Some hikes you simply do — others, you live.
This one swept through me like high-altitude air — powerful, silent, unforgettable. Somewhere between Corvara and the heights of Passo Gardena, I found a trail that quietly rewrote something inside me.
A Trail Between Sky and Stone
It all begins at the pass, where the road seems to stretch upward and brush the clouds. Passo Gardena — austere, majestic — sets the tone: here, the mountains don’t offer themselves easily. They ask to be earned. And yet, from the very first steps, something softens. The body falls into rhythm with the earth, and the breath finds its place.
The path winds between tall grasses, sun-kissed scree, and cliffs rising like mineral cathedrals. You walk inside a living painting. Each turn reveals a quiet miracle — a lace-like ridge, a whispering stream, a golden light like stained glass.
Solitude, Fully Alive
What struck me most was the silence. Not the absence of sound — there was wind, the crunch of rock underfoot, the distant call of a bird — but a deeper silence, almost sacred. Up there, everything falls into place. Thoughts drift off like morning mist, and you’re left simply… yourself. Vulnerable, yes. But grounded.
I paused often — not from fatigue, but just to look. There was nothing else to do. At some point, it didn’t feel like hiking anymore. It felt like being suspended in a perfect, timeless moment.
Coming Back, Slightly Changed
Coming down is a quiet goodbye. You leave behind a suspended world, one that felt almost dreamlike, and yet, something lingers within you. A new way of breathing. A gentler calm that settles deeper in your bones. A gratitude that speaks softly, almost as if it were a secret
Later, as I glanced one last time at the mountains, I realized that nothing had changed. They were still there, grand and untouchable. But something did change. It had changed within me. I had walked among them, and in doing so, something inside of me had shifted, something that would remain with me long after the mountains themselves had faded from view.
Practical Info: Where to Lose Yourself in Beauty
This trail begins at Passo Gardena — that magical point where the Dolomites seem to lean in, inviting you wordlessly. From there, the adventure unfolds along paths that feel designed for wonder.
To get there, take the scenic road connecting Alta Badia and Val Gardena. You’ll likely pass fellow wanderers seeking the same high-altitude reverence. No need to be a seasoned mountaineer — just bring sturdy shoes and a spark of curiosity. The trail won’t push you to your limits, but it will keep you lightly on your toes, in all the best ways.
If you’re tempted to head out early, follow the urge. There’s something dreamlike about watching the first sunlight touch the peaks — a hush of gold that makes it feel like you’ve stepped into another world. And you won’t want to leave it too quickly.
