This high-altitude walk in the Val Badia reveals a mountain sanctuary, a snow grotto, and protected meadows beneath steep rock faces
Image gallery: Hike to the Armentara Meadows and the snow cave
La Valle (Wengen), South Tyrol's first certified hiking village, is the starting point for our tour beneath the rock faces of Mt. Sasso di Santa Croce (Sas dla Crusc, in Ladin language). We leave our car at the Spëscia car park, from where an asphalt road leads to a junction with a forest track: It heads uphill and is signposted "La Crusc Hl. Kreuz". The symbol on the sign is that of the Stations of the Cross. It is a cold October morning, and the path is still in the shade. This is followed by a large meadow: At the next fork, we keep right, on the path that becomes number 15.
Slowly, the sun begins to break through, although the frost is reluctant to thaw. The landscape becomes more Alpine. After a short distance, the forest thins out, giving way to the protected Armentara Meadows: They are known as Roda de Armentara in Ladin and are located on the western edge of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. We walk gently uphill across the magnificent, autumnal meadows beneath the rock faces of the Sasso di Santa Croce.
We take a break at a small saddle with benches: In front of us, we can see the Marmolada glacier, the Gran Vernel, and the Sella Group with the Cima Pisciadù and Mt. Piz Boè. A few more metres, and our destination comes into view: the La Crusc Pilgrimage Church. It consists of a pilgrimage chapel (La Crusc means Holy Cross) with an adjacent mountain hut that serves food and drink.
We stop for a refreshment and enjoy the sun. There are many visitors here, as the La Crusc Cable Car, which ascends from Badia, is also still open. After refuelling, we begin the second part of our circular tour: the descent. We now follow path number 15B, which leads towards the valley. A special detour is planned: after a section of ups and downs, the path leads only downhill, and five minutes later an unmarked track on the right takes us to the snow cave near the rock faces.
It is a remnant of winter, formed by the mountain stream that flows down to the valley after the snow on Mt. Sasso delle Dieci has melted. Back on the main path, we turn onto track number 13B further down, which brings us back to our car park in La Valle in half an hour. By the way: The pilgrimage church of La Crusc is also the destination of a wonderful winter hike!
Authors: Elena & Luca
Experienced in: October 2021
Last updated: 2025
Panoramic view from the Armentara Meadows (9248 Kb) -
- Starting point:
- Spëscia car park in La Valle (1,531 m a.s.l.)
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- Overall time:
- 05:30 h
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- Total route length:
- 15,9 km
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- Altitude:
- from 1.531 m to 2.129 m
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- Altitude difference:
- +776 m | -776 m
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- Signposts:
- "La Crusc Hl. Kreuz", 15, 15B, not signposted path to the snow cave, 13B
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- Destination:
- La Crusc Pilgrimage Church and snow cave
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- Resting points:
- Santa Croce Mountain Hut (open in summer and winter)
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Hike to the Armentara Meadows and the snow cave
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- More information:
- Access to the snow cave is prohibited. However, it is permitted to approach the entrance to take photos of the cavity, but you must be aware of the risk of rockfalls. Also, be cautious of potential snowfall in autumn! The total time indicated above refers to the walking time only, excluding breaks and stops at the hut.
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.
