Walk through the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm, in the heart of the Dolomites

There are landscapes that one recognizes even before visiting them. A sea of ​​gently undulating meadows, crossed by well-lit paths and punctuated by dark chalets; in the distance, the walls of the Sciliar/Schlern, the twin silhouettes of the Sassolungo/Langkofel and the Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel, then the pinkish peaks of the Catinaccio/Rosengarten.Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm belongs to those images that have become almost emblematic of the Dolomites. Yet, no photograph quite captures the impression given by arriving on this vast high plateau: the space that suddenly opens up, the light that glides over the grass, the breath of the wind in the pastures and this sensation of walking in an immense landscape, but never empty.

The Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm is often described as the largest high-altitude alpine pasture in Europe. It covers approximately 56 km²between nearly 1,700 and over 2,300 meters altitudein a protected area that partly belongs to the Sciliar-Catinaccio/Naturpark Schlern-Rosengarten and the Dolomites territory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding mountains not only provide a spectacular backdrop but also define the plateau's orientation, colors, and atmosphere. The Sciliar/Schlern range watches over the western edge, while the Sassolungo/Langkofel and Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel close off the horizon to the east. To the north, the slopes descend towards Ortisei/Urtijëi and Val Gardena/Gherdëina; to the south, the trails reach the foothills of the Catinaccio/Rosengarten range.

People don't come here to visit an isolated site, but to enter a landscape meant to be explored. In summer, the meadows are covered in flowers, the herds move to the mountain pastures, and the paths connect Compaccio/Compatsch In Saltria, Bullaccia/Puflatsch, Monte Piz, Panorama, or at the mountain huts nestled at the foot of the peaks. In winter, the snow blurs the lines between the meadows, softens the landscape, and transforms the Alps into a vast domain for skiing, cross-country skiing, and winter hiking. In both seasons, progress is slow, almost contemplative: you walk for a few minutes, stop at a ridgeline, then set off again because a new perspective has just opened up.

Understanding the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm: a high plateau inhabited and shaped by man

Alpe di Siusi / Seiser Alm, the largest high-altitude alpine pasture in Europe

The word alps This can be confusing. Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm is neither a single village nor a single peak, but a vast high-altitude pastoral territory. The meadows stretch over tens of square kilometers, separated by valleys, groves, streams, farm roads, and small hills whose gentle shapes contrast with the surrounding Dolomite walls.

The whole area gives an impression of continuity, but the plateau is not perfectly horizontal. Compaccio/Compatsch, the main arrival point from Siusi allo Sciliar/Seis am Schlern (and the main tourist center), is located around 1,850 meters. Further east, Saltria lies slightly lower, nestled in a wide valley. Bullaccia/Puflatsch exceeds 2,100 meters, while the Panorama, Monte Piz, and slopes facing the Sassolungo/Langkofel reach or exceed 2,000 meters.

This gentle terrain explains why the Alps are accessible to a wide variety of hikers. Some walks follow wide farm tracks and require little effort. Others cross several valleys, reach the ridges, or extend the hike towards Sciliar/Schlern, Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel, or the high plateaus of Catinaccio/Rosengarten.

The pedestrian network is considerable: official tourist sources mention several hundred kilometers of trails throughout the region, with routes suitable for both families and experienced walkers.

A natural landscape, but deeply agricultural

The Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm It appears wild when the mist rises from the valley floor or when the first snows cover the meadows. Yet, its current appearance is inseparable from centuries of pastoralism.

The chalets, barns, fences, and paths bear witness to a long history of seasonal occupation. Every summer, herds are brought up from the villages on the lower slopes. The grass is grazed or mowed, the farm buildings are maintained, and the mountain huts perpetuate a cuisine linked to this pastoral world: cheeses, butter, speck, canederli, soups, polenta, and desserts made with apples or poppy seeds.

This work prevents the forest from completely reclaiming the plateau and preserves the open landscape for which it is now renowned. What the traveler perceives as a vast natural scene is therefore the result of a fragile balance between altitude, climate, and human activity.

In early summer, flowers lend the meadows an almost tactile quality. Gentians, orchids, buttercups, and alpine roses create splashes of color in the grass. Later, the hay dries in the sun, its sweet scent mingling with that of the warm earth. In autumn, the hues deepen: the meadows turn golden, the larches take on a coppery hue, and the first frosts whiten the shaded hollows.

The Sciliar/Schlern, mountain symbol of Südtirol/Alto Adige

To the west of the Alpe, the Sciliar/Schlern dominates the landscape with its massive form. Its upper plateau is surmounted by Monte Pez/Petz, which reaches 2 563 meters. Its two peaks, Punta Santner/Santnerspitze and Punta Euringer/Euringerspitze, give the massif an immediately recognizable silhouette, long used as a symbol of Südtirol/Alto Adige.

From the meadows, the mountain sometimes seems close, almost perched on the edge of the plateau. Yet, climbing it requires a real hike. The trails leave the pastoral areas, cross steeper slopes, and enter a mineral world where distances seem to stretch out.

The Sciliar/Schlern also changes character throughout the day. In the morning, its dark mass is silhouetted against the light from the east. At midday, the details of the cliffs flatten under the sun. In the evening, the faces take on shades of grey, violet, or pink, while the meadows are already bathed in cool shadow.

Enter the Alpe via Compaccio/Compatsch

The first look at the set

Most visitors arrive at Compaccio/CompatschAccess is either via the cable car ascending from Siusi allo Sciliar/Seis am Schlern, or via the regulated road. The location forms the main gateway to the plateau: the upper station, bus stops, hotels, trailheads, and the first ski slopes are all concentrated there.

Stepping out of the cable car, the immediate impression isn't one of isolated nature. There are buildings, service vehicles, horse-drawn carriages, and a certain amount of activity. However, a short walk of just a few hundred meters is all it takes for the plateau to open up. The buildings become more spread out, the paths branch off, and your gaze begins to wander freely between the meadows and the mountain peaks.

Compaccio/Compatsch It is less a place to linger than a redistribution point. From here, you can go up towards Bullaccia/Puflatsch, reach the Panorama sector, walk towards Saltria, follow the paths towards Sciliar/Schlern or take the internal buses that travel around the plateau.

The Church of San Francesco/St. Franziskus

Near the center is the church of San Francesco/St. Franziskus, a contemporary building whose low silhouette blends into the landscape. Its presence serves as a reminder that the Alps are not just a sporting territory: they also remain a space for seasonal living, traditions, and mountain spirituality.

The interior, more austere than that of the baroque churches in the neighboring villages, offers a moment of calm before setting off again on the trails. When the door opens, the silence of the building suddenly gives way to the sounds of the plateau: the bells of the herds, the wheels of the carriages, the conversations of the walkers, and the whisper of the wind.

The paths to Panorama and Ritsch

From Compaccio/Compatsch, an easy walk leads to the Panorama area and then on to Ritsch. The slope is gradual and the paths remain wide. As you climb, the horizon expands: the Sciliar/Schlern comes into view on the right, while the Sassolungo/Langkofel and the Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel become more prominent to the east.

Ritsch is one of the major crossroads of the plateau, both in summer and winter. Mountain huts and ski slopes intersect here, yet the landscape retains its vastness. In winter, it becomes one of the major centers for cross-country skiing, the starting point for a network of 80 kilometers of slopes prepared between approximately 1,800 and 2,200 meters altitude.

Bullaccia/Puflatsch, panoramic balcony above the Alpe

A gentle mountain resting on the plateau

Bullaccia/Puflatsch forms a kind of plateau within the plateau. Its rounded summit, accessible from Compaccio/Compatsch on foot or by ski lift, offers one of the most complete panoramas of the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm.

The ascent on foot is not technically difficult, but it requires a steady effort. As you gain altitude, the roofs of Compaccio become smaller, the lines of the plateau become clearer, and the villages at the bottom of the valley appear in the distance.

An extraordinary panorama

From the upper part, the view encompasses the Sciliar/Schlern, the Catinaccio/Rosengarten, the Sassolungo/Langkofel, the Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel, the Odle/Geisler and, in clear weather, a large part of the South Tyrol Alps.

The wind is often more noticeable here. It flattens the grass, makes the fences vibrate, and sometimes carries the smell of rain even before the clouds cover the plateau.

The witches' benches

Bullaccia/Puflatsch is also associated with the legends of the witches of Sciliar/Schlern. Rock formations known as witches' benches They are reminiscent of those popular stories in which the mountain range became a place of gathering, storms, and mysterious forces.

These stories belong to the region's ancient folklore. They add another dimension to the landscape, especially when clouds descend rapidly on the ridges and the paths disappear into a thick mist. What appears bright and welcoming under the sun can then become silent and almost eerie in a matter of minutes.

An accessible panoramic loop

The Bullaccia/Puflatsch loop is one of the most interesting hikes for a first-time experience. Depending on the exact starting point and the variations, it takes approximately two and a half to three hours and involves a few hundred meters of elevation gain.

The route alternates between open paths, sections near farms, and viewpoints overlooking the valleys. It is particularly beautiful early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the side light highlights the undulations of the terrain.

In winter, Bullaccia/Puflatsch It remains accessible via prepared paths. An official winter hike is offered there, lasting approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes with a little over 400 meters of elevation gain.

Saltria, the peaceful side facing the Sassolungo

A more intimate backdrop

East of the Alps, Saltria It occupies a vast depression at the foot of Sassolungo/Langkofel and Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel. The atmosphere here is different from that of Compaccio/Compatsch. The slopes seem closer, the forests reclaim more space, and the peaks dominate the landscape with a more vertical presence.

Saltria can be reached on foot via several routes or by taking the local bus from Compaccio. The route crosses meadows, passes near mountain huts and gradually reveals the Sassolungo group from an increasingly imposing angle.

In the morning, the light reaches certain hollows only late. The grass remains damp, the spruce trees give off a resinous scent, and the silhouettes of the mountains are sometimes reflected in small pools of water. At midday, the valley becomes more lively, before quickly regaining its calm at the end of the day.

The Hans-and-Paula-Steger Trail

The Hans-et-Paula-Steger trail connects the Compaccio and Saltria sectors through the central landscapes of the Alpe. It is named after two mountaineers linked to local history and allows you to discover the plateau without seeking out difficult terrain.

The route crosses meadows, passes several mountain huts, and offers continuous views of the surrounding mountains. It can be hiked in one direction and then combined with the local bus to return to the starting point.

The appeal of this hike lies less in a summit than in the succession of landscapes. You go from a wide-open landscape to sections close to the woods, then to areas where chalets are scattered across the pastures. The trail provides an excellent introduction to the geography of the Alps.

Towards Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel and Monte Pana

From Saltria, more experienced hikers can continue towards the Zallinger area, then approach Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel. The slopes become steeper and the pastoral character gradually gives way to high mountain terrain.

Another connection leads to Monte Pana, above Santa Cristina Valgardena/Santa Cristina Gherdëina. In winter, this connection is used by skiers wishing to reach the Val Gardena/GherdëinaHowever, it is not a continuous ski-on-ski connection along the entire route: a ski bus connects Saltria to Monte Pana, from where you can access the valley slopes and the Sellaronda.

The villages providing access to the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm

The Alps are not isolated from the rest of the region. They are surrounded by villages, each with its own atmosphere, history, and unique relationship to the plateau. Therefore, the choice of where to stay profoundly influences the experience.

Castelrotto/Kastelruth, the historic village at the foot of the Alps

A lively square and a bell tower visible from afar

Castelrotto/Kastelruth It is situated on an intermediate plateau overlooking the Isarco/Eisacktal valley. It is the largest of the tourist villages in the Alpe di Siusi region and one of the most vibrant. Its old center, organized around the main square and a tall bell tower, has been included in the association of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

The painted facades, the inns, the shops, and the flower-filled balconies give the center a very South TyrolGerman dominates in conversations, but signs and services remain bilingual, in accordance with the Südtirol/Alto Adige system.

The village is particularly pleasant in the early morning, before the terraces fill up. You can hear the church bells, the noise of deliveries and the first buses leaving for Siusi or the Alpe.

An indirect gateway to the plateau

Castelrotto is not located at the main departure point of the cable car, but it is well connected to Siusi allo Sciliar/Seis am Schlern by local buses. In summer, the Marinzen lift also allows access to an intermediate alpine pasture and from which to set off on foot towards several routes.

Staying in Castelrotto is particularly suitable for those looking for a real village centre, restaurants, shops and a local atmosphere in the evening, while still having easy access to the plateau.

Siusi allo Sciliar/Seis am Schlern, the main gate to the Alpe

The village located below the Sciliar

Siusi allo Sciliar/Seis am Schlern is located directly at the foot of the Sciliar/Schlern and constitutes the main western gateway to the Alpe. The village is less monumental than castelrotto, but its location is remarkable. The meadows rise towards the first forests, while the silhouette of the massif appears above the roofs.

The center retains the atmosphere of an Alpine village, with a square, hotels, traditional houses, and traces of a long history of tourism. The official regional government presents it as one of the major gateways to the Dolomites and as a place deeply associated with the legends of Sciliar.

The Siusi–Alpe di Siusi cable car

The lower station of the gondola lift is located at the edge of the village and has parking available. It is the easiest and most frequently used access point to reach Compaccio/Compatsch.

The climb lasts a few minutes and gains nearly 900 meters in altitude. Gradually, the houses disappear, the forests open up, and the plateau appears above the last ridge. The arrival is particularly spectacular in good weather, when Sassolungo/Langkofel rises on the horizon.

In summer, the cable car is scheduled to operate from late May to early November, with hours generally running from 8 a.m. to 18 p.m., extended until 19 p.m. in the height of summer. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices and online.

Fiè allo Sciliar/Völs am Schlern, between lake, culture and mild climate

A village further down, focused on well-being

Fiè allo Sciliar/Völs am Schlern is located at a lower altitude than Castelrotto and Siusi, in a gentler environment. The landscape combines vineyards, orchards, forests and views of the Sciliar.

The village is known for its traditional hay baths, a wellness practice linked to cut grass from the alpine pastures, as well as for the Lake Fiè/Völser WeiherA small forest lake renowned for swimming in summer and walks in all seasons. The official region also highlights Presule Castle/Schloss Prösels, agricultural routes, and the heritage of the town center.

Fiè is a good choice for those who wish to combine the Alps with cultural visits, lower walks and a less harsh climate.

Reaching the Alps from Fiè

Fiè is not directly connected to the plateau by a major cable car. You must reach Siusi by bus or car, then take the cable car. Regional line 170 serves the Bolzano/Bozen–Fiè–Siusi–Castelrotto route, while other shuttle buses provide local connections.

This distance adds transfer time, but it allows you to stay in a quieter environment, close to the lake and the trails of lower Sciliar.

Ortisei/Urtijëi, the eastern access from Val Gardena/Gherdëina

A different approach to the Alps

Ortisei/Urtijëi is located in Val Gardena/Gherdëina, on the northeast slope of the Alpe. The village provides a completely different access point from Siusi.

From the center of Ortisei, a cable car goes directly towards Mont Sëuc, around 2,000 meters above sea level. The arrival offers an immediate view of the Alpe, the Sciliar, the Sassolungo and the Sasso Piatto.

This entrance is particularly spectacular, as it opens directly onto the upper meadows. It is suitable for visitors staying in Val Gardena or wishing to arrange a crossing to Compaccio and Saltria.

Access by public transport

Ortisei is connected to Ponte Gardena/Waidbruck and Chiusa/Klausen by bus line 350which generally runs at high frequency. From the Piazza Sant'Antonio stop, the cable car station is about a five-minute walk away.

There is also a paid car park at the lower station, but its capacity is limited.

The most beautiful panoramic hikes on the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm

The Compaccio–Panorama–Ritsch loop

An accessible first immersion

This loop is one of the best introductions to the plateau. From Compaccio, you gradually reach the Panorama sector, then Ritsch, before returning via farm tracks.

Depending on the variants, you should expect to pay around 8 to 12 kilometersbetween three and four hours of walking, with an elevation gain generally less than 400 meters.

The route offers an almost continuous view of the Sciliar, the Sassolungo and the Sasso Piatto. It is suitable for walkers accustomed to several hours of walking, without any technical difficulty.

The best time is early in the morning, when the paths are still quiet and the light gradually illuminates the peaks from the east.

The Bullaccia/Puflatsch loop

The most comprehensive overview

From Compaccio, you can ascend towards Bullaccia/Puflatsch via the trails or the ski lift. The upper loop allows you to traverse the gentle ridges and discover several viewpoints.

The route takes approximately 2 p.m. to 30 p.m., for an elevation gain of 350 to 500 meters depending on the starting point.

The view extends towards Val Gardena, the Odle mountains, Sassolungo, Catinaccio and Sciliar. The witches' benches add a cultural dimension to the hike.

You should plan for a warm layer, even in summer, as the wind can be strong on the upper part.

The Hans-and-Paula-Steger Trail to Saltria

A journey through the heart of the meadows

This trail connects the central sectors of Alpe di Saltria. Depending on the starting point, the route measures approximately 9 to 12 kilometers and takes three to four hours.

It crosses a landscape typical of the plateau: meadows, chalets, small valleys, and open views of the Dolomites. The return trip can be made by bus from Saltria, which avoids doubling the distance.

This hike is particularly beautiful in June and early July, when the flowers are plentiful, or in September, when the air becomes clearer and the colours warmer.

From Saltria to Zallinger

Under Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto

From Saltria, the path climbs towards Zallinger through meadows and forest edges. The hike is approximately 8 to 10 kilometers round trip and 300 to 450 meters of elevation gain.

Sassolungo/Langkofel and Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel constantly dominate the route. As you progress, the cliffs appear more vertical and the details of the rock become visible.

The Zallinger site, with its small church and shelters, makes for a very pleasant walk. The return to Saltria is via the same route or an alternative one.

Towards the Bolzano/Schlernhaus refuge and the Sciliar/Schlern

A great high-altitude hike

The ascent to the Sciliar is one of the major hikes in the region. Depending on the starting point, it requires a long day, often over 1,000 meters of elevation gain and between six and eight hours of walking.

The Bolzano/Schlernhaus refuge is located at approximately 2,450 meters. From there, it is possible to continue towards Monte Pez/Petz, the highest point of the massif at 2,563 meters.

The hike gradually leaves the pastoral landscape behind. Meadows give way to rocky slopes and limestone plateaus. From the summit, the panorama stretches across a vast area of ​​South Tyrol and the Dolomites.

This route requires good physical condition, stable weather and an early start.

Alpe di Siusi through the seasons

June and July: the time for flowers

Early summer is probably the most colorful time of year. The meadows are tall, the flowers are abundant, and the mountain peaks sometimes still have patches of snow.

The days are long, but thunderstorms can develop in the afternoon. It's best to start long hikes early.

August: light and visitor numbers

August often offers favorable conditions, but it's also the busiest time of year. Cable cars, mountain huts, and main trails can be very busy.

To find peace and quiet, you have to leave before the first lifts arrive, choose secondary paths or walk in the late afternoon, paying attention to the closing time of the facilities.

September and October: the Alps turn golden

Autumn brings softer light, cooler temperatures, and often excellent visibility. The herds gradually descend, and the meadows take on golden hues.

The first snows can arrive early. Lift operating hours are reduced and some mountain huts close before the end of the season.

Winter: an almost unreal landscape

Under the snow, the Alps lose some of their colors, but gain in purity. The landscapes become simpler, the chalets barely emerge from the slopes, and the mountains appear even sharper in the cold air.

The crowds are concentrated around the slopes and the main lifts. A few steps on a winter path are often enough to find peace and quiet.

How to access Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm in summer?

By cable car from Siusi allo Sciliar/Seis am Schlern

The Siusi cable car is the simplest solution. It departs near the village and arrives at Compaccio/Compatsch, the main crossroads of the plateau.

During peak season, it's best to arrive early, especially on weekends. The car parks at the lower station can fill up quickly, and queues start to form from mid-morning onwards.

The advantage of this access lies in its flexibility: in Compaccio, you can walk, take the internal bus to Saltria or use the summer lifts of Bullaccia/Puflatsch, Panorama, Florian or Spitzbühl depending on their opening period.

By cable car from Ortisei/Urtijëi

Access from Ortisei leads to Mont Sëuc, on the eastern side. It is particularly suitable for hikes towards Saltria, Monte Piz and the meadows facing Sassolungo.

The lift generally operates from spring to autumn, with longer hours during peak season. Summer operations are scheduled from early May to early November, closing around 17 or 18 pm depending on the period.

By car: a strictly regulated road

The Alpe di Siusi is a protected landscape. When the Siusi cable car is operating, the access road is Closed to private traffic between 9 a.m. and 17 p.m.It is therefore possible to drive up before 9 a.m. or after 17 p.m., as far as Compaccio/Compatsch. Descent remains permitted at any time.

There are two paid parking lots on the plateau: P1 at Spitzbühl and P2 at Compaccio. When both are full, access may be closed before 9:00 AM at the San Valentino/St. Valentin checkpoint. Starting June 29, 2026, online reservations will be mandatory for these parking lots.

This reglementation This must be taken seriously. Arriving late hoping to get through security often leads to having to go back down to the cable car.

By bus from the villages

Shuttles connect Castelrotto/Kastelruth, Siusi allo Sciliar/Seis am Schlern, Fiè allo Sciliar/Völs am Schlern and Tires al Catinaccio/Tiers am Rosengarten to the cable car station. On the plateau, the internal line connects Compaccio to Saltria.

Le Südtirol Guest Pass This pass is offered by many accommodations in the villages and allows use of most regional public transport. However, it does not necessarily cover certain specific services such as the Seiser Alm Express, the internal plateau line, or some ski lifts. Conditions should be checked with the accommodation provider.

Lift passes

The region offers several summer passes. The Seiser Alm Card Gold includes, depending on its validity period, the main gondola, certain buses, and several lifts on the plateau. The Dolomiti Supersummer Card, on the other hand, allows access to an extensive network of lifts in the Dolomites and includes bicycle transport.

For a single return trip, a standard ticket is sufficient. For multi-day hikes with lift access, a pass is often more economical.

How to access Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm in winter?

Gondola lift, ski pass and ski area

In winter, the Siusi–Alpe di Siusi gondola lift also provides the main access to the ski area. The ascent and descent are included in the Seiser Alm/Val Gardena lift passes. Dolomiti Superski.

From Ortisei, the Mont Sëuc gondola lift provides access to the eastern sector. The slopes and lifts of the plateau form an area primarily suited to families and intermediate skiers, with wide, sunny slopes and few truly extreme sections.

The ensemble Alpe di Siusi–Val Gardena officially 181 kilometers of slopes and 79 ski liftsOn the Alpe itself, more than twenty lifts provide access to approximately 62 kilometers of slopes, according to official historical data from ski area.

Alpine skiing: a bright and family-friendly area

The slopes of Alpe d'Huez follow the undulations of the plateau. They are often wide, gently sloping, and open to the landscape. This configuration is well-suited to learning and leisurely skiing.

The Panorama, Euro, Laurin, Goldknopf, Florian, and Bullaccia/Puflatsch sectors allow for long days of skiing without necessarily retracing your steps. Experienced skiers will find some more challenging runs, particularly in Bullaccia, but the area doesn't have the same sporty character as the major descents of Val Gardena.

The connection to the Sellaronda requires taking the ski bus from Saltria to Monte Pana, then accessing the Val Gardena slopes. Therefore, L'Alpe is not directly connected to the Sella circuit on skis.

Cross-country skiing: 80 kilometers between 1,800 and 2,200 meters

The Alpe di Siusi is one of the major northern territories of South Tyrol. The network includes 80 kilometers of slopes, prepared for classic and skating techniques, at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,200 meters. The tracks They are laid out on natural snow and offer levels ranging from initiation to competition courses.

Ritsch is the main center. From there, the loops head towards Compaccio, Saltria, Hartl and the higher sectors. The light, the altitude and the open landscape make the experience very different from cross-country skiing in the forest: you glide facing the Sassolungo, with the Sciliar at your back and kilometers of snow-covered meadows all around you.

The slopes are reserved for skiers. Pedestrians, dogs, sleds and bicycles are not allowed, as they damage the grooming.

Winter hiking and snowshoeing

Alpe has approximately 60 kilometers of prepared winter trailsThey connect Compaccio, Saltria, Bullaccia, Panorama and several mountain huts.

Marcher Here in winter, the experience is very different from that of summer. The snow absorbs sounds, fences almost disappear, and the cabins seem isolated in a white expanse. The sun can be intense, but the wind and shade quickly cause the temperature to drop.

Snowshoeing is permitted on designated trails, but unmarked areas require caution and awareness of avalanche risk. The plateau appears gentle, however, some slopes overlooking the valleys can be exposed.

A walk that goes beyond the simple postcard

The Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm is one of the most photographed landscapes in the Dolomites, but it cannot be reduced to a single viewpoint. Its beauty is understood in movement: the slow walk between Compaccio and Saltria, the gradual ascent of Bullaccia, the wind rising on the ridges, the smell of hay near a chalet, the sound of an unseen stream in the grass.

Each access point reveals a different facet. From Siusi allo Sciliar/Seis am Schlern, one arrives at the foot of the Sciliar and in the heart of the plateau. From Ortisei/Urtijëi, one emerges almost directly facing the Sassolungo. From Castelrotto/Kastelruth or Fiè allo Sciliar/Völs am Schlern, the Alpe appears as an extension of an inhabited, agricultural, and distinctly South Tyrolean territory.

In winter, ski and cross-country trails follow these same undulating terrain beneath the snow. In summer, paths connect mountain huts, alpine pastures, and panoramic viewpoints. Between seasons, when the lifts close and the herds leave the meadows, the plateau regains a more austere solitude.

Perhaps it is then that one best understands what makes the Alpe di Siusi so unique. It is vast without being deserted, spectacular without being overwhelming, accessible without completely losing its mountain character. People come here to see the Dolomites, and then they discover that the true landscape also lies beneath their feet: in the grass, the paths, the chalets, and the long, gentle lines that slowly lead the eye towards the peaks.

Credit Photos

Alpe di Siusi: mendhak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Alpe_Di_Siusi_open_meadow_area.jpg

Castelrotto from Bullaccia: M-Car, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Castelrotto_dalla_Bullaccia.jpg

Compatsch: Luiclemens at it.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Alpe_di_Siusi_CIMG3092.JPG

Alpe di Siusi summer: Cristian Lorini, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Dolomiti_Alpe_Siusi_-_panoramio.jpg

Alpe di Siusi and small lake: Dreamy Pixel, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Dark_and_gloomy_atmosphere_at_Alpe_di_Siusi_in_italian_Dolomites.jpg

Alpe di Siusi in winter: Francesco Zanardini, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Alpe_di_Siusi_-panoramio%282%29.jpg

Mount Sciliar: Ottavia Molinari, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Monte_Sciliar_-_Siusi.jpg

Sciliar summer full view: Francesco Zanardini, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Siusi-Schiliar-_panoramio.jpg

Complete Alpe di Siusi: luca.sartoni, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Val_Gardena%2C_Italy%3B_July_2020_%2812%29.jpg

Castelruth and its church: Klaus Graf, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Suedtirol_2010_033.jpg

Lac Fié allo Sciliar: Ladislav Luppa, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons // https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/V%C3%B6lser_Weiher_%281%29.jpg

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