Alta Badia

From La Crusc/Santa Croce to the "Snow cave" and return to Badia

Nem

A marvellous walk at the foot of the imposing walls of the Sas dla Crusc mountain passing through the woods to admire the vast flowering meadows of Armentara. Advisable is a brief stop at the "Snow cave" at the foot of the Piza dales Diesc summit. This is a fascinating natural cave, carved out of the snow formed from the water which, during the thaw and the summer storms, runs down from the Piza dales Diesc peak after winters with much snow.

*By car

• Coming from Innsbruck: take the A13 and the A22 toll motorway and exit at Bressanone/Brixen, following the signs to Brunico/Bruneck along the Val Pusteria/Pustertal road as far as S. Lorenzo/St. Lorenzen. Follow the signs to Val Badia/Gadertal 
• Coming from Verona - Bolzano: take the A22, exit at Bressanone/Brixen and continue as above

*By train

The nearest train stations are:

• Brunico - 37 km
• Bolzano (via Passo Gardena) - 72 km (via Brunico) - 100 km
• Connection train station - Alta Badia by the local bus SAD: www.sii.bz.it

*By air

• Innsbruck - 130 km
• Munich - 330 km
• Venice Treviso / Venice Marco Polo - 180 km / 200 km
• Verona - 213 km
• Milan Bergamo / Milan Malpensa - 310 km / 400 km
• Information airport transfer: www.altoadigebus.com - www.cortinaexpress.it

From Badia ascend with the La Crusc 1 chairlift and with the La Crusc 2 cable car to the La Crusc/Santa Croce sanctuary (2045 m). From here, take the trail nr. 15B direction La Val. Continuing on the same path, after 200 m, turn to the left to the "Snow cave". The path on some ups and downs, passes through a wood of mugo pines with a breathtaking view over the Armentara meadows and leads to a glade where, on the right, you come to the "Snow cave" (40 min.). Proceed on trail nr. 15B until you come to a junction and follow here road nr. 18 on the left. This initially winds its way through the wood before opening out onto the Armentara meadows, famed for their wealth of flowers. At the junction with trail nr. 15A, follow it to the right until you reach the edge of the wood and take here the route with the indication "Roda de Armentara - Badia". After a slight climb you will reach the Ütia Ranch da André hut (1h 50 min.). Carry on in south direction always following the mark "Roda de Armentara - Badia". You will skirt the barns of Razuns and the farms of Cialaruns, Alfarëi, Ruac and Fussé before coming to Badia and at the starting point.

P.S.: Please be aware that near the cave there is a risk of rockfall.