La Val — La Valle, or Wengen depending on the language — is a village that goes against the grain of the more fashionable mountains. It was the first certified hiking village in South Tyrol and has preserved a rural character of scattered farmsteads, cultivated slopes and unhurried rhythms. From here the path climbs to the Armentara meadows, the Roda de Armentara in Ladin, a protected expanse on the western edge of Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, beneath the walls of Sasso di Santa Croce, which reaches 3,026 metres.
These meadows are famous above all for their wildflowers: in early summer nearly two hundred plant species bloom here, from gentians and buttercups to alpine anemones, in a palette of colour that is the reason so many visitors choose this walk. Above the meadows stands the sanctuary of Santa Croce, a pilgrimage site tucked under the cliff face. This is Alta Badia at its most contemplative: gentle trails suitable for families, imposing scenery and a sense of a mountain still bound 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 different species bloom across the meadows — including gentians, buttercups and alpine anemones — beneath the walls of Sasso di Santa Croce.
Are the Armentara meadows suitable for a family walk?
Yes, the area is crossed by gentle, panoramic trails accessible even to families, set within a pastoral landscape protected by Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. The sanctuary of Santa Croce can also be reached on the way up.