When talking about Val Gardena one usually refers to the Val Gardena Valley [(Gröden (ger) - Val Gardena (ita) - Gherdëina (lad)] which is one of the five ladin valleys in South Tyrol. This valley is nearly 30 km long and forks off close to the south of chiusa (near bridge Gardena / Waidbruck) east of the Eisack / valle Isarco Valley. The most significant towns of the valley are Ortisei, S. Cristina, and Selva Gardena. Val Gardena is the quintessence of the scenic beauty of the Dolomites defined by the mighty Langkofel (3.181 m) and the monumental Sella mountain range; hence it is a destination for hiking and mountaineering. The valley continues at its end as roads lead over the Val Gardena Joch and also past the Sellajoch and take you further into the fascinating center of the Dolomites where one finds oneself among most unusual and intriguing rock formations, walls, niches, and towers.