Alpe di Siusi Hiking: Best Trails, Schlern and Hut-to-Hut Routes

Alpe di Siusi hiking means wide, well-marked paths across open meadows, with mountain huts along the way. The plateau is often called Europe's largest high alpine pasture, covering more than 50 square kilometres. It sits inside the Schlern-Rosengarten nature park, South Tyrol's oldest nature park, founded in 1974, and forms part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage area.

Alpe di Siusi and Seiser Alm are the same place: the first is the Italian name, the second is German. Both names appear on signs and maps throughout the area.

The plateau suits a wide range of walkers. Families and first-time Dolomites hikers find plenty of easy, level paths with huts along the way for a break. More experienced walkers use the Alpe di Siusi as a gateway to the Schlern above or as the starting point for multi-day hut-to-hut routes into the Rosengarten. For a full picture of the wider region, the guide to hiking in South Tyrol covers the many other routes nearby.

The Alpe di Siusi lies in South Tyrol, northern Italy, east of Bolzano, between Val Gardena to the north and the Schlern to the south. The nearest towns are Seis (Siusi), Kastelruth (Castelrotto) and Ortisei (St. Ulrich) in Val Gardena.

There are several ways to reach the plateau:

The Seiser Alm cable car runs from Seis to Compatsch, covering about 4.3 kilometres in around 15 minutes. Compatsch is the main village on the plateau and the starting point of most walks.

The gondola from Ortisei in Val Gardena connects to the northern edge of the plateau at the Mont Sëuc mountain station, at about 2,005 metres. Several of the hikes described below begin here.

Buses run in season via Kastelruth to Compatsch.

On foot from the valley is possible but involves a long climb of several hours.

One practical point: the road from Seis to Compatsch is closed to private cars going uphill during the day in the main season, roughly between 09:00 and 17:00. Check current rules locally before you drive. There is no restriction going downhill.

Most Alpe di Siusi hikes start at Compatsch, at the Mont Sëuc gondola station from Ortisei, or in Saltria. The six routes below cover the full range, from a short family walk to a full-day ridge circuit.

Hans and Paula Steger path: the easy family walk

Start: Compatsch | End: Saltria (1,675 m) | Distance: about 4.65 km | Difficulty: easy, pram-friendly

This nature and culture trail has information boards along the way and is suitable for prams. Buses run along the road, so you can easily return from Saltria to Compatsch without retracing your steps. A good first walk on the Alpe di Siusi for families with young children.

Puflatsch round and the Hexenbänke

Start: Compatsch (Seiser Alm cable car top station) | Distance: about 10 km, loop | High point: Puflatsch (Bullaccia) at 2,176 m

The Puflatsch round is the classic Alpe di Siusi hike for wide views over the plateau. The loop climbs from Compatsch to the Puflatsch, passes the rock benches known as the Hexenbänke (Witches' Benches) and the Puflatschhütte and Arnikahütte.

Mont Sëuc, Saltria and Compatsch circuit

Start: Mont Sëuc gondola top station, Ortisei (about 2,005 m) | Distance: 14.4 km loop | Time: about 4 h 25 | Elevation: +483 m / -483 m | Difficulty: easy

This circuit connects the northern and southern edges of the plateau in one long, easy day. From the Mont Sëuc station the route descends through open meadows to Saltria at 1,675 m, then follows the Hans and Paula Steger path to Compatsch before climbing back to the gondola station. It is a good first long walk for anyone arriving from Val Gardena.

Mahlknechthütte round from Mont Sëuc

Start: Mont Sëuc gondola top station | Distance: 17.7 km loop | Time: 5 h 20 | Elevation: +651 m / -651 m | Range: 1,675 m (Saltria) to 2,081 m

A longer day on the plateau, this circuit adds the Mahlknechthütte (Rifugio Molignon, 2,054 m) to the standard Mont Sëuc loop. The hut sits below the Rosszähne (Denti di Terrarossa). Plan this as a full day.

Around the Langkofel and Plattkofel

Distance: about 17 km loop

This circuit runs along the foot of the Langkofel (3,181 m) and the Plattkofel (2,969 m), the two peaks on the eastern side of the Alpe di Siusi. The route passes the Plattkofelhütte. Allow a full day; this walk is best suited to fit hikers comfortable with longer distances.

Friedrich-August-Weg to the Plattkofelhütte

Start: Saltria | Total distance: about 10.5 km | High point: Plattkofelhütte (Rifugio Sasso Piatto, 2,297 m)

This classic Seiser Alm hike climbs from Saltria to the Plattkofelhütte and continues to the Sella Pass. The Florian chairlift from Saltria can shorten the initial climb for those who prefer to save their energy for the higher section.

Yes, you can hike from the Alpe di Siusi up to the Schlern in one long day, or more comfortably with a night at the Schlernhaus. The climb from Compatsch follows a clear path past the Saltner Hütte, then becomes steeper as it rises onto the Schlern plateau. The stage distance is 8.3 km with 740 metres of ascent and 140 metres of descent. The terrain requires sure-footedness and a reasonable level of fitness, but there is no climbing or technical equipment involved.

The Petz summit stands at 2,563 m and is about 20 minutes above the Schlernhaus.

The Schlernhaus: sleeping on top of the Schlern

The Schlernhaus (Rifugio Bolzano) at 2,457 m is one of the oldest mountain huts in South Tyrol. Spending a night here means sunrise above the Alpe di Siusi and a quiet morning on the plateau before other day hikers arrive. Book well ahead in July and August. Our Family-Friendly Alpe di Siusi - Schlern Trek begins with this stage.

From the Schlernhaus the route continues along the rocky flanks below the Roterdspitze and crosses the Rosszahnscharte (Forcella Denti di Terrarossa) at about 2,499 m. The stage to the Tierser Alpl hut (about 2,440 m) covers 5.5 km with 260 metres of ascent and 280 metres of descent.

The Tierser Alpl marks the entrance to the Rosengarten (Catinaccio), the red rock massif of the Rosengarten Dolomites. According to the legend of King Laurin, the slopes were once covered with red roses, which gave the group its German name, Rosengarten (rose garden). The Maximilian via ferrata begins at the Tierser Alpl; it is not part of our treks.

The return stage from the Tierser Alpl to Compatsch covers 9.1 km with just 70 metres of ascent and 670 metres of descent, running past the Goldknopf viewpoint and across the long, open meadows back to the plateau.

On the plateau itself, most Alpe di Siusi hikes are easy. The paths are wide, well-marked and largely flat, with enough huts along the way to stop whenever needed. Families, older walkers and those new to the Dolomites will feel comfortable on the Hans and Paula Steger path, the Puflatsch round and the Mont Sëuc circuit.

The climb to the Schlern and the crossing to the Tierser Alpl are a step up. The paths become steeper and stonier above 2,000 metres, and the altitude reaches around 2,400 to 2,500 metres. This terrain suits walkers who are comfortable on uneven, rocky ground.

For all Alpe di Siusi hiking, good walking shoes or boots with grip are important. Trainers work on the lower plateau paths in dry conditions, but a boot with ankle support and a grippy sole makes a real difference above 2,000 metres. Poles reduce the impact on the knees during descents and help with balance on loose sections.

The summer hiking season runs roughly from June to early October, when the mountain huts are open. Each part of the season has a different character.

Early summer brings the alpine flowers on the meadows and fewer people than August.

July and August are the busiest months. Starting early in the morning, by 07:00 or 08:00, lets you reach the higher sections before afternoon weather builds. Thunderstorms are common on the Alpe di Siusi in summer, typically developing in the afternoon; this is a practical reason to plan longer hikes so that you reach your hut or your descent by early afternoon.

September is quieter than midsummer, a good month for Seiser Alm hiking.

For current weather on each section of your route, the Bookatrekking app shows the forecast per hut based on its exact coordinates. This makes it straightforward to decide each morning whether the day's plan remains sensible.

If you want to sleep in the mountains rather than riding the cable car down every evening, a hut-to-hut route is the natural next step from a day hike. We offer two self-guided treks that start on the Alpe di Siusi and go progressively further into the mountains.

The Family-Friendly Alpe di Siusi - Schlern Trek covers 3 days and 22.9 km in total. Day 1 goes from Compatsch to the Schlernhaus (8.3 km, +740 m, past the Saltner Hütte). Day 2 crosses from the Schlernhaus to the Tierser Alpl (5.5 km, +260 m, below the Roterdspitze and over the Rosszahnscharte). Day 3 returns across the meadows from the Tierser Alpl to Compatsch (9.1 km, +70 m, via the Goldknopf). The average hiking time is about 3 hours 30 per day. From 345 euros per person.

The Intermediate Alpe di Siusi - Catinaccio Trek covers 4 days and 41.2 km in total, with 2,140 metres of ascent and 2,820 metres of descent across the four stages. Day 1 is the same climb to the Schlernhaus (8.3 km, +740 m). Day 2 continues to the Plattkofelhütte (12 km, +460 m). Day 3 crosses the Antermoia pass to Rifugio Antermoia beside the lake (8.4 km, +660 m). Day 4 descends via Passo Principe and the Ciamin valley to St. Zyprian (12.5 km, +280 m / -1,620 m), with a steeper technical section around 3 km into the stage. This trek suits walkers with experience on rocky terrain and good stamina for the long final descent. From 475 euros per person.

Rosengarten hut-to-hut treks for families

The Rosengarten Dolomites have their own set of hut-to-hut routes that suit families and those who want to focus on the Catinaccio massif rather than the Schlern approach. The Kleiner Rosengarten in 3 days is a loop from the Kölner Hütte via Rifugio Vajolet and Rifugio Negritella (15.2 km total), well suited to families with older children who have some mountain experience, from 325 euros per person. The Little Rosengarten in 4 days adds Rifugio Roda di Vael and the Grasleitenhütte for 26.5 km total, from 410 euros per person. The Family-Friendly Rosengarten Route begins from Vigo di Fassa with the cable car, visiting Rifugio Negritella and Rifugio Vajolet over 22.5 km, from 320 euros per person. A full overview of all our routes in the range is on the hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites page.

All our Alpe di Siusi and Rosengarten treks are self-guided: there is no leader, and you walk at your own pace. Here is what is arranged when you book through us:

Your hut nights are booked for you. The standard accommodation is a dormitory; private rooms are available on request at extra cost where the hut offers them. All huts include half board: dinner in the evening and breakfast before you set off. Lunch is not included. You can buy lunch at huts along the route, or ask the hut staff the evening before to prepare a packed lunch for the next day.

Our trekking app gives you route descriptions, hiking maps, GPS navigation that works offline, elevation profiles and GPX files for each stage. It also shows the current weather forecast per hut, based on the hut's own coordinates.

What is not included: travel to and from the starting point; buses, taxis, cable cars and gondolas during the trek; lunch; travel insurance; any personal expenses. There is no luggage transport on these treks: you carry a light backpack with your overnight kit.

For an idea of what to eat at the huts, the guide to what to eat and drink in the Dolomites covers the hearty mountain food that South Tyrolean huts are known for.

Both the Alpe di Siusi and Seceda are reached from Val Gardena, but combining them well in a single day is rushed. The Alpe di Siusi is a full destination on its own, and so is Seceda. A better plan is one day on the plateau and one day on the Seceda ridgeline. The guide to hiking to Seceda explains the routes. Our 2-day Seceda mini hut-to-hut starts in Selva, climbs to Rifugio Puez, continues to Rifugio Firenze and finishes at Seceda, covering 20.1 km over two days. Note that a private path section carries a small fee and the cable car down to Ortisei is at your own cost. From 160 euros per person.

For longer routes, the Alta Via 1 is the classic long-distance Dolomites route. The overview of hut-to-hut tours in South Tyrol covers other multi-day options in the wider region. The King Laurin legend behind the Rosengarten's red glow is part of the broader story told in the guide to South Tyrolean and Ladin culture. And the alpine flowers on the Alpe di Siusi meadows are described in the guide to flora and fauna in the Dolomites.