A place full of surprises Dolomites, Alta Badia
Alta Badia has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009; this covers an area of the Dolomites, one of the most impressive mountain groups in the Alps. The famous French architect Le Corbusier (1887 - 1965) called them "the most beautiful work of architecture in the world". The Dolomites include many exceptional peaks for hikers and climbers to explore.
Alta Badia is right in the centre of the Dolomites, and so an ideal starting point for exploring this mountain world.
The highest peak is the Marmolada at an altitude of 3342 metres. Other famous peaks or massifs are the Tre Cime (Three Peaks), the Sella Group, the Catinaccio, the Sciliar and the Odle Group, clearly visible from Hotel La Majun.
Val Badia Val Badia in the Dolomites
The Val Badia (Gadertal in German) extends for 16 km, and is packed with extraordinary natural and cultural treasures. The area at the southern end of the valley is known as Alta Badia.
The Val Badia is known as the cradle of Ladin culture; the valley is surrounded by imposing massifs such as the Sasso di Santa Croce (Heiligkreuzkofel) at 2908 m, the Lagazuoi (2778 m) and the Piz Boè (3152 m). These peaks kept the local people cut off from outside influences for a very long time, favouring the development of a language and lifestyle that are still unique to this area.
At the end of the 19th century, the first mountaineers arrived in this remote Dolomite valley, which has since seen the development of soft tourism.
This area of the Dolomites became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009; the areas on the southwestern slopes of the Val Badia also have protected status as the Puez-Odle Nature Park, and parts of the southeastern slopes have similar protection as the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. There are six villages at the bottom of the valley (Corvara, Colfosco, La Villa, San Cassiano, Badia and La Val), each with its own character and history, making Alta Badia the most authentic and original area of the Dolomites.
Alta Badia Sellaronda
The Sellaronda circuit around the Sella group is one of the most renowned of its kind in the Alps, offering many wonderful opportunities for both sports enthusiasts and nature lovers.
In winter, you can ski on these amazing slopes or watch exciting ski mountaineering competitions, while in summer you can travel around the Sella group on foot, by bike or by mountain bike.
For fans of cycling in particular, the Sellaronda hosts some legendary summer events. They include the Maratona dles Dolomites, a race involving seven passes, and Sellaronda Bike Day, when the passes around the Sella group are closed to motorised traffic.
Special events and individual excursions: the Sellaronda has something for all mountain-lovers.
