Heart of the Dolomites

Your driver meets you in Bolzano — the city thinning out behind you as the road climbs into Val Gardena. The first act of this journey is the drive itself: switchbacks opening onto the first sightlines of the Odle peaks, the valley narrowing until Ortisei appears, tucked against the mountainside.

Check in, then let the evening be unstructured. A short walk through town is enough — Ortisei doesn't need to be worked through, only entered.

Evening in Ortisei: Stube Vives, a short walk from the hotel, serves Alpine cuisine reworked with a lighter hand than the region's usual heft. A good first-night meal — grounding, not heavy, ahead of tomorrow's full trail day.

The cable car lifts you out of the valley floor in minutes; the trail begins where the lift ends. From the top of Seceda, the ground opens into alpine meadow, and the Odle and Geisler Peaks — jagged, almost architectural — rise directly ahead. This is the view the whole region is judged against.

The descent moves through forest and open pasture to Pieralongia, then down to Rifugio Firenze at 2,039 meters — the kind of mountain hut where lunch is simple, the terrace is unbeaten, and there's no reason to hurry the meal. From there, the cable car carries you back down to Ortisei, legs tired in the specific, satisfying way that only a full day above 2,000 meters produces.

Difficulty level: Medium-Difficult
Distance: 12 km
Duration: 5 hours
Elevation gain: 600 m ascent

Evening in Ortisei: Tonight is yours. Wander into town, follow your appetite, and let the evening take whatever shape you want after a day like today.

Get ready for an exciting yet relaxed adventure as you explore the stunning Val Gardena Valley on an easy E-Bike tour designed for beginners. After meeting your guide in Ortisei, you’ll set off on a scenic ride along an asphalt road toward San Giacomo, then follow a panoramic gravel trail that leads you to Runcaudie in St. Christina.

From there, enjoy a gentle downhill ride through St. Christina, all the way to the Col Raiser Cable Car. Just before Selva, you’ll cross the river and glide along a smooth trail to Monte Pana. Finish the ride with a relaxed return to Ortisei, taking in beautiful views along the way on a cycle path and asphalt roads.

After the tour, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace, soaking in the beauty of the Dolomites or relaxing in the charming town of Ortisei.

Difficulty level: Easy
Distance: 25 km
Duration: 2.5 hours
Elevation gain: 500 m ascent

Evening in Ortisei: Restaurant Anna Stuben — one of South Tyrol's most celebrated kitchens, worth booking ahead. This is the meal to save for the night your legs have earned it.

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace amidst the stunning Dolomite mountains. Whether you want to embark on a scenic hike or take a relaxing ride through the alpine landscapes, we’re here to help make the most of your day. Let us know if you’d like recommendations for hiking trails or need assistance with e-bike rentals to explore the region.

Recommended Hike: Adolf Munkel Trail

The recommended route is the Adolf Munkel Trail in Val di Funes, a short drive from Ortisei. Where Seceda put you above the Odle and Geisler peaks looking out across them, this trail runs along their base — the same spires now rising directly overhead, close enough that the scale registers differently. The path moves through larch forest and open pasture, with Rifugio Geisleralm and Malga Brogles offering the same unhurried hut-lunch pace as Rifugio Firenze on day 2, and considerably fewer crowds than the valley's more popular routes.

Difficulty level: Easy–Medium
Distance: 9 km
Duration: 3–4 hours
Elevation gain: 300 m

Breakfast, then the drive back down to Bolzano — the valley opening out in reverse, the Dolomites receding in the mirror rather than the windshield. A quiet close to a trip built around effort and its aftermath in equal measure.