Val Gardena

This was another day with our private guide, Paolo Gelmo, of Oiden Tour. Our mission was to traverse several of the passes through the Val Gardena area of the Dolomites.

The first stop was Carezza Lake.

On our way to Pordoi Pass, we spotted another hanglider cruising over the peaks!

The next stop was Pordoi Pass at an altitude of 7,346 feet. The drive to it is considered to be one of the most scenic in the Dolomites with 28 hairpin bends. I am sure glad Paolo did the driving!We stopped and took the cable car to the top of Sass Pordoi, 9,678 feet,  for a scenic overlook of the valley.

The next stop was Campolongo Pass at 6,152 feet.

The next stop was the village of Corvara in Badia is located at 5144 feet at the foot of the Sassongher mountain massif.

The stop was Gardena Pass at 7,008 feet.

This is the Benedictine Church of Saint Maurice at the Monastery Major that was started in 1503.

The final stop was the village of Ortisei.

It is considered to be the international center of wood carving. FIS World Cup skiing annually takes place in the area.

This last image is of an old convent in the hills as we drove back to Bolzano.

Enjoy life!