardena guide.
3. Watch Sunset on the Alpe di Siusi
The Alpe di Siusi is the largest high-alpine meadow in Europe, and going up for golden hour was one of my favorite experiences of the entire Dolomites leg of my trip. Here’s a tip that saved me money and hassle: the access road toll gate stops charging after 5:00 PM, so if you time your drive up right around then, you can park at Compatsch and walk the meadow completely free.
I stopped at Alpina Chalet for a glass of local Gewürztraminer and a board of South Tyrolean speck and alpine cheeses while the light turned the Sassolungo peaks gold, and it might have been the single best hour of the trip.
4. Take the Vintage Coffin Lift
If you’re looking for something a little different, the two-person “coffin lift” up into the rocky cleft of Sassolungo is a fun, slightly odd experience. It’s an open-air, vintage chairlift that squeezes you and one other person through a dramatic mountain gap. When you step off at the top, Rifugio Toni Demetz is right there serving hot espresso and alpine strudel with a view straight through the rock cleft. It’s a great way to spend an hour if you’ve already done Seceda and want something less strenuous.
5. Stroll Ortisei’s Pedestrian Center
Don’t skip actually walking around Ortisei itself. I hopped on the free valley bus one evening after a big hiking day and spent about an hour wandering the pedestrian-only town center. No cars, no parking stress, just cute shopfronts, gelato, and mountain views at every turn. It’s a nice, low-effort way to fill an hour between activities.
6. Photograph the Church of St. John in Ranui
This tiny onion-domed chapel sitting alone in a green meadow with the Odle peaks behind it is one of the most photographed churches in the Dolomites, and for good reason. It’s right along the road out of Val di Funes, so pair it with your Adolf Munkel Trail hike rather than making a separate trip. It’s a quick stop, but it’s one of those things to do in Val Gardena that photographs better than almost anywhere else in the valley.
7. Hike to Malga Cason from the Resciesa Funicular
If you want a quieter alternative to the crowds at Seceda, take the Resciesa funicular out of Ortisei and hike the easy 20-minute alpine walk to Malga Cason. It’s far less busy than the bigger-name spots, which made it feel like a bit of a local secret.
8. Relax at QC Terme Dolomiti
If you hit a rainy afternoon, or your legs just need a break from all the hiking, QC Terme Dolomiti is a massive luxury alpine thermal spa just south of the valley with outdoor heated pools surrounded by mountain peaks. I didn’t get there myself this trip since the weather cooperated, but every local I talked to raved about it, and it’s high on my list for next time.
FAQs About Visiting Val Gardena:
How many days do I need to see the best of Val Gardena?
Two full days covers the highlights (Seceda, Val di Funes, Alpe di Siusi), but I’d recommend three if you want to fit in the rest of the things to do in Val Gardena on this list, like the coffin lift, Resciesa, or a spa afternoon.
Do I need to book cable cars in advance?
Yes, especially for Seceda in peak summer. I pre-booked a timed QR code ticket and it saved me from a very long line.
Is Val Gardena good for non-hikers?
Somewhat. The cable cars and funiculars mean you can access incredible views without much walking, and the Alpe di Siusi meadow is flat and easy. That said, the standout experiences (Adolf Munkel Trail, Seceda ridge) do involve real walking.
Final Thoughts: Best Things to Do in Val Gardena
That’s my full list, but honestly, Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi sunset are the two things to do in Val Gardena I’d never skip, even on the shortest trip. Everything else on this list is what turns a good couple of days into a genuinely great one. Start with the big-name spots, then use whatever time you have left for the quieter ones like Malga Cason and the Ranui church.
More From My Dolomites Trip
Where to base yourself: Is Val Gardena Worth Visiting? My Honest Review | Where to Stay in the Dolomites: Val Gardena vs. Cortina
More Val Gardena: The 5 Best Hikes in Val Gardena, Italy
Cortina & beyond: Lago di Braies: Is It Worth the Hype? | Tre Cime di Lavaredo: The Ultimate Hiking Guide | 6 Best Things to Do in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Plan your trip: How Many Days Do You Need in the Dolomites?
Until next time, happy wanderings!
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