What to do in the Dolomites
Winter in Val Gardena, pure enchantment
Winter in Val Gardena is a season of enchantment. The white mantle that envelopes the mountains and forests draws you into a timeless dimension of pure fascination. At Hotel Stella in Selva, skiers and snowboarders can stay in the fine, welcoming rooms of a modern, elegant hotel while cultivating their passion for winter sports in the most engaging way.
Skiing in Val Gardena
Skier on the slopes of Val Gardena
Lunch on the mountain huts of the Dolomites
Val Gardena has been hosting international competitions since 1970, when the World Ski Championships were held here. Today, 36 kilometres of breath-taking slopes named The Legendary 8 that have made competitive sporting history in the valley are available to winter sports fans:
the perfectly maintained Saslong, Cir, Ciampinoi No. 3, La Romantica, La Prima, La Sensazionale, La Lunga and La Nuova slopes are waiting to challenge your skiing skills! If some slopes are only for skilled, perfectly trained skiers, the joys of the table will delight every palate.
Bales, Gnoch, Turtres and Jufa, or rather dumplings,
potato gnocchi, pancakes stuffed with spinach and ricotta and sweet cream of warm milk: traditional Ladin cuisine inspires with its strong flavours, the succulence of its meats and the delicacy of its desserts - honest and joyful like the people of this happy corner of South Tyrol. In winter, there’s no shortage of interesting shopping opportunities in Selva di Val Gardena. There are boutiques for those who want to indulge in the latest trends, while sports lovers will appreciate the best selection of equipment and high-tech clothing. Between skis and snowboards, suits and accessories, you’ll find the latest items in performance and fashion, including on the slopes. There’s no shortage of shops selling traditional culinary specialities, spirits and liqueurs that will remind you of your holiday in the mountains once you're back home: these are excellent gifts for yourself or others, drawing also from the traditional craftsmanship in wood and fabrics such as wool.
Summer in Val Gardena, a triumph of vitality
Summer in Val Gardena is the time to fully enjoy long days of fun, sport, relaxation and unique experiences. The spectacular scenery of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, the many attractions that nature puts at our disposal and what mankind has achieved through ingenuity and skill leave guests of Hotel Stella spoiled for choice. Every summer is unique and exceptional in Val Gardena.
Sunrise on Seceda
Mountain bike tour in Val Gardena
Children at the lake Lech Sant
Trekking lovers and families with small children will be seduced by the Vallunga valley.
This green oasis covers approximately 10,722 hectares surrounded by majestic peaks, and is located in the heart of the Puez Odle nature park.
This green oasis covers approximately 10,722 hectares surrounded by majestic peaks, and is located in the heart of the Puez Odle nature park.
Criss-crossed by numerous trails to explore, whether on foot and with a stroller or by bicycle, the Vallunga valley is the starting point for challenging treks. However, there are also plenty of gentle pastures and fragrant mountain pine woods.
This idyllic valley, which is also accessible in winter with snowshoes,
is located a short distance from Hotel Stella in Selva di Val Gardena, so we always suggest it to our guests during a summer holiday in the mountains.
For cyclists who want to explore Val Gardena on two wheels, this corner of paradise has been declared an “Approved Bike Area” by the specialist site Mountain Bike Holidays: with 22 marked itineraries over a total length of 600 kilometres, the title is more that deserved!
Climbs of different difficulty levels, breath-taking descents and spectacular views will remain among your most cherished memories, whether you’re a downhill enthusiast or a lover of quiet bike rides under the sun, caressed by the crisp mountain air. Take an e-bike if you prefer: it’s just as impressive but with a little less effort. There are various e-bike rentals and shops that you can turn to for every need close to Hotel Stella in the centre of Selva di Val Gardena. There is no shortage of mountain bike schools if you want to improve your technique, and guides who will take you on the most beautiful tours to admire the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site
For cyclists who want to explore Val Gardena on two wheels, this corner of paradise has been declared an “Approved Bike Area” by the specialist site Mountain Bike Holidays: with 22 marked itineraries over a total length of 600 kilometres, the title is more that deserved!
Climbs of different difficulty levels, breath-taking descents and spectacular views will remain among your most cherished memories, whether you’re a downhill enthusiast or a lover of quiet bike rides under the sun, caressed by the crisp mountain air. Take an e-bike if you prefer: it’s just as impressive but with a little less effort. There are various e-bike rentals and shops that you can turn to for every need close to Hotel Stella in the centre of Selva di Val Gardena. There is no shortage of mountain bike schools if you want to improve your technique, and guides who will take you on the most beautiful tours to admire the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site
Castel Tirolo
Lake Braies
Lake Carezza
Discover the region's chivalric past on a summer holiday in Val Gardena. There are a good 800 medieval castles perched on more or less rugged slopes in South Tyrol, which continue to defend the region's illustrious past.
Their insurmountable walls, high towers, drawbridges and elegant battlements have maintained their charm over the centuries. The ruins of Castel Wolkenstein, which, it is said, hosted Oswald von Wolkenstein, one of the most important troubadours and composers of the Middle Ages, are a must for guests of Hotel Stella.
The imposing Castel Gardena, which rises between
Selva di Val Gardena and Santa Cristina, is worth a visit – even if only from the outside, since it is inhabited by the owners. In nearby Ortisei there are the ruins of Castel Stetteneck, which were discovered in 2000 thanks to clues in the book “Saghe dell'Alto Adige” by Karl Felix Wolff.
Lakes mirror the sky and the mountains – natural paintings with a unique fascination. Lake Carezza in the upper part of Val d'Ega can be reached in just over an hour: its iridescent waters inspired the legend of the nymph Ondina. This masterpiece of nature deserves to be admired in all seasons.
The waters of the impressive Lake Braies are among the deepest in South Tyrol. As with Lake Carezza, a legend is also bound up with Pragser Wildsee, which describes the lake as the gateway to the mythical kingdom of the Fanes.
Lake Caldaro is one of the largest in South Tyrol, as well as being the warmest in the entire Alps. It's a great place to take a relaxing swim, for wind surfing, sun bathing and pleasant refreshment in bars where you can enjoy an aperitif in complete relaxation.
Lakes mirror the sky and the mountains – natural paintings with a unique fascination. Lake Carezza in the upper part of Val d'Ega can be reached in just over an hour: its iridescent waters inspired the legend of the nymph Ondina. This masterpiece of nature deserves to be admired in all seasons.
The waters of the impressive Lake Braies are among the deepest in South Tyrol. As with Lake Carezza, a legend is also bound up with Pragser Wildsee, which describes the lake as the gateway to the mythical kingdom of the Fanes.
Lake Caldaro is one of the largest in South Tyrol, as well as being the warmest in the entire Alps. It's a great place to take a relaxing swim, for wind surfing, sun bathing and pleasant refreshment in bars where you can enjoy an aperitif in complete relaxation.
Autumn in Val Gardena, red and gold
Hotel Stella in Selva is the perfect place for a holiday or even just an autumn weekend in Val Gardena. The rooms and suites furnished with fine, exquisite materials are the ideal counterpoint to the elegance of the autumn landscape. The slow, graceful rhythm of autumn sets the pace for the guests of our hotel in Val Gardena. The still many hours of daylight mean you can walk along trails that are now less frequented; the silence that dominates the valley infuses peace; red, brown and gold embellish the valley.
Walk on the Alpe di Siusi in autumn
Cycling in the Dolomites in autumn
Iceman - Oetzi
Those who like the slower pace of autumn will appreciate the cultural offerings of Val Gardena. Castel Trostburg in Ponte Gardena, home to the museum of the South Tyrolean castles and embellished with a
Gothic Stube with a trefoil vault, late Gothic frescoes, a finely decorated chapel and one of the most beautiful Renaissance rooms in the region, is a must.
The Val Gardena Museum - Museum Gherdëina in the
centre of Ortisei is also not to be missed, and offers an insight into local Ladin culture. Various rooms dedicated to sculpture, local craftsmanship and the ancient art of carving bear witness to the talents of the inhabitants of the valley, their history and their traditions. The section dedicated to the Dolomites, their formation and history, and the section dedicated to the prehistory of Val Gardena should be “studied carefully”. The Tublà da Nives cultural centre in the heart of Selva di Val Gardena is a multifunctional, modern space of particular architectural value. The programme, curated and managed by the eponymous association, includes concerts, art and scientific and historical themed exhibitions, as well as conferences and screenings. It's a lively enterprise, and without a doubt of particular interest.
Outside the valley, throughout the province of Bolzano and in nearby Trentino, there are many opportunities for those who want to spend an autumn in Val Gardena to enjoy nature and culture. In nearby Bolzano alone, it is certainly worth mentioning the Archaeological Museum of South Tyrol, which houses Ötzi, the famous glacial mummy found in 1991 in the Val Senales glacier and dating back to 5300 years ago.
Outside the valley, throughout the province of Bolzano and in nearby Trentino, there are many opportunities for those who want to spend an autumn in Val Gardena to enjoy nature and culture. In nearby Bolzano alone, it is certainly worth mentioning the Archaeological Museum of South Tyrol, which houses Ötzi, the famous glacial mummy found in 1991 in the Val Senales glacier and dating back to 5300 years ago.