Val Gardena and Val Badia: only 150 cars per day will be allowed
Salve! How do we access the region with September ZTL? Can access be pre-booked online somewhere?
Question asked by Rose on 25/05/2026 02:02:55
At the moment, there is no precise information about this restriction yet. However, it is intended that guests staying in Alta Badia or Val Gardena will be granted access.
Answer by Is admin from 25/05/2026 10:10:02This refers to the pilot phase for the Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena). To curb the heavy transit traffic on peak days, the pass road will be closed as a test for pure through-traffic starting September 1, 2026, for an initial period of two months.
The regulation is intended exactly as you described:
Exceptions for guests: Anyone who has booked accommodation in the affected valleys – meaning Val Gardena or Alta Badia – is not affected by the closure. As an overnight guest, you will retain access.
Further exceptions: Residents, commuters, public transport, and delivery traffic are also allowed to use the road without restriction.
Goal of the measure: The restriction primarily targets pure excursion and transit traffic (day-trippers in cars or on motorbikes) using the passes strictly as a transit route.
If this system proves successful in the fall, the South Tyrolean provincial government plans to introduce a permanent, seasonal closure for through-traffic between May and October starting in 2027. Hotels and tourism associations will provide digital transit permits or registration tools for their guests well ahead of the start in September.
Answer by Is admin from 25/05/2026 10:10:32I will be staying near Lake Carezza in September 2026.
On the day of my arrival, I am planning to drive from Ortisei to my accommodation via Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena).
Could you please let me know whether I will be allowed to use Gardena Pass in this situation, even though my accommodation is not located in Val Gardena or Alta Badia?
If advance registration or a transit permit is required, could you kindly provide the reservation link or let me know how I can apply?
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Kind regards,
Answer by yoon from 03/07/2026 03:03:21You are entirely correct regarding the lack of a finalized booking link or permit portal, and you've hit on the exact nuance that is currently causing a lot of discussion in the region.
Here is exactly how the situation stands for your drive over the Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena) in September 2026, and how you should navigate it:
The Access Policy as of 2026
Starting on September 1, 2026, a new environmental traffic management system restricts motorized vehicles on Passo Gardena. The core rule gives priority access to local residents and guests staying directly in Val Gardena or Alta Badia.
Because your accommodation is located near Lake Carezza (which sits in the Val d'Ega/Eggental region, further south), you do not automatically qualify under the "local hotel guest" transit category.
Can You Still Drive the Pass?
The final, granular guidelines for transit traffic (motorists just driving through without a local booking) are still being ironed out by the provincial authorities. However, based on the current framework, here is what you need to know:
No Official Booking Link Exists Yet: There is currently no online portal, reservation system, or link available to buy a one-time transit pass or request a permit for non-residents.
The "Alternative" Route: If the pass restrictions are strictly enforced with physical or digital checkpoints during your arrival hour, you will not be allowed to cross from Ortisei directly into Alta Badia via the pass.
Answer by Is-admin from 03/07/2026 08:08:33Hello,
I am planning a hiking trip in the Dolomites in September. Some of the hikes I would like to do start from the Gardena Pass area.
If I stay within Val Badia or Val Gardena, will I be able to access the trailheads without any problems?
However, if on the days when I plan to hike in this area I am staying outside these two valleys, could I have restricted access to the trailheads due to the new traffic regulations?
Thank you very much for your clarification.
Answer by tjasa from 07/07/2026 21:21:38Planning a hiking trip to the Dolomites in September is an incredible choice, the summer crowds thin out, and the late-summer light is spectacular. However, you are completely right to ask about the traffic regulations.
Starting **September 1, 2026**, a new pilot regulation goes into effect for the **Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena)** to combat overtourism. This directly changes how you can access the trailheads depending on where you sleep at night.
Here is exactly how the rules break down for your trip:
### If you stay inside Val Gardena or Val Badia
You will have a much easier time. Local rules grant exemptions and access permits to local residents and **overnight guests staying in the valleys**.
* **The Advantage:** Your accommodation will provide you with a digital guest pass (like the Val Gardena Guest Pass). This allows you to navigate the valleys freely and gives you free access to the highly efficient public bus system that runs straight to the passes.
* **Driving up to the pass:** While you have accommodation in the area, parking at the actual trailheads on top of the pass is still heavily restricted, so taking the bus or a cable car is highly recommended even if you have a car.
### If you stay outside these two valleys
If you stay outside Val Gardena or Val Badia (for example, in Cortina, Val di Fassa, or Bolzano) and try to drive in for a day hike, **you will be classified as a day-tripper and will face restrictions.**
* **The ZTL / Reservation System:** The new regulation effectively turns the pass into a limited traffic zone during peak hours. Private vehicle parking at the top of Passo Gardena is capped at just **150 spaces**, and these **must be pre-booked online** before your trip.
* **No Booking = No Entry:** If you do not have a pre-booked parking slot or a valid guest permit from a local hotel, you will not be allowed to drive up and park at the pass trailheads during the restricted hours.
Answer by is-admin from 07/07/2026 22:22:39Hello,
I am planning a hiking trip in the Dolomites in September. Some of the hikes I would like to do start from the Gardena Pass area.
If I stay within Val Badia or Val Gardena, will I be able to access the trailheads without any problems?
However, if on the days when I plan to hike in this area I am staying outside these two valleys, could I have restricted access to the trailheads due to the new traffic regulations?
Thank you very much for your clarification.
Answer by tjasa from 08/07/2026 18:18:42You are asking the exact right question at the perfect time. The rules for navigating the Dolomites have shifted significantly, and your timing for September directly collides with brand-new traffic management policies designed to curb overtourism.
Here is exactly how the new regulations impact your trip and how you can avoid any issues.
The New Traffic Regulations: What Changed?
Starting September 1, 2026, local authorities are launching a major pilot program that closes the Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena) to all motorized day-tripper traffic.
If you stay outside Val Gardena or Val Badia: You will not be allowed to drive a rental or private car over the pass to access the trailheads. The pass road is strictly closed to non-resident, motorized transit to prevent traffic congestion.
The Loophole: The restriction specifically targets day-trippers driving through. If you are a registered overnight guest in one of the adjacent valleys or have a verified booking/permit, exceptions are made.
Why You Should Stay in Val Gardena or Val Badia
To guarantee a completely seamless hiking trip without stressing over road blocks or parking permits, I highly recommend booking your accommodation directly within either Val Gardena or Val Badia.
Staying in these valleys gives you two massive advantages:
The Guest Pass Advantage: Accommodations in both valleys provide guests with a free Guest Pass (like the Val Gardena Guest Pass). This grants you completely free, unlimited rides on the local public bus networks.
Effortless Trailhead Access: Regular public buses (like the 471 bus line) run directly up to the top of Passo Gardena from both valleys. Furthermore, you can completely bypass the roads by using the excellent cable car systems. For example, if you stay in Selva (Val Gardena), you can simply ride the Dantercëpies gondola right up to the pass area and start your hike immediately.
Answer by Is-admin from 08/07/2026 18:18:54We are travelling between Ortisei and heading to accommodation in Marebbe. Would this be classified as a guest in one of the adjacent valleys?
Is there a link to book one of the daily 150 spaces at the top of Passo Gardena?
Thank you
Answer by Ruth from 08/07/2026 19:19:23You are spot on with your geographical knowledge, and you caught an important detail. Because Marebbe sits right on that boundary, geographically a branch of Val Badia, but touristically part of the Plan de Corones (Kronplatz) region, it creates a bit of a grey area.
Here is the most accurate, realistic status right now:
In Theory: Yes
Geographically and logically, you are moving directly from Val Gardena to a valley connected to Val Badia to reach your lodging. You are a transiting overnight guest, not a day-tripper coming from outside the mountains just to crowd the pass for a few hours. Because of this, your booking should theoretically classify you as an exempted guest.
In Practice: We Must Wait for the Official Rules
Because this digital traffic management pilot program is brand new for late summer 2026, the exact list of eligible zip codes, municipalities, and hotel partner zones has not been fully finalized or published.
Local authorities are still iron-cladding the exact software rules for what the digital checkpoints will automatically approve. Whether Marebbe hotels will issue the exact same "Passo Gardena Pass" as a hotel right in Corvara or Selva is something we cannot 100\% guarantee until the province releases the official legal text and online registration portal.
What You Should Do Next
* Don't panic about booking yet: Because the official rules and booking links are still being finalized by the South Tyrol mobility authorities, the reservation platform for those 150 daily spaces is not fully live for public booking yet.
* Contact your host in Marebbe: As the summer progresses, your specific accommodation will receive direct instructions from their local tourism board on how their guests can register cars for pass transit. Drop them a quick email asking if they will be included in the Passo Gardena guest exemption system.
Answer by Is-admin from 09/07/2026 08:08:59
Question asked by Rose on 25/05/2026 02:02:55
At the moment, there is no precise information about this restriction yet. However, it is intended that guests staying in Alta Badia or Val Gardena will be granted access.
Answer by Is admin from 25/05/2026 10:10:02This refers to the pilot phase for the Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena). To curb the heavy transit traffic on peak days, the pass road will be closed as a test for pure through-traffic starting September 1, 2026, for an initial period of two months.
The regulation is intended exactly as you described:
Exceptions for guests: Anyone who has booked accommodation in the affected valleys – meaning Val Gardena or Alta Badia – is not affected by the closure. As an overnight guest, you will retain access.
Further exceptions: Residents, commuters, public transport, and delivery traffic are also allowed to use the road without restriction.
Goal of the measure: The restriction primarily targets pure excursion and transit traffic (day-trippers in cars or on motorbikes) using the passes strictly as a transit route.
If this system proves successful in the fall, the South Tyrolean provincial government plans to introduce a permanent, seasonal closure for through-traffic between May and October starting in 2027. Hotels and tourism associations will provide digital transit permits or registration tools for their guests well ahead of the start in September.
Answer by Is admin from 25/05/2026 10:10:32I will be staying near Lake Carezza in September 2026.
On the day of my arrival, I am planning to drive from Ortisei to my accommodation via Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena).
Could you please let me know whether I will be allowed to use Gardena Pass in this situation, even though my accommodation is not located in Val Gardena or Alta Badia?
If advance registration or a transit permit is required, could you kindly provide the reservation link or let me know how I can apply?
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Kind regards,
Answer by yoon from 03/07/2026 03:03:21You are entirely correct regarding the lack of a finalized booking link or permit portal, and you've hit on the exact nuance that is currently causing a lot of discussion in the region.
Here is exactly how the situation stands for your drive over the Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena) in September 2026, and how you should navigate it:
The Access Policy as of 2026
Starting on September 1, 2026, a new environmental traffic management system restricts motorized vehicles on Passo Gardena. The core rule gives priority access to local residents and guests staying directly in Val Gardena or Alta Badia.
Because your accommodation is located near Lake Carezza (which sits in the Val d'Ega/Eggental region, further south), you do not automatically qualify under the "local hotel guest" transit category.
Can You Still Drive the Pass?
The final, granular guidelines for transit traffic (motorists just driving through without a local booking) are still being ironed out by the provincial authorities. However, based on the current framework, here is what you need to know:
No Official Booking Link Exists Yet: There is currently no online portal, reservation system, or link available to buy a one-time transit pass or request a permit for non-residents.
The "Alternative" Route: If the pass restrictions are strictly enforced with physical or digital checkpoints during your arrival hour, you will not be allowed to cross from Ortisei directly into Alta Badia via the pass.
Answer by Is-admin from 03/07/2026 08:08:33Hello,
I am planning a hiking trip in the Dolomites in September. Some of the hikes I would like to do start from the Gardena Pass area.
If I stay within Val Badia or Val Gardena, will I be able to access the trailheads without any problems?
However, if on the days when I plan to hike in this area I am staying outside these two valleys, could I have restricted access to the trailheads due to the new traffic regulations?
Thank you very much for your clarification.
Answer by tjasa from 07/07/2026 21:21:38Planning a hiking trip to the Dolomites in September is an incredible choice, the summer crowds thin out, and the late-summer light is spectacular. However, you are completely right to ask about the traffic regulations.
Starting **September 1, 2026**, a new pilot regulation goes into effect for the **Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena)** to combat overtourism. This directly changes how you can access the trailheads depending on where you sleep at night.
Here is exactly how the rules break down for your trip:
### If you stay inside Val Gardena or Val Badia
You will have a much easier time. Local rules grant exemptions and access permits to local residents and **overnight guests staying in the valleys**.
* **The Advantage:** Your accommodation will provide you with a digital guest pass (like the Val Gardena Guest Pass). This allows you to navigate the valleys freely and gives you free access to the highly efficient public bus system that runs straight to the passes.
* **Driving up to the pass:** While you have accommodation in the area, parking at the actual trailheads on top of the pass is still heavily restricted, so taking the bus or a cable car is highly recommended even if you have a car.
### If you stay outside these two valleys
If you stay outside Val Gardena or Val Badia (for example, in Cortina, Val di Fassa, or Bolzano) and try to drive in for a day hike, **you will be classified as a day-tripper and will face restrictions.**
* **The ZTL / Reservation System:** The new regulation effectively turns the pass into a limited traffic zone during peak hours. Private vehicle parking at the top of Passo Gardena is capped at just **150 spaces**, and these **must be pre-booked online** before your trip.
* **No Booking = No Entry:** If you do not have a pre-booked parking slot or a valid guest permit from a local hotel, you will not be allowed to drive up and park at the pass trailheads during the restricted hours.
Answer by is-admin from 07/07/2026 22:22:39Hello,
I am planning a hiking trip in the Dolomites in September. Some of the hikes I would like to do start from the Gardena Pass area.
If I stay within Val Badia or Val Gardena, will I be able to access the trailheads without any problems?
However, if on the days when I plan to hike in this area I am staying outside these two valleys, could I have restricted access to the trailheads due to the new traffic regulations?
Thank you very much for your clarification.
Answer by tjasa from 08/07/2026 18:18:42You are asking the exact right question at the perfect time. The rules for navigating the Dolomites have shifted significantly, and your timing for September directly collides with brand-new traffic management policies designed to curb overtourism.
Here is exactly how the new regulations impact your trip and how you can avoid any issues.
The New Traffic Regulations: What Changed?
Starting September 1, 2026, local authorities are launching a major pilot program that closes the Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena) to all motorized day-tripper traffic.
If you stay outside Val Gardena or Val Badia: You will not be allowed to drive a rental or private car over the pass to access the trailheads. The pass road is strictly closed to non-resident, motorized transit to prevent traffic congestion.
The Loophole: The restriction specifically targets day-trippers driving through. If you are a registered overnight guest in one of the adjacent valleys or have a verified booking/permit, exceptions are made.
Why You Should Stay in Val Gardena or Val Badia
To guarantee a completely seamless hiking trip without stressing over road blocks or parking permits, I highly recommend booking your accommodation directly within either Val Gardena or Val Badia.
Staying in these valleys gives you two massive advantages:
The Guest Pass Advantage: Accommodations in both valleys provide guests with a free Guest Pass (like the Val Gardena Guest Pass). This grants you completely free, unlimited rides on the local public bus networks.
Effortless Trailhead Access: Regular public buses (like the 471 bus line) run directly up to the top of Passo Gardena from both valleys. Furthermore, you can completely bypass the roads by using the excellent cable car systems. For example, if you stay in Selva (Val Gardena), you can simply ride the Dantercëpies gondola right up to the pass area and start your hike immediately.
Answer by Is-admin from 08/07/2026 18:18:54We are travelling between Ortisei and heading to accommodation in Marebbe. Would this be classified as a guest in one of the adjacent valleys?
Is there a link to book one of the daily 150 spaces at the top of Passo Gardena?
Thank you
Answer by Ruth from 08/07/2026 19:19:23You are spot on with your geographical knowledge, and you caught an important detail. Because Marebbe sits right on that boundary, geographically a branch of Val Badia, but touristically part of the Plan de Corones (Kronplatz) region, it creates a bit of a grey area.
Here is the most accurate, realistic status right now:
In Theory: Yes
Geographically and logically, you are moving directly from Val Gardena to a valley connected to Val Badia to reach your lodging. You are a transiting overnight guest, not a day-tripper coming from outside the mountains just to crowd the pass for a few hours. Because of this, your booking should theoretically classify you as an exempted guest.
In Practice: We Must Wait for the Official Rules
Because this digital traffic management pilot program is brand new for late summer 2026, the exact list of eligible zip codes, municipalities, and hotel partner zones has not been fully finalized or published.
Local authorities are still iron-cladding the exact software rules for what the digital checkpoints will automatically approve. Whether Marebbe hotels will issue the exact same "Passo Gardena Pass" as a hotel right in Corvara or Selva is something we cannot 100\% guarantee until the province releases the official legal text and online registration portal.
What You Should Do Next
* Don't panic about booking yet: Because the official rules and booking links are still being finalized by the South Tyrol mobility authorities, the reservation platform for those 150 daily spaces is not fully live for public booking yet.
* Contact your host in Marebbe: As the summer progresses, your specific accommodation will receive direct instructions from their local tourism board on how their guests can register cars for pass transit. Drop them a quick email asking if they will be included in the Passo Gardena guest exemption system.
Answer by Is-admin from 09/07/2026 08:08:59
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