The reason we’re writing yet another Alpe di Siusi hiking guide is that we wanted to create a scenic circuit trail that you can do from either the Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi gondola mountain station, or Compaccio. Furthermore, we wanted to recommend a route that stays on the Alpe di Siusi plateau the whole time. This Alpe di Siusi hike combines the best parts of the Alpe di Siusi-Monte Pana Trail with the best stretch of the Hans and Paula Steger Trail. It ambles across rolling meadows and mountain pastures; it doesn’t scale mountains, or descend to the valley.  Throughout the hike, there are sweeping views of the impressive Sassolungo/Langkofel Group, Catinaccio/Rosengarten Group, the Sciliar/Schlern Group, and even the Odle/Geisler Group. This satisfying Alpe di Siusi hiking trail also steers you to some of the most celebrated gourmet alpine pasture huts on the plateau, including Rauchhütte, Gostner Schwaige, and Baita Sanon.

Courtesy of www.moonhoneytravel.com

Exit the Mont Sëuc gondola (which leads from Oltretorrente near Ortisei to Mt Piz) mountain station and head left, following trail 9 to Saltria. Saltria is a small settlement on Alpe di Siusi, located at an elevation of 1675 meters. It’s also the lowest point of the plateau.  So, when you hike from the Mont Sëuc mountain station (2005 meters) to Saltria, you’ll be hiking downhill almost the whole time. 

Trail 9, which is a road initially, descends to the Schgaguler Schwaige alpine pasture hut/restaurant (15 minutes). Continue following trail 9 in the direction of Saltria, signed 50 minutes. The path wraps around Sporthotel Sonne and then continues south towards the Catinaccio/Rosengarten range. Trail 9 descends to a stream and then makes a short counter ascent, before easing.

As you cross the rolling Alpe di Siusi meadows, Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto dominate the view to the southeast and the Catinaccio and Sciliar mountains dominate the views directly south and to the southwest. 

To the north, views extend to Monte Pic, Seceda, and the Geisler Group.

When the trail intersects with bike path 19, continue straight on trail 9.

The trail effortlessly slides down to Saltria, home to a cluster of mountain huts like Radauer Schwaige and Saltner Schwaige and hotels like Hotel Saltria, Sporthotel Floralpina, and Brunelle Seiser Alm Lodge.

The hike continues northwest along the Steger Path (trail 30).  Turn right on the paved road, which links Saltria with Compaccio. Don’t follow the road leading south to Sporthotel Floralpina.After 300 meters (5 minutes), veer left on trail 30, leaving the road.  The Steger Weg steadily ascends rolling meadows up to the Wiedner Eck bus stop (35 minutes). 

Along the way, you’ll pass through the Römer mountain pasture, where cattle graze freely in summer.  Here, multiple paths intersect. We recommend detouring to Rauchhütte (10 minutes) for homemade pasta, regional wine, and heart-expanding terrace views.

Turn right on the Compaccio-Saltria road and the hut will be on your left in 550 meters.

After lunch at Rauchhütte, return to the Wiedner Eck bus stop and continue following the well-groomed trail 30 up to Hotel Steger Dellai. 

Along the way, you can also detour to Gostner Schwaige, another excellent alpine pasture hut.

To detour to Gostner Schwaige, turn left on 30a and shortly thereafter right on 30b.

The way to Baita Sanon initially follows a paved road. There’s no traffic, aside from the occasional bus and horse-drawn carriage.  Pass the pond near Hotel Steger Dellai and follow the paved hotel track down to the road.  Turn right onto the sidewalk in the direction of Sanonhütte/Baita Sanon (trail 3, signed 35 minutes). 

Note: If you turn left, you’ll end up in Compaccio.

Follow the sidewalk/road for 1.1 km. When the paved road divides, continue left in the direction of Piz (trail 6 on maps).  Shortly thereafter, turn right on trail 6B to Sanonhütte/Baita Sanon. Trail 6B magically meanders across wildflower-carpeted meadows to Baita Sanon, a happily situated hut facing Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto.

Looking north, you’ll see Monte Pic, the Geisler Peaks, Monte Stevia, Piz Duleda, and Col dala Pieres. 

Trail 6B wanders between hay huts to Sporthotel Sonne (20 minutes).

This heavenly stretch of path affords sweeping views of the Sciliar/Schlern, Rosengarten/Catinaccio, and Sassolungo/Langkofel mountains, spectacularly colliding with the Swiss-pine-studded meadows.