Hiking in Val Gardena from the hotel

From Hotel Touring in the centre of Santa Cristina, Val Gardena, hikes for every level start at the door or after a short lift or bus ride. Here are six routes, from a pushchair walk to the Sassolungo, with tips for families and cyclists.

Good to know before you set off

The Monte Pana chairlift is 150 m from the hotel; the Col Raiser gondola is a 15-minute walk or 2 minutes by bus.
The Val Gardena Mobil Card is included in your stay, so buses and trains need no extra ticket.
The Val Gardena Active programme offers guided hikes, free or at a reduced price for hotel guests.
In summer the lifts usually run from late May or June into the autumn, some only in high summer; the operators publish the current times. Check the weather and trail conditions before you go.

Easy and for families

Hikers reading a map in the mountains of Val Gardena

Easy and for families

1. The Val Gardena railway trail. The path follows the line of the First World War railway from Santa Cristina to Ortisei: about 3.5 km on the old track bed, about 1.5 hours. It is almost flat and easy with a pushchair. In Santa Cristina you walk through the restored railway tunnel, and an old steam locomotive stands at the former Ortisei station. Take the bus back.

2. Monte Pana - Saltria. Take the Monte Pana chairlift up to the plateau (1,600 to 1,800 m), then follow forest road no. 30, closed to cars, to Saltria on the Alpe di Siusi, with views of the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto. Returning on trail 30A, it is about 12 km, a little over 3.5 hours and about 380 m of ascent and descent. For a shorter loop, turn onto trail 531 after about 2.6 km.

3. Col Raiser - Regensburger Hütte. From the Col Raiser top station (about 2,100 m), trail 4 crosses the pastures to the Regensburger Hütte (Rifugio Firenze, 2,037 m) below the Odle peaks. About 1 hour there and back. The hut is being rebuilt and is closed for now; for a break, the Col Raiser hut at the top station is close by.

4. Into the Vallunga. From Selva, reached by bus, the path leads into the Vallunga valley. Right at the start stands the chapel of San Silvestro with its old frescoes; further in, the Puez-Odle Nature Park begins. About 5 km and 2.5 hours there and back, with about 200 m of ascent; easy and good with children.

For days with children: two public playgrounds are a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and the heated rooftop pool at 32 °C is open to children too, daily from 14:00 to 20:00.

Moderate and long

5. The Seceda loop from Col Raiser. Col Raiser - Regensburger Hütte - Lake Iman - Troier hut - Seceda summit cross (2,519 m), returning past the Fermeda and Odles huts. 9.7 km, about 3 hours 20 minutes, 484 m of ascent, trails 4, 1, 1A, 2 and 4A. Moderate; one short steep stretch needs sure footing.

6. Around the Sassolungo. The circuit of the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto is about 17 to 18 km long and takes 5 to 7 hours. It begins at the Sella Pass, reached in summer by local bus, and passes the Comici hut and the Alpe di Siusi. Not technical, but long: for fit, experienced hikers.

Cycling in Val Gardena

For guests who come with a bike, or are looking for a bike hotel in Val Gardena, the hotel has a bike room with tools and a bike wash. Our partners Bike Armin and Bike Adolf rent and service bikes, with benefits for hotel guests. Three tips:

The Rodaval cycle path: about 10 km from Roncadizza via Ortisei and Santa Cristina to Plan in Selva, mostly asphalt, ideal for beginners and families. Between Santa Cristina and La Poza in Selva, the link currently runs along the old railway line.
Monte Pana and the Alpe di Siusi: from Monte Pana on forest roads down to Saltria on the Alpe di Siusi.
Sellaronda MTB: the circuit around the Sella by mountain bike, about 60 km, moderate to hard. Lifts that carry bikes help on the climbs. The route is usually open from mid-June to late September.

Many lifts in Val Gardena carry bikes. Off-road, ride only on trails marked for bikes.

Mountain biking from Hotel Touring

Frequently asked questions

Which hike from Santa Cristina suits children? The railway trail, almost flat and fine with a pushchair, and the Vallunga with the chapel of San Silvestro.

Do I need a car for hiking in Val Gardena? No. You reach the lifts on foot or by bus, and the Val Gardena Mobil Card for buses and trains is included.

How long is the hike to Seceda? The loop from Col Raiser takes about 3 hours 20 minutes, for 9.7 km and 484 m of ascent.

Is Hotel Touring set up for cyclists? Yes: a bike room with tools, a bike wash and the partners Bike Armin and Bike Adolf, with benefits for hotel guests.

Your summer base in Santa Cristina

Hotel Touring is a family-run 4-star hotel in the centre of Santa Cristina, Val Gardena. Read more about hiking, cycling, family holidays and the location. More answers are in our questions and answers. Take a look at the rooms and offers; we answer every request personally.