Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm in German) is the largest high altitude alpine meadow in Europe. It’s known for its wonderful hiking trails and good skiing. Alpe di Siusi is not officially in Parco Naturale Sciliar-Catinaccio (Naturpark Schlern-Rosengarten), but it’s right next to it and is often associated with this Dolomite park. So it is a protected natural area.

Alpe di Siusi is in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Northern Italy. And it’s specifically in the Alto Adige part, which is also known as Südtirol in German. This region is very Germanic having been part of the Austro-Hungarian empire prior to WWI.

The towns of Siusi allo Sciliar (Seis am Schlern) and Castelrotto (Kastelruth) are good spots to stay to explore this high alpine meadow. Bolzano (Bozen) is the nearest large city and is about 25km away along some windy, scenic roads.

You can get to the towns by bus from Bolzano, or you can drive. But a car isn’t necessary as the bus system is good in this area.

You can hike up to the meadow from either Seis am Schlern or Kastelruth as there are trails from these towns.

But there are some far easier ways. There is actually a road up to Seiser Alm so you can drive. But parking costs quite a bit and the road closes from 9am to 5pm except to folks who are staying in one of the hotels there — because you can actually stay right on the meadow in the settlement of Compatsch (Compaccio). Buses run on a regular basis up to this settlement so you can take a bus. And this is the most economical choice at just a couple of euro each way.

The alternative is the cable car, which is more expensive but offers excellent views. If you are staying for a few days, or even a week or more, you can buy a pass for the cable car that is well worth it as it gives you multiple days and rides up and down.

The Sasso Lungo and Sasso Piatto peek over the rolling hills of Seiser Alm.

Compaccio: the starting point

Whether you take the bus or the cable car, you will begin in Compaccio if you are coming from Kastelruth or Seis am Schlern. You’ll find outdoor shops, a few cafes and restaurants and some hotels here. From Compatsch the trails fan out in many directions. There is a bus system here that can take you to other parts of Seiser Alm.

Compaccio/Compatsch

Compaccio to Saltria

This was my first trail in the Alpe di Siusi and it remains a favorite that I gravitate to when I don’t know where to go. It’s a lovely walk on trail #30 through some tree areas with views out to the Alpe. But the best is as you come around the corner and you see the Sasso Piatto and Sasso Lungo before you. From this valley and mountain viewpoint you descend to the settlement of Saltria where you’ll find a mountain hut and some other services. Now, it is a bit of a hike up from Saltria to that fabulous view as you retrace your steps on the way back.

Sasso Piatto and Sasso Lungo

Compaccio to Sattler Hut

From Castelrotto (Kastelruth) the trek to this hut is an easy walk and has some of the best views of the Sciliar. You can take trail #7 toward Santner then pick up trail #6 toward Panorama. At Panorama you can take #2 or you can stay on Trail #6 toward Laurin and then take a left toward Sattler. I preferred this 2nd choice although I don’t see a number for the trail on the trail map. But, really, you can’t get lost. I then came back along #2 and/or #13A to Panorama. This is nice loop walk with gorgeous views of the Schlern (Sciliar). And Sattler Hut is a wonderful spot to have a bite to eat or cool off with the beverage of your choice.

Sattler Hut

Compaccio to Saltner Hut

This is another trail similar to the above but it takes you closer to the Schlern. In fact, if you continued past Saltner Hut, you would take the trail up to the top of this 2450m peak that is the symbol of Alpe di Siusi.

To get to Saltner Hut you’ll start on the same #10/#7 trail from Compatsch. Take the #10 to the #5 and #6 ultimately picking up just the #5 to Saltner hut. There are more stunning views of the Sciliar and loads of flowers in summer. As you return you can retrace your steps or stay on trail #6 past the Panorama lift.

This is definitely one of the best hikes in Alpe di Siusi.

Trail to Saltner Hut

Schlern

Around the Bullaccia

The 3 trails I’ve mentioned all go straight or right once at Compaccio. This trail goes to the left so it heads in a different direction and you get some different views. You’ll begin on trail #14 out of Compaccio. Then you’ll pick up the trail that is simply labeled PU. Basically, you are circling this plateau called Bullaccia or Puflatsch in German. It’s another trail that is not particularly difficult, but it does have spots of uphill. What this trail offers are some incredible views over some of the towns. You’ll get views to Kastelruth as well as Ortisei/St Ulrich and Santa Cristina/Saint Christina in the Val Gardena. These are other towns with access to Alpe di Siusi although Castelrotto and Siusi allo Sciliar are better, in my opinion.

Anyway, this is delightful trail for sure and different from the others which is why it’s on this list. You’ll also get some magnificent views of Sasso Piatto and Sasso Lungo and the peaks beyond.

The trail around the Bullaccia or Puflatsch

Compaccio to Passo Duron 2204m

This may win the prize as my favorite hike in Alpe di Siusi. You begin as you would for the hike to Sattler hut, so you are following trail #7. Hike toward Baita Stella Alpina and then onto Almrosenhütte. The #7 trail joins with the #12 along this route. As I came to Almrosenhütte I saw signs for Mahlknechhütte and thought I’d keep hiking to this hut. I came to Mahlknechhütte and could see a trail wending its way up to what I could tell was a pass. I saw people hiking on the trail and knew I needed to go see what was there. So at Mahlknechhütte, you’ll go through a gated farm area where there are cows and horses. Follow that trail up to the pass. You won’t be disappointed. The views from here are stunning!It’s at this pass that you actually cross over into the park — Parco Naturale Sciliar-Catinaccio.In fact, you can see a wee bit of Marmolada, one of the taller peaks of the Dolomites, off in the distance. This is a longer hike and has more elevation gain. But the views from every part of this trail are breathtaking! And there are lots of places to stop for a bite to eat or even just to take a break, sit and take in the fabulous views.

Trail to the pass

There are three ways of leaving Ortisei by lift to gain height the easy way to start hiking around 2,000 - 2,500m

- The Seceda Cable Way
- The Resciesa Funicular
- The Ortisei - Alpe di Suisi Ropeway

• Single ride uphill € 22.00
• Single ride downhill € 22.00
• Round trip € 33.00

Dolomites: Ortisei or Castelrotto?

Well, they are only 11 miles away from each other, Kastleruth (Castlerotto) is the quainter of the two, it is the 'undiscovered' village of Rick Steve from decades ago and is hardly 'undiscovered' anymore, it's famous for its village bell that rings ever hour. Kastleruth is considered the 'gateway' to the Sieser Alm since it sits closer to it than Ortisei (but there is a chairlift to Sieser Alm from Ortisei too). I would not say there is a lot of difference scenery-wise between them being so close to each other and sitting basically in the same valley.

Should you try to do both locations? With 5-7 days you probably will need to, that's a lot of time for both, let alone just one of those places! Ortisei and Kastleruth are just small towns/villages, they both are pretty central places for people to base themselves to explore the area they sit in which is the Val Gardena. I would think a good amount of people staying in either of those towns are there to explore the Val Gardena area itself and not just the town.

Ortisei will be more central to more things, Castleruth further to the west will be more central to visiting only Sieser Alm.

For ideas of what to do there besides walking around the villages... the two biggest attractions are:

1) Near Castleruth the mega attraction is the Seiser Alm, of course, is a huge tourist draw for hikers (Maybe overhyped for tourists but to each their own), it's also a fun experience to rent E-bikes and explore it, you can rent them at the base and take them up with you or rent them at the top. (You can also stay in the smaller village of Siusi Seis just a couple of miles south of Castleruth, and walk to the tram that takes you up to the Seiser Alm)

2) In Ortisei the main mega attraction is the Seceda, taking the tram up to the top, hike around see the amazing scenery, drink and eat at the different rifugios, you can walk down into the nearby village of St. Cristina and take the bus #350 back to Ortisei if you are a tiny bit adventurous.

There are lots more things to do in the area you are looking at which I'm sure others will give you details of.

A good way to start figuring out what you want to do is google image search the things I named here to see how special they are - Seiser Alm, Seceda...