Val di Funes, Val Gardena and the Sella passes
The chapel under the Odle peaks, Seceda’s ridge and the Alpe di Siusi, then the high passes around the Sella group to Val Badia and Arabba.
- Distance
- 104 km (65 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 26 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Italy
- Updated
- July 9, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 104 km (65 mi) with 9 stops, from Bolzano to Arabba. About 1 h 26 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Italy
Route description
Drive north from Bolzano on the SS12 or the A22 motorway to Chiusa, then turn up the Val di Funes. At the end of the valley, the chapel of St. Johann in Ranui stands in a meadow in front of the Odle peaks, with the village church of Santa Maddalena close by. Park at the pay car parks in the valley and walk to the viewpoints.
Return to the Isarco valley and at Ponte Gardena take the SS242 into Val Gardena to Ortisei, the main village, known for woodcarving. From Ortisei a cable car climbs to Seceda, a grassy ridge that ends in a drop facing the Odle, and another goes up to the Alpe di Siusi. The road onto the Alpe from Siusi is closed to private cars in daytime, so use the lifts.
Continue up the valley past Selva to Passo Sella, at 2,240 metres below the Sassolungo, then turn back north-east over Passo Gardena, at 2,121 metres, into Val Badia at Corvara. These are the famous Sella Ronda passes; in summer, cyclists fill the roads and car parks are full by mid-morning, so start early. The passes can close after snow from late autumn.
From Corvara the SS244 climbs over Passo Campolongo, the gentlest of the four passes, to Arabba, facing the Marmolada. From there, Passo Pordoi leads on to Canazei if you want to close the loop. The roads are wide enough for motorhomes, but the many hairpins are slow, and camping is not allowed at the passes; use campsites in the valleys.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Bolzano
Italy - 240 km
St. Johann in Ranui
ViewsFunes, ItalyA small baroque chapel of 1744 in a meadow below the Odle peaks, one of the most photographed scenes in the Dolomites. The chapel and meadow are private: view from the path for free, or pay a small fee to walk closer. Parking is paid.
- 310 km
Ortisei
Italy - 46 km
Seceda
ViewsOrtisei, ItalyA grassy ridge at 2,500 metres that ends in a sharp drop, facing the jagged Odle group. A cable car from Ortisei goes most of the way up; it runs from late spring to autumn and in winter for skiers.
- 513 km
Alpe di Siusi
NatureCastelrotto, ItalyOften called Europe’s largest high-altitude alpine meadow, with easy walks towards Sassolungo and the Sciliar. The road up from Siusi is closed to most private cars during the day, so take the cable car from Siusi or drive up early.
- 614 km
Passo Sella
ViewsSelva di Val Gardena, ItalyA 2,240-metre pass right under the walls of the Sassolungo and the Sella group, on the road between Val Gardena and Val di Fassa. The pass car parks fill early in summer; the road is usually closed in heavy snow.
- 77 km
Passo Gardena
ViewsSelva di Val Gardena, ItalyThe 2,121-metre pass between Val Gardena and Val Badia, with the pale towers of the Cir group on one side and the Sella massif on the other. There are lay-bys on both sides of the summit.
- 86 km
Corvara in Badia
Italy - 97 km
Arabba
Italy
FAQs
How long is Val di Funes, Val Gardena and the Sella passes?
3-day road trip of about 104 km (65 mi) with 9 stops, from Bolzano to Arabba. About 1 h 26 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Val di Funes, Val Gardena and the Sella passes?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 26 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Val di Funes, Val Gardena and the Sella passes start and end?
It starts in Bolzano and ends in Arabba.
Which countries does Val di Funes, Val Gardena and the Sella passes pass through?
Italy.
