Hiking in Alta Badia
How Ladin Culture Shapes the Dolomites
The Posta Zirm Wanderhotel is located in the heart of Corvara. For generations, the Kostner family has been closely tied to mountain sports and the alpine history of the Gadertal Valley. Visitors to this area will discover a region where hiking is more than just a leisure activity—it’s part of the local culture.
This culture is already evident on the town signs. Corvara is called Corvara in Ladin, and the Gadertal is called Val Badia. In addition to German and Italian, a third language is spoken here: Ladin. It is considered one of the oldest languages in the Alps and traces its origins to Vulgar Latin, which the Romans brought to the region. Over the centuries, this evolved into a distinct language that has remained alive to this day in some of the Dolomite valleys.
There are historical reasons why Ladin is spoken today only in a few isolated valleys. The Rhaeto-Romanic-speaking regions were once much larger. As German- and Italian-speaking settlement areas expanded, these regions were gradually cut off from one another. What remains are linguistic enclaves such as the Gadertal, Gröden, and the Fassatal, where the language, traditions, and customs are still preserved today. Many of the visible traditions reflect Alpine mountain farming culture—but what is crucial is that they are rooted here in a distinct linguistic and cultural identity.
Welcome
Hello (Good day)
Thank you
How are you?
I'm fine
Goodbye / See you soon
Where are you from?
How lovely!
© Hotel Posta Zirm
© Hotel Posta Zirm
© Molography
© Hotel Posta Zirm
© Hotel Posta Zirm
The best way to explore the region is on foot. Around Corvara, rolling alpine meadows meet the striking rock formations of the Sella Massif and the Sassongher. Many well-known trails wind through the Dolomites, but it’s often the quieter routes that tell the most fascinating stories. At Hotel Posta Zirm, host Silvia Kostner regularly accompanies her guests personally on guided hikes. The focus isn’t on the most famous viewpoints, but rather on trails away from the main tourist crowds, small alpine pastures, and places where the culture and history of the Gadertal Valley can be particularly well experienced.
A rewarding circular hike leads to the so-called “Viles”—historic hamlets—which formed the center of rural life for centuries. The trail passes the Alfarëi farmstead, whose history dates back to 1285. The old buildings offer a glimpse into traditional construction methods and the way of life of earlier generations. Silvia, from the Hotel Posta Zirm, has many stories to share about the area’s history. Not far away is the Lüch da Murin educational farm, which is dedicated to the preservation of rare native livestock breeds.
Back in Corvara, you’ll encounter Ladin culture once again— in many small details of everyday life and, not least, in local delicacies. It is precisely this combination of stunning mountain scenery and a culture that is still very much alive today that makes Alta Badia one of the most exciting hiking regions in the Dolomites.
Summer
from € 100,-
Winter
from € 109,-
Members Area
Hiking Concierge
Hiking Scout
Our Team
Podcasts & Press