Gardena Pass — Attraction in Pustertal - Val Pusteria

The scenic drive through Gardena Pass connects the towns of Selva di Val Gardena in Val Gardena with Corvara in Val Badia. The entire route is approximately 25 km and can be completed in about an hour without stops, but you’ll likely want to take your time to fully appreciate the scenery and make various stops along the way.

We began our journey in Selva di Val Gardena, a charming alpine village known for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant cultural scene. As we left Selva, we immediately started ascending, and the views began to unfold.

Our scenic drive ended in the picturesque town of Corvara in Val Badia. This village is another gem of the Dolomites, offering a mix of outdoor activities, charming shops, and excellent dining options. It’s worth spending some time exploring Corvara before heading back or continuing your journey.

Here are some key stops we made and would recommend:

Panorama at Dantercepies: Shortly after leaving Selva, you’ll reach Dantercepies, a popular stop with a cable car that offers stunning panoramic views. This is a great spot to stretch your legs, take in the scenery, and even consider a short hike if time allows.

Mountain Peaks and Meadows: As you drive higher, the road winds through lush alpine meadows and past dramatic rock formations. The towering peaks of the Sella Group and Sassolungo become prominent features in the landscape. There are several pull-offs where you can stop to take photos and enjoy the views.

Pass Summit: The summit of Gardena Pass is marked by a small parking area and a couple of mountain huts. Here, you can take a break, enjoy a meal or a drink at one of the huts, and soak in the 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. This is an excellent spot for photos and a great place to appreciate the scale and beauty of the Dolomites.

Descent into Val Badia: As you start descending towards Corvara, the landscape changes subtly. The road meanders through dense forests and past quaint alpine farms. The descent offers different perspectives of the mountains and valleys, making it equally captivating...

Really exceptional: spectacular. Absolutely recommended. Gardena Pass (Italian: Passo Gardena; German: Grödnerjoch; Ladin: Ju de Frara or Jëuf de Frea) is a high mountain pass in the Dolomites of the South Tyrol in northeast Italy. At an elevation of 2,136 m (7,008 ft) above sea level, the pass connects Sëlva in the Val Gardena on the west side with Corvara in the Val Badia. The road over it comprises part of the famous Sella Ring, in which four linked passes (Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, and Campolongo) encircle the spectacular Sella group. The route becomes busy with tourists, motorcyclists, and cyclists during the summer. One of the nicest things about Gardena Pass is the fact that there are accommodations for visitors right on the pass itself. This means not only can you traverse this lovely pass and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding magnificent Dolomite Mountains but you can also stay there. The road over the pass makes up part of the famous Sellaronda and it connects Val Gardena with Val Badia. During the summer there is a lot to do, including hiking, climbing and cycling. You can also walk the local paths said to be home to the Salvan, a mythical little man who lives the forest of Passo Gardena. The area itself is host to a number of intriguing legends that have been passed down for generations by those who call the mighty Dolomites their home. Colder weather brings snow and plenty of opportunity to ski, snowboard and enjoy other winter sports on the...

Passo Gardena is a beautiful high mountain pass in the Dolomites of South Tyrol, northern Italy, situated at an elevation of 2,121–2,136 meters (about 7,000 feet). It connects the Val Gardena (Sëlva) with the Val Badia (Corvara) and forms part of the famous Sella Ronda circuit along with Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi, and Passo Campolongo. The pass road features 19 hairpin bends and offers stunning views of several Dolomite mountain groups, including the Sella Group, Cir Peaks, Sassolungo, and the Fanes Group.

Historically, a road to the pass was built during World War I in 1915, and since the 1960s, it has developed into a popular destination for skiing in winter and hiking, cycling, and mountain biking in summer. Passo Gardena also hosts part of the annual Maratona dles Dolomites, a famous single-day bicycle race. Visitors will find hiking trails, via ferratas, ski lifts, and accommodations around the pass, making it a key spot to experience the scenic beauty and outdoor activities of...