If your kind of hiking is the kind that ends with a spa treatment or gourmet meal, Val Gardena-Gröden in the Italian Dolomites is the ideal spot for you. Located in South Tyrol – Italy's northernmost province and the only place in the country with three dialects: German, Italian and Ladin, an ancient language from Latin descent – Val Gardena-Gröden is a picturesque valley backed by the soaring Dolomites, peaks so attractive they were once described by French architect Le Corbusier as "the most beautiful construction in the world". This is a region which practically begs you to strap on your walking boots and get outside, especially when you consider there are more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
Val Gardena-Gröden has hikes for all levels of fitness or inclination, from the keen mountaineer to the bordering-on-lazy rambler. For a leisurely amble, pick up a walking map from the tourist office and discover relaxed walks past churches, waterfalls and fine views over the surrounding countryside, all starting from the small villages of Ortisei-St. Ulrich, S. Cristina-St. Christina or Selva Gardena-Wolkenstein.
If you fancy something more educational, join a guided walk. Run in summer, these structured walks are led by local guides who can provide an informative run-down of the area's indigenous flora and fauna.
If you're feeling adventurous, there are numerous mountain trails to try. For a moderately challenging hike, take the cable car up from Ortisei-St. Ulrich to Mont Seuc and cross the Alpe di Siusi-Seiseralm alpine meadow to Monte Pana, enjoying the panoramic views before descending to Santa Cristina, again by cable car.
Once you've worked up an alpine appetite, head to local foodies favourite Anna Stuben in Ortisei-St. Ulrich. This gourmet restaurant is furnished with traditional yet stylish Tyrolean pine and fir and offers sophisticated cuisine. Chef Armin Mairhofer uses top-quality seasonal ingredients and local produce wherever possible, and his unending passion for seeking new flavours has earned him a Michelin star.
If the soothing of your weary limbs demands a more holistic approach, treat your body to a traditional South Tyrolean hay bath. This centuries-old treatment involves being cocooned in a bath of warm, damp hay and promises to boost the immune system, purify the skin and, most importantly after all that hiking, fight backache. So, you'll be ready for another adventure tomorrow.
