Wolkenstein - Selva

Not far from the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, Selva Gardena is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Val Gardena in winter and in summer. 

The small mountain village Selva di Val Gardena, in the province of Bolzano, lies in the midst of the charming Dolomite landscape, nestled between the Puez and Sella groups and the mountain massifs of the Lang and Plattkofel. Located at an altitude of 1500 m, Selva Gardena is the second largest municipality in Val Gardena and an indispensable destination for all those who want to experience the mountain in winter. The place is characterized not only by old traditions, songs and customs, but also by its own culture and language, Ladin. The use of this alpine language has only been preserved in a few Italian regions, including the Val Gardena and the Badia Valley in South Tyrol, as well as in some areas of Trentino and Veneto. 

Today Selva Gardena is a popular tourist destination that welcomes more than 1 million people in the winter season alone. Thanks to its location in the heart of the Sellaronda ski area with its famous four-pass tour and perfect connections to the ski lifts of the Alpe di Siusi and the ski carousel Dolomiti Superski, the small village attracts numerous ski, snowboard and ski tour enthusiasts every year. After an eventful winter day you can have fun in one of the many après-ski, which offer refreshment and musical entertainment in a funny ambience starting in the late afternoon, and celebrate with friends. Also in the winter time you should not miss the snow sculptures created by local artists between Christmas and New Year's Eve and exhibited in the park of the small village. 

An interesting historical landmark is the castle ruin Wolkenstein, which is located in a crevice of the Monte Stevia at the entrance of the Langental. Of the former residence of Tyrolean noble families, only part of the walls of the old fortress has survived today. Not far away is the small St. Silvester church, in which impressive frescoes can be admired. A few kilometres from Selva Gardena we find the Fischburg castle, which was built in 1641 by the Counts of Selva Gardena. It is a truly unique building. It was the only building in the area until the beginning of the 20th century, and only later did construction of the first houses begin. There are also two important passes in the area: the Val Gardena Pass, which leads to the Val Badia, and the Sella Pass, which leads to the Val di Fassa in Trentino. In summer Selva Gardena is popular for its endless hiking trails where you can spend unforgettable days in close contact with nature. It is also the ideal destination for quiet walks, for lovers of more demanding tours and breathtaking climbing trails, as well as Nordic walking and adventures by mountain bike.