If you want to find Val Badia on an atlas, you first need to find Italy – something rather easy to do since it has that peculiar boot shape smack in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Look in the North, just farther up from Venice and Belluno, a bit left from Cortina d’Ampezzo – there! That’s exactly where Val Badia is!
Not much of a help? Well, then, just take a look at the map on the side here and click to zoom in directly on Google maps.
A closer look at Val Badia
Val Badia is one of the four Ladin valleys that branch off from the heart of the Dolomites – the Sella Massif – stretching in all four cardinal directions. Of these four valleys, Val Badia is the longest and the one farthest north. The area’s main access point is slightly south of the village of St. Lorenzen (San Lorenzo di Sebato), located in the center of the Puster Valley (Val Pusteria), not too far from the town of Bruneck.
The valley is easily accessible through the Dolomite passes in summer and in winter, although winter tires are highly recommended for safe transportation along the snow-covered mountain roads in winter.
Val Badia has 14 towns, including San Martino in Badia, Longiarù, Antermoia, Rina, and Longega, as well as two hamlets in the neighboring valley of Marebbe – San Vigilio and Pieve di Marebbe – that are incorporated in the “Plan de Corones” tourist circuit.
Instead, the now famous and prestigious tourist resort of “Alta Badia” includes tourist spots in the upper part of Val Badia: La Valle, Badia, La Villa, San Cassiano, Corvara, and Colfosco.
The Dolomites are easy to reach from all directions thanks to several major European main roads such as the Brennero motorway and the Alemagna state road, and a well-developed network of internal roads that connect the Dolomite valleys to one another and to the numerous neighboring hamlets.
If you don’t have a car, there are many public and private transportation options that will easily take you to your destination in Val Badia and in the Dolomites. Holimites will help you plan your trip and take care of all the details – from airfares to airport transfers – so that you reach your destination safely and quickly.
The easiest way to reach Val Badia is Provincial Road SP 244, that branches off south from the Val Pusteria “Strada del Sole” at San Lorenzo di Sebato. Once you leave Val Pusteria and you get onto the Val Badia road, the road ascends slightly through a kind of gorge. You go through 5 tunnels – roughly 10 km – before reaching the hamlet of Longega. The towns of San Vigilio and Pieve di Marebbe are located close by. If you continue on the main road, you fist reach San Martino in Badia and then the other towns in Alta Badia: La Valle, Badia, La Villa, San Cassiano, Corvara, and Colfosco.
Val Badia can also be easily reached through the Falzarego and the Valparola Mountain Passes if you’re driving up from Cadore and Cortina d’Ampezzo, through the Campolongo Pass if you’re driving up the road that goes from Agordo to Alleghe and the Livinallongo Valley, or through the Gardena Pass if you plan to take the quickest route by driving on the road that from Chiusa goes up Val Gardena to Corvara.
Whether you choose to reach Alta Badia by car or another form of transportation, Holimites is your ideal partner. We can offer advice and find the best solution for your needs, depending on your point of departure and destination.
Here are some links that will no doubt help you decide on how to get to Val Badia and facilitate your travel plans.
By car
We recommend that you use the Google Maps “route planner” so that you find the route that is best for you.
Important: Between November 15 and April 15, all vehicles circulating on the Dolomite road network must have snow tires or snow chains (mounted or equipped).
By train
Visit the Trenitalia website for Italian train timetables. The nearest train station is Brunico/Bruneck. From this train station, there is a regular bus service to Val Badia.
By plane
The nearest airports are Bolzano (80 km), Innsbruck (127 km), Treviso (170 km), Venice (180 km), Verona (230 km), Milan Linate (360 km), and Milan Malpensa (390 km).
By bus
Click here for SAD local bus service timetables. There are also low-cost airport transfers from the Treviso, Venice, and Bergamo airports. Contact us for further information and fees.
Getting around
A few decades ago, getting around in the mountains could sometimes be an arduous task because of weather and/or road conditions. These problems are now a thing of the past. Even if you decide not to use your own car, moving from one town or from one valley to another is almost as easy as taking a city subway: the area features improved public and private transportation services, as well as the excellent services of an extensive ski-lift connection network that operates in both winter and summer.
To reach summer’s most beautiful destinations in Val Badia using the uphill lift systems, make sure to get the Alta Badia Mountain Pass or the Plan de Corones Ticket.
The Dolomites are home to an ever-increasing number of events. The magnificent background is particularly attractive for major sporting events broadcasted on television, but it offers something special to participants, as well.
Among the winter sporting events, Val Badia has a long tradition of hosting the FIS Ski World Cup circuit race on the “Gran Risa”: a difficult, technically challenging, and rewarding ski slope that adapts well to hosting both giant and special slalom races.
In ski touring disciplines, the ski competition by night around the Sella Massif, the well-known “Sellaronda Skimarathon”.
The “Maratona dles Dolomites” is the most prestigious summer sporting event, attracting numerous cyclists and international enthusiasm. It is the only Italian cycling marathon (granfondo) that receives several hours of live coverage on national television networks. The “Maratona dles Dolomites” was initially the idea of cycling enthusiasts in Val Badia and, since its first edition in 1987 with 166 contestants, it boasted 9,500 competitors in 2012; there’s no need to point out the extraordinary nature of the event, considering that more than 30,000 requests to participate were declined due to safety concerns along the route.
Other cycling competitions similar to the famous “Maratona dles Dolomites” have also sprung up, such as the very successful “Sellaronda Hero”, an MTB race around the Sella Massif that starts and ends in Selva di Val Gardena.
The Sellaronda Bike Day and the Dolomites Bike Day events are a must for all cycling enthusiasts – bicycle tourists, amateurs, and professional competitors alike. The events take place on two different days when all the roads on the world-famous Dolomite passes are closed to all motorized traffic and reserved only for cyclists.
Holimites is a tour operator specializing in sports activities and events in the Dolomites. It is the ideal partner for finding the information you need in real-time. Holimites can also help you find rooms and accommodations during peak periods like the events mentioned here when it is most difficult to find lodgings curtailed to your individual needs.
If you’re considering participating in any of these events, contact us: we’ll provide all the help you need to make your visit to Val Badia truly unforgettable!
Have a look also at our road bike packages.
The Dolomites, also known as the “Pale Mountains”, are a spectacular mountain range located in the northern Italian Alps. They extend across the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, particularly within the provinces of Belluno, Bolzano, Trento, Udine, and Pordenone.
Famous worldwide for their towering peaks, distinctive light-coloured dolomite rock, and breathtaking landscapes, the Dolomites offer unique scenery in every season, especially at sunset when the mountains are illuminated in shades of pink and orange.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites are a true paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts: hikers, skiers, climbers, and cyclists will find an incredible variety of trails and experiences in one of the most spectacular alpine environments in the world.
The main tourist destinations in the Dolomites are easily accessible from Venice and Innsbruck airports, with an average driving time of around 2.5 hours, depending on the specific destination.
Alternatively, it is also possible to reach the area by train or bus, connecting major cities in Northern Italy and Austria with the Dolomite valleys.
At Holimites, we are happy to help you plan your journey in the most convenient way according to your needs: we can arrange private transfers or suggest the best options by taxi, bus, or train, ensuring a smooth, stress-free arrival and a well-organised start to your holiday.
Absolutely yes—and it is often one of the best ways to experience the Dolomites in a more authentic and sustainable way!
Most areas are well connected by an efficient network of trains and buses, with frequent connections from key gateway towns such as Bolzano, Bressanone, Brunico, and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This makes it easy to travel between valleys and villages without the need for a private car.
In addition, many accommodations include the Südtirol Guest Pass, which allows free use of public transport throughout the region, making travel even easier and more convenient.
And don’t forget: the Dolomites are perfect for slow travel as well—on foot or by bike—allowing you to fully immerse yourself in their natural beauty in every season.
The Dolomites are not only a natural paradise but also one of Europe’s most fascinating multilingual regions, shaped by a strong cultural identity.
At the heart of the area, particularly in the valleys surrounding the Sella Massif, people still speak Ladin, an ancient Rhaeto-Romance language of Alpine origin. It is a living language used in daily life in valleys such as Val Badia, Val Gardena, Livinallongo, Val di Fassa, and Ampezzo, where local traditions and culture remain deeply rooted.
Overall, the Dolomites are a truly multilingual region: German is the main language in the northern and northwestern areas, while Italian is widely spoken in the southern parts. This linguistic coexistence reflects the rich history and unique cultural identity of the region.
And yes—at Holimites, we also speak Ladin!
The Dolomites are a year-round destination, and the best time to visit really depends on the type of experience you are looking for.
Summer and early autumn (June to October) are ideal for hiking, trekking, cycling, climbing, and enjoying long days with clear skies and breathtaking panoramic views of the peaks. It is the perfect season to explore trails, mountain huts, and alpine landscapes at their best.
Winter (December to March) transforms the Dolomites into a true snowy paradise, perfect for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and relaxing stays in cosy mountain lodges, surrounded by a magical and peaceful atmosphere.
Each season offers completely different landscapes, emotions, and activities, making the Dolomites a unique destination all year round, easily adaptable to every traveller’s interests.
