La Val (La Valle, or Wengen depending on the language) is a village that runs against the grain of the trendier mountains. It was the first certified hiking village in South Tyrol and has kept a rural feel of scattered farmsteads, worked slopes and an unhurried pace. From here the path climbs to the Armentara meadows, the Roda de Armentara in Ladin, a protected stretch on the western edge of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, under the walls of Sasso di Santa Croce, which reaches 3,026 metres.
These meadows are known above all for their wildflowers. In early summer nearly two hundred plant species bloom here, from gentians and buttercups to alpine anemones, and that wash of colour is the reason so many people pick this walk. Above the meadows stands the sanctuary of Santa Croce, a pilgrimage site tucked under the cliff. This is Alta Badia at its most peaceful: gentle trails that work for families, big scenery, and the sense of a mountain still tied to farming life and Ladin culture.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Armentara meadows bloom?
The best time is from late spring to early summer, when nearly two hundred species bloom across the meadows, gentians, buttercups and alpine anemones among them, under the walls of Sasso di Santa Croce.
Are the Armentara meadows suitable for a family walk?
Yes. Gentle, scenic trails cross the area and work even for families, set in a pastoral landscape protected by the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. You can also reach the sanctuary of Santa Croce on the way up.