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Hiking Alpe di Siusi in Italy is exactly what I imagine wandering about the fabled grasslands and mountains of Heidi would be like. Only that in this case we are not in a children’s storybook but in the glorious Alpe di Siusi, Italy!
In being Europe’s largest mountain plateau, it is one of the most photographed spots in the Dolomites. It is no wonder I included it in my Bucket List Places to See in the Dolomites!
Chances are if you’ve seen pictures of lush rolling meadows with a charming mountain hut or two in the background, you’ve already seen Alpe di Siusi (*Seiser Alm in German).
So, what’s the big deal with an alpine pasture? – That’s just it, Alpe di Siusi is so much more than just meadows!
With over 60 hiking trails expanding 56 square kilometers at a maximum altitude of almost 3000m (at Sasso Piatto), you can admire many of the different mountain groups of the South Tyrol. From the breathtaking Catinaccio group and its Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park (Schlern-Rosengarten) to the Sassolungo Group (Langkofel), you can experience both stunning peaks and rippling prairies while hiking Alpe di Siusi.
This guide is meant to help you plan the practical aspects of visiting Alpe di Siusi. From how to get to Seiser Alm to which season to visit in, this post provides a series of tips to help ensure you have a wonderful and stress-free holiday in Val Gardena.
So, without further ado- let’s get to it!
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Hiking Alpe di Siusi Overview
So, the first item on our agenda is figuring out which trails to hike and then subsequently, which cable cars to take.
As previously mentioned, with over 60 different hiking trails weaving in and out of the forests and peaks of Alpe di Siusi, you definitely have your fair share to pick from.
Don’t worry if you’re not wanting to turn this excursion into another exhausting trek- there are indeed trails for all levels of expertise! For example, trail 7 starting in the town of Compaccio (Compatsch) is a very easy and even paved path that takes you through the green winding hills – perfect for a nice slow and peaceful countryside day.
This post however covers the loop-hike that starts in Compaccio and reaches the Alpe di Tires Rifugio. This hike is rather steep in certain parts, so I highly recommend you have some hiking experience.
Compaccio to Alpe di Tires
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Elevation difference: 800 m
Duration: 6hrs (however if you plan on stopping for pictures and having lunch calculate a least 6 hours- this is how much time we took)
Cable Car Station: Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway/ Seiser Alm Bahn
How to Get to Alpe di Siusi Italy
This might seem straightforward but Alpe di Siusi (Compaccio town) is actually closed to traffic from 9am to 5pm. Only those that have booked an accommodation inside the area can get a special permit that allows driving in and out during that window of time (and even then, you can only strictly drive to and from that accommodation).
Because of this, and depending on where you will be staying, you will have to plan accordingly how to get to Alpe di Siusi… and subsequently, by what time you should get there.
So, if you’re not staying in the town of Compaccio should you drive in to Alpe di Siusi or should you take a cable car? – Well, it depends on the hike that you choose and how late you want to stay.
Alpe di Siusi by Cable Car
Most cable cars in and out of Alpe di Siusi have a last run at around 7pm in high season (check time-schedules below). If you’re fine with leaving by that hour, then you really have no need to drive into Compaccio.
There are two main cable cars that make their way up to Alpe di Siusi: the Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway and the Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi Gondola. Depending on which hike you are interested in you will have to choose the appropriate cableway.
Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway (Seiseralmbaln)
This Cableway departs from the town of Siusi allo Scillar (Seis am Schlern) and arrives in the town of Compaccio (Compatsch). Thus, if you’re planning to embark on a hike that starts in Compaccio, this is the Cableway you need to take!
PARKING
To get to the Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway you’re going to want to type “Parking Sesier Alm Bahn” into your GPS. Here you will find an outdoor parking lot that is FREE!
OPENING HOURS & PRICES
Once you have parked, you will be right outside the Cableway Station where you can purchase your tickets to Compaccio. Bear in mind that the cableway is not open all year round and has different summer and winter timetables. Please make sure to visit the website for updated times to ensure the cable car is running.
Adults: One-way – 16€; Roundtrip – 24€
Juniors (8-16 years): One-way – 10€; Roundtrip – 14€
If you’re planning to stay in Val Gardena for multiple days, you might want to look into buying a Gardena Card. Depending on how many lifts you plan to take during your stay, this card may be more convenient.
Generally, in the summer the Cable Car operates from 8.00 to 18.00/19.00 depending on the month.
Ortisei – Alpe di Siusi Gondola Lift (Mont Sëuc)
This cable car departs from the town of Ortisei and arrives right up to the plateau. Thus, if your accommodation is in or close to Ortisei or if you want to start hiking already from within Seiser Alm (paths 9 or 6A), this is the cable way you should take.
PARKING
To get to the lift just type into your GPS, “Mont Sëuc Garage” and you’ll be led right to the paid parking structure.
PRICES
The station is right at the foot of the parking structure where you can purchase your tickets to the top. Always double-check timetables as the cable car doesn’t run all year round and is subject to change without notice.
Adults: One-way – 16,90€; Roundtrip – 24,90€
Juniors (8-14 years): One-way – 11,80€; Roundtrip – 17,40€
Driving to Alpe di Siusi
If you have no problem making it into Compaccio before 9 am and have your heart on staying for a sunset view, driving is the only option that allows you stay in the area that late (besides staying overnight in a rifugio or in a hotel in Alpe di Siusi).
You will drive through the Alpe di Siusi checkpoint (BEFORE 9AM) and will park at the Compaccio Parking Lot (Parkplatz P2). Parking here is a flat daily rate of 19€. You can then proceed directly on your hike following the appropriate trail signs.
When to Visit Alpi di Siusi Italy
When to visit Alpe di Siusi really depends on what kind of scenery you’re looking for and how much actual hiking you want to be doing.
The summer is when you will find beautiful alpine flowers in bloom and lush green meadows. All trails are open and safe for hiking. Bear in mind that July and August are high season and parking can get backed up quickly during these months.
If you’re more interested in a snow-filled winter wonderland or would love to indulge in some winter sports, then winter is definitely the season to go with. Note however that in the winter most trails are inaccessible because of ice.
Alpe di Siusi Hike to Rifugio Alpe di Tires – Step by Step Guide
Compaccio to Alpenhotel Panorama
After you take the Cable Car from Siusi you will arrive at the station in Compaccio. From here you are going to start looking for signs of Trail 7. This path is very easy and slightly uphill all along a paved road. Follow the path until you get to the Panorama Restaurant. Once you hit this crossroad you are going to want to turn right and look for trail 2.
Alpenhotel Panorama to Denti di Terrarossa (Rosszähne)
Once you’re on Trail 2, you’ll find that certain portions of the path in the beginning cut right through the middle of the meadows where you’ll walk on wooden gangplanks.
The first part of this portion of the hike is rather flat and incredibly gorgeous. You’ll get an up close and personal view of the adorable mountain huts as you make your way through the grasslands. We barely encountered any people and consequently got the chance to take some extraordinary photos right before the path started to ascend.
Once the path starts ascending, it pretty much gets steeper and steeper until you get to the wonderful crest of Rosszähne. This is definitely the most strenuous and time-consuming part of the hike, but I guarantee it is so worth it! I literally was not expecting the views we got once at the top.
As you get closer to the summit you will notice the red colored jagged and serrated peaks and pinnacles that so characterize the area. The name Denti di Terrarossa in fact comes from their distinct color and resemblance to horse teeth.
At the top you truly won’t believe your eyes. The dominating and massive Catinaccio mountain group quite suddenly drops into the scenery unexpectedly front and center. At 2,657 meters you will find the encircling views to be literally breathtaking- just you and the mountain. Take your time here to just soak it all in. *Note that there is quite a bit of wind at the top so make sure you pack a windbreaker and hat and scarf just in case!
Denti di Terrarossa to Alpe di Tires
Once you’ve gotten enough time at the Denti di Terrarossa viewpoint you are going to continue to follow the footpath down to the Alpe di Tires Rifugio. You will start to see the charming hut and its red roof from a distance.
This mountain hut is a great place to have lunch as it serves some of the most refined food in the area. Alpe di Tires is also a fantastic place to stay overnight if you want to catch a beautiful sunrise or are interested in hut-to-hut hiking. The refuge is very cozy, almost entirely finished with wood and offers all the amenities you might need. Check out their website to book accommodation ahead of time!
Alpe di Tires back to Compaccio
Once you’ve had a nice big lunch and radler (traditional Tyrolean beer with lime soda), or possibly a mulled wine if it is particularly cold, you’re going to want to start your way back down. We continued our descent from Alpe di Tires via path 4. Now this part of the hike can be really brutal on the knees. It can get pretty steep downhill, so I do suggest bringing along some collapsible hiking poles to help cushion your descent.
ANIMAL SPOTTING! Look for marmots or listen for their whistles as you hike back. We spot so many in the vicinity of the hut on our way down.
After about a half hour, you will briefly switch to Trail 8 and then back to Trail 7 where you will proceed to make your way all the way back to the Compaccio Cable Station. This portion of the hikes is a real change of scenery as you will briefly pass thorough a forest.
You will also most likely get to see many grazing cows and horses on your way back. We were greeted by the friendliest of donkeys that followed us a good portion of the way back. She was the cutest, I wanted to take her home with me!
What to Bring/Wear When Hiking Alpe di Siusi
Before you get out on the trails in Alpe di Siusi it’s important you bring with you a few essentials.
Tabacco Map 5 – Val Gardena & Alpe di Siusi: This is the only brand of map you should buy in the area. The cable cars do have some useful maps, but some don’t include all the trails. In fact, the map we got at the cable station did not show the trails we needed to take on our return from Alpe di Tires.
Because service is almost always limited in the mountains, I highly suggest you buy a map to always have on hand (don’t rely on your phone!). We tried several brands of maps but Tabacco always outweighed other brands (such as Kompass). Tabacco has a whole collection so if you are going to be in other areas check out their other volumes as well!
WHAT TO WEAR
Besides your standard hiking gear, I do suggest you bring along a windbreaker as it can get pretty windy at certain altitudes (this will depend obviously on which hikes you choose). I also urge you to get some collapsible hiking poles to bear the brunt of the descent. Trust me, your knees with thank you!
Where to Stay in Alpe di Siusi Italy
When hiking Alpe di Siusi the most convenient and obvious answer for accommodation would be to stay overnight in Compaccio or right on the plateau (but it’s generally not the most affordable option). Other great base towns are Ortisei, Santa Cristina or Siusi allo Sciliar.
Alpe di Siusi Hotels
Luxury
Located in Siusi allo Sciliar, just a stone’s throw from the Alpe di Siusi Cable Car, this luxury hotel offers gourmet meals, an outstanding spa, and daily excursions.
Located in Alpe di Siusi this alpine hotel is right at the foot of the plateau. With its amazing views and wonderful spa, this is the perfect place to unwind.
Midrange – Monte Pana Dolomites Hotel
Tucked away in the valley of Santa Cristina you will find this little gem. Complete with a spectacular wellness center and encircling mountain views, this is a great place to relax after an exhausting day hiking.
Although further way (about 30 minutes’ drive from Ortisei) this budget hotel deserves to be on the list for its incredibly convenient price (rooms under 100 euro a night). We much enjoyed our stay here and the breakfast room has some pretty stellar views.
So, there it is guys… your complete guide to hiking Alpe di Siusi Italy. From idyllic pastures to challenging hikes you could honestly spend a week here and not do the same thing twice! I plan to go back to add more detailed hikes to this guide… but until then I hope this will do in helping you plan your trip to Seiser Alm. If you have any further suggestions, I would love to hear from you in the comments!
Don’t forget to follow along on my adventures at @ladolcefitvita…
Happy Trekking!
Need more inspiration for your trip to the Dolomites? Check out this guides:
- Lago di Carezza – Hiking the Rainbow Lake in the Dolomites
- Everything you Need to Know Before Going to the Dolomites
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This blog post is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. Please read my full disclosure for further information.
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