Last updated 3 July 2026
Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena) is a 2,121-metre mountain pass in the Italian Dolomites connecting Val Gardena and Val Badia, and the starting point of our four-pass Dolomites campervan series. The car park at the summit is currently only partially open following 2023 landslide damage, and from 1 September 2026 the pass is trialling a booking-only access system limited to 150 vehicles a day. This guide covers what’s open right now: parking, resupply, two via ferrata routes and a sport crag within walking distance, the Pisciadù Waterfalls hike, and the nearest village for provisions.
Quick facts: Gardena Pass
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,121 m |
| Parking | Free, but only partially open since the 2023 landslide – check before you go |
| Access from Sept 2026 | Booking-only trial, 150 vehicles per day – check official portal |
| Toilets | Available pre-landslide, not confirmed since |
| Bins | None – pack all rubbish out |
| Dump station | None – empty tanks before you arrive |
| Dog-friendly trails | Yes |
| LPG gas station | Around 25 min drive from the pass |
| 5G signal | Yes (tested during our stay) |
| Nearest village | Corvara in Badia, around 10 min drive, shops and cafés |
Before you arrive: resupply checklist
Gardena Pass is high in the mountains with no shops, no bins, and one LPG station in the wider area. Sort everything before you head up.
Stock up on food and water at a Lidl or Aldi before entering the mountains. These are your last reliable large supermarkets on the approach from the west.
Fill LPG at the only station in the area, around twenty-five minutes from Gardena Pass. Don’t skip this stop, assuming you’ll find another easily. You won’t.
Empty grey and black water before arriving. There’s no dump station at the pass.
Pack out a bin bag. There are no bins at Gardena Pass, so everything you bring in, you carry out.
Parking at Gardena Pass
The parking area sits directly at the pass at 2,121 metres. It used to be one of the biggest overnight spots in the Dolomites: spacious, free, with panoramic views in every direction. That’s no longer the case.
Since the 2023 landslide, only a small section near the barrier has reopened. The debris field still sitting on the hillside above it is large enough that I wouldn’t count on the car park returning to its original size any time soon. Treat it as a day parking spot rather than somewhere to base yourself for a few nights.
Toilets used to be available during peak season. I can’t confirm whether that’s still true post-landslide, so don’t plan around it.
From 1 September 2026, a new booking-only access trial limits the pass to 150 vehicles a day. If you’re driving through in September or later, check the official access portal before you commit to the route.
June still brings smaller crowds than July and August, but the September access trial changes the usual shoulder-season advice this year. Check current dates before you plan around them.
Climbing at Gardena Pass – two via ferrata routes and a sport crag
Gardena has serious climbing accessible directly from the parking area, and it’s available earlier in the season than most.
Via Ferrata Brigata Tridentina – 5-minute walk from parking
The standout activity at Gardena Pass, and one of the most accessible long via ferrata routes in the Dolomites, given how close the start is to the parking area. The route stretches over 700 metres and leads to Pisciadù Refuge at the top, rated grade C/K3 – this is a serious, full-day commitment for people with prior via ferrata experience. It is not a beginner route. Three sections of increasing difficulty with escape options after each one, exposed ledges, steep ascents, iron ladders, and sections where only wire ropes are available. Clear your schedule for the day and pack a proper lunch.
We did it on 31 May in what looked like perfect conditions. There was a small patch of snow visible at the top as we drove to the pass that morning – we noted it, decided it looked manageable, and set off. The climb itself was brilliant. At the summit, we found the entire descent buried under deep snow. The safety cables had disappeared completely under the surface. We spent the next hour sliding down on our backs, soaking wet, with nothing to hold onto on a very steep slope. We are reasonably sure a helicopter spotted us on the way down, because by the time we got back to the van, a team had been up and posted warning signs closing the route due to snow.
The next morning, when other people were gearing up at the trailhead, Tomas went over and warned them – the snow was still there, the route was too dangerous, and the signs were now up. Most of them listened and turned back. A group of young women in shorts and trainers did not. They were all rescued by helicopter several hours later.
We would do this via ferrata again without hesitation – it is one of the best we have done in the Dolomites. But not before late June, and not without checking current conditions first. Snow at that elevation in May and early June is not unusual, and the descent is where it becomes genuinely dangerous. We filmed the whole thing if you want to see exactly what we found at the top. Watch the video here →
Via Ferrata Gran Cir – 25-minute walk from parking
A slightly easier introduction to via ferrata in the Dolomites, starting 25 minutes uphill from the pass. Various hiking routes through the mountains continue from the Gran Cir trailhead, making it a good base for a longer mountain day.
Tridentine sport climbing crag – 5-minute walk from parking
A sport climbing crag just minutes from the van. Note: typically not in condition until July – check before planning a climbing trip around it early in the season.
Pisciadù Waterfalls hike – 60-minute walk from parking
A favourite from our stay. The trail to Pisciadù Waterfalls starts from the pass and takes approximately 60 minutes each way on foot. It’s one of the most rewarding walks in the area – the waterfall itself sits in a dramatic rocky setting and is genuinely worth the effort. Dog-friendly throughout.
Corvara village – 10-minute drive
If you need a break from the pass or want to resupply mid-stay, Corvara in Badia is a 10-minute drive down into the valley. It’s a proper Dolomites village – shops, authentic Italian coffee, restaurants, and a chance to stretch your legs somewhere different. A good option for a rest day when the weather is poor at altitude.
Gardena Pass activity guide – free download
I’ve put together a one-page route guide for Gardena Pass covering all the activities from this post: both via ferrata routes, the sport crag, the Pisciadù Waterfalls hike, Corvara village, and the LPG station location. Download it, screenshot it, save it offline before you head up.
Notes for campervans and motorhomes
- Parking: only a small section of the car park is open, following the 2023 landslide. Better for a day stop than a longer stay right now, check current conditions before you plan around it.
- Toilets: available at the pass pre-landslide. Not confirmed, don’t rely on it.
- There are zero bins at Gardena Pass. Pack a dedicated rubbish bag and carry everything out. Don’t leave it assuming someone else will deal with it.
- No dump station: sort grey and black water before you arrive.
- LPG: one station in the area, around twenty-five minutes from the pass. Fill up before heading into the mountains; don’t leave it to chance.
- Weather: at 2,121 metres, expect cold mornings and unpredictable afternoons even in summer. June can still be chilly; pack layers.
- Signal: consistent 5G throughout our stay.
- Dogs: Summer and Shadow handled all the trails here without difficulty. The via ferrata routes require dogs to be carried or left at the van on technical sections.
- Access from September 2026: the pass is trialling a booking-only system, pending final approval from the Province of Bolzano. Check the official portal before you plan a route through.
- Please leave it better than you found it. Traffic through the Dolomites is growing fast, and more people mean more pressure on these places. If you see rubbish that isn’t yours, take it anyway. These places stay beautiful because some people make that choice.
What’s changed since 2023
From September 2026, the pass road between Val Gardena and Val Badia is set to trial a pilot closure to general tourist traffic, pending final approval from the Province of Bolzano. Under the plan, only residents of the two valleys, workers with documented business, and guests staying at hotels along the pass road would keep unrestricted access. Everyone else would need one of 150 paid parking slots a day, booked in advance through an online reservation system. Local bus services between the two valleys are also planned to increase, running every fifteen to twenty minutes.
A larger, seasonal version of this is proposed for May to October 2027: a near-total closure to non-residents across the whole warm season. The municipalities of Val Gardena and Val Badia have already approved the plan on their end, but it still needs the Province of Bolzano’s final sign-off before either the 2026 pilot or the 2027 closure can take legal effect, since this is a provincial road.
What isn’t confirmed for either scheme is whether the booking system treats motorhomes and campervans differently from cars, or how far in advance you’d need to reserve. If you’re planning a trip through the pass from September 2026 onward, check the official access portal before you commit to a route. This is a developing situation, and as of writing, provincial approval hasn’t been finalised.
Sources:
- ANSA, Italy’s national news agency, on the approved plan and the 2027 provincial approval requirement: https://www.ansa.it/trentino/notizie/2026/03/23/in-arrivo-la-ztl-anti-overtourism-a-passo-gardena_d5b37c29-5450-4259-ab32-f15654b5b427.html
- Trekking.it, on the 150-slot booking system and public transport increase: https://www.trekking.it/news/dolomiti-ztl-passo-gardena/
- il Dolomiti, regional South Tyrol news outlet, on the municipal decision: https://www.ildolomiti.it/cronaca/2026/passo-gardena-a-traffico-limitato-per-frenare-lassalto-dei-turisti-strade-chiuse-ai-non-residenti
Gardena Pass in the Dolomites van life series
| Pass | Elevation | Part |
|---|---|---|
| Gardena (Passo Gardena) | 2,121 m | Part 1 |
| Sella (Passo Sella) | 2,240 m | Part 2 |
| Falzarego (Passo Falzarego) | 2,117 m | Part 3 |
| Giau (Passo di Giau) | 2,236 m | Part 4 |
FAQ
Is parking free at Gardena Pass?
Yes. The parking area at Gardena Pass is a free, spacious gravel area directly at the pass at 2,136 metres. There is plenty of room for motorhomes, toilets are available during peak season, and 5G signal is strong throughout. It is the most practically equipped free overnight stop in our four-pass Dolomites series.
Is the Pisciadù parking area open after the 2023 landslide?
Not fully. We drove past on 2 July 2026, three years after the landslide, and only a small section of the car park had reopened – the rest remains under construction. Given the scale of the debris still on the slope above, it’s unclear whether it’ll ever return to its original size. Check current conditions with the Val Gardena tourist office or local sources before planning your visit.
What climbing is available at Gardena Pass?
Three options are accessible from the pass. Via Ferrata Brigata Tridentina is a five-minute walk from the parking area – over 700 metres long, leading to Pisciadù Refuge at the top, and a full all-day excursion. Via Ferrata Gran Cir starts 25 minutes uphill from the pass and is a slightly easier introduction to via ferrata in the Dolomites. The Tridentine sport crag is a five-minute walk from the van, but it is typically not in condition until July – check before planning a trip around it early in the season.
What is the Pisciadù Waterfalls hike?
A favourite from our stay. The trail starts from the pass and takes approximately 60 minutes each way. The waterfall sits in a dramatic rocky setting and is dog-friendly throughout.
Is there a dump station at Gardena Pass?
No. There is no dump station at the pass, and there are no bins either. Empty your tanks and pack a dedicated rubbish bag before you head up – everything you bring in, you carry out.
Is there an LPG station near Gardena Pass?
Yes, but only one in the wider area, approximately 25 minutes from the pass. Fill up before heading into the mountains.
Is Gardena Pass dog-friendly?
Yes. The Pisciadù Waterfalls hike and the hiking routes from Gran Cir are dog-friendly throughout. Via ferrata routes require dogs to be carried or left at the van on technical sections. Our dogs, Summer and Shadow, handled everything here without difficulty.
When is the best time to visit Gardena Pass by van?
Early June or September. The pass gets significantly busier through July and August during peak European summer holidays. Visiting in June gives you a quieter experience, though the sport crag may not yet be in condition and temperatures at 2,121 m can still be cold – pack layers regardless of the forecast.
Is there a mobile signal at Gardena Pass?
Yes – consistent 5G throughout our stay.
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