At the foot of Sasso di Santa Croce
From over 2000 m, where stands the sanctuary of Santa Croce, the panorama is one of those that take your breath away. On the background – the imposing peak of Sass dla Crusc with its dizzy climbing routes. In front of you – the magnificent view over the Badia valley, framed with the austere mountain crests. The sanctuary can be reached from Badia through a network of trails that pass by farms, mountain dairies, pastures, lakes, forests and even by the birthplace of Saint Giuseppe Frenademez in Oies. The chairlifts Santa Croce and La Crusc facilitate the ascent (mountain bike transportation is also allowed). On top, in addition to the graceful little church and to the mountain refuge, you can also visit the Snow Grotto and go for a walk to the Armentara meadows, famous for the variety of its multi-coloured flowers.
Among the peaks of Puez-Odle
Steep trail number 1 climbs from Badia to the rocky walls of the Gardenaccia massif (a gentler ascent is available in La Villa). As soon as you reach the plateau, you can choose from a wide range of itineraries, from conquering the "curled" Sassongher to the hikes towards Puez, with the possibility to reach Colfosco or even Val Gardena.
La Val - The land of hiking
Another destination that deserves a visit is the village of La Val, a real hiking paradise, certified by the project "European hiking villages" as the Land of hiking. Here you can experience the most close contacts with the splendid nature of the Dolomites: larch woods, flowered Rit meadows and traditional Ladin "viles", typical rural settlements, true testimonies of the past. Even in winter, it's a perfect place for those who are looking for tranquillity and untouched landscapes. No mountain lifts, no skiers rushing down from the slopes, but a giant immaculate snow blanket. Sparkling, soft, incredibly white, ideal for snowshoeing and ski mountaineering.
South Tyrolean towns
Christmas markets, Krampus parades, festivities, concerts, exhibitions or just relaxing walks in the historical centres and numerous opportunities for shopping – there are so many reasons to visit the South Tyrolean towns. The nearest one is Bruneck/Brunico, reachable in just 30 minutes by car. Brixen/Bressanone and Toblach/Dobbiaco are both about 55 km away from Badia. The capital of South Tyrol, Bozen/Bolzano as well as the nearby town of Meran/Merano with its famous thermal baths and renowned Trauttmansdorff gardens require a 1.5 – 2 hours' drive, but they are really worth seeing, especially in spring, summer and autumn.
