The highest village of Val Gardena, at the foot of the Sella and the Sassolungo, gateway to the Vallunga and the Sellaronda.
A short history
Selva di Val Gardena, Sëlva in Ladin and Wolkenstein in German, closes the valley at 1,563 metres, at the foot of the Sella and the Sassolungo. It is the highest and most sporty village in Val Gardena, a natural starting point for the Sellaronda and for the great peaks that surround it.
The German name, Wolkenstein, comes from the valley's medieval lords: above the village the ruins of their castle survive, perched on the rock. The history of poetry also passed through this family, with the knight and poet Oswald von Wolkenstein.
Behind the built-up area opens the Vallunga, wide and almost flat, gateway to the Puez-Odle Nature Park and one of the most loved walks in the area. All around, the lifts connect Selva to the great Sella lift network.
Oswald von Wolkenstein, born around 1377 and dead in 1445, is the figure who brings prestige to the village. As a boy he lost an eye in a hunting accident, then travelled through Europe and the Near East doing all sorts of jobs, from cook to sailor, and learned ten languages. He is remembered as the last great Minnesänger, the last of the German poet-singers.
The Wolkenstein castle, built at the start of the 12th century below the Stevia wall, collapsed in 1525 and was never rebuilt. The ruins remain, perched on the rock at the mouth of the Vallunga above 1600 metres, the goal of a short walk up.
How to fit Selva di Val Gardena into a three, five or seven day trip: The Dolomites in 3, 5 or 7 Days: How to Plan Your Trip.
What to see
- The Vallunga, the flat valley behind Selva, perfect for a walk in the woods at the foot of the Puez.
- The Sassolungo loop, the ring around the massif that dominates the village.
- The ruins of Wolkenstein castle and the link with the Sellaronda, the famous ski circuit around the Sella group.
How to get to Selva di Val Gardena
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at Chiusa/Val Gardena and climb the SS242 to the head of the valley, past Ortisei and Santa Cristina. From here the road continues towards the Gardena Pass and the Sella Pass. The nearest railway station is Chiusa; from there and from Bolzano the Val Gardena scheduled buses arrive.
When to go
Winter is the strong season: Selva is the gateway to the Sellaronda and one of the most ski-focused spots in the Dolomites. In summer hikes dominate, with the flat Vallunga and the Sassolungo loop. In the shoulder seasons many lifts are closed, so it is worth checking the openings before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Selva di Val Gardena?
The Vallunga with its flat walk, the Sassolungo loop, the ruins of Wolkenstein castle and, in winter, the Sellaronda, the ski circuit around the Sella group that starts right here.
Where is Selva di Val Gardena?
Selva closes Val Gardena at the top, at 1,563 metres, at the foot of the Sella and the Sassolungo. It is the last village in the valley going up from Ortisei and Santa Cristina, towards the Gardena Pass and the Sella Pass.
What is the Sellaronda and does it start from Selva?
The Sellaronda is the ski circuit that runs around the Sella group passing through the four Dolomite passes. Selva is one of the natural starting points of the loop, thanks to the lifts that connect it to the Sella network.
Is the Vallunga good for an easy walk?
Yes. The Vallunga opens behind Selva and is wide and almost flat, inside the Puez-Odle Nature Park. It is one of the easiest and most loved walks in the area, suitable for families too and for anyone wanting a route with no elevation gain.
Who was Oswald von Wolkenstein?
A knight and poet tied to the Selva castle, born around 1377 and dead in 1445. He lost an eye as a boy, travelled through Europe and the Near East doing the most varied jobs and learned ten languages. He is remembered as the last great Minnesänger, the German poet-singers of the Middle Ages.
What to see in Selva beyond skiing?
The ruins of Wolkenstein castle, from the 12th century, at the mouth of the Vallunga, and the Vallunga itself, with its flat walk in the Puez-Odle Nature Park. In summer there is the Sassolungo loop around the massif that dominates the village.