Grödnertal

Grödnertal, known in Italian as Val Gardena and in Ladin as Gherdëina, is a valley in the Dolomites of South Tyrol, northern Italy. It lies within the autonomous province of Bolzano and is home to German-, Italian-, and Ladin-speaking communities. The valley runs roughly north to south and is surrounded by prominent Dolomite peaks such as the Langkofel/Sassolungo, the Sella group, and the Seceda massif. The main settlements along the valley floor are Ortisei (Urtijëi), Santa Cristina (Santa Cristina Val Gardena), and Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein), connected by road networks that link to surrounding valleys.

Grödnertal is a major year-round tourist destination. In winter it forms part of the Dolomiti Superski area and serves as a hub for the Sella Ronda circuit, with extensive lift systems and pistes accessible from the valley towns. In summer the region attracts hikers, climbers, and via ferrata enthusiasts. The local economy is heavily oriented toward tourism, hospitality, and crafts. The valley has a long tradition of woodcarving, and many studios produce sculptures and decorative works.

Culturally, the region preserves Ladin heritage alongside German and Italian influences, reflected in multilingual signage and local traditions. The Dolomites, including the Grödnertal surroundings, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 for their distinctive geological formations and striking alpine landscape.