With the unmistakable silhouette of the Schlern, the Seiser Alm is one of the most fascinating landscapes in the Dolomites and one of the most famous hiking and winter sports destinations in Europe. Numerous legends and tales of witches and other creatures said to have haunted this area lend a touch of magic to Europe’s largest high-altitude alpine pasture.

Accessibility

From Bolzano North, take the main road for a few kilometres towards the Brenner Pass until you reach Blumau, where you turn off towards the Schlern area/Alpe di Siusi. A winding road leads you to Siusi allo Schlern. A regular shuttle service and a modern, accessible gondola lift take day visitors from Seis am Schlern up to the Seiser Alm (Compatsch). Access to the Seiser Alm by car is restricted (except for visitors with disabilities and hotel guests staying on the Seiser Alm).

Description

From Siusi allo Sciliar, we take the accessible cable car to the starting point at Kompatsch on the Alpe di Siusi. Near the top station, we follow a small gravel path down to the Puflatsch cable car (gradient approx. 15%). Surrounded by vast mountain meadows, we enjoy the peace and quiet of Europe’s largest high-altitude pasture. The Seiser Alm is a true paradise for mountain lovers in both winter and summer. The accessible Puflatsch cable car takes us up to 2,119 m. Near the top station is the Engelrast, a magnificent vantage point with a few wooden benches offering a 360° panoramic view of the Schlern, the Plattkofel and the Langkofel. Over the gentle hills of Puflatsch, we follow a wide, gravel-surfaced footpath up to a vast plateau (gradient approx. 10%). After a fairly short stretch of flat terrain, the descent to the Arnika Hut (2062 m) finally begins. In this section, the path winds its way over a few small hillocks and subsequently features a steep gradient in places. From the Arnika Hut, a narrow, steep footpath leads over a bumpy ascent (wooden gate) to a wooden cross (2077 m). From this hilltop, equipped with benches and tables, we enjoy a magnificent view of Castelrotto, as well as Lajen and the surrounding area. The return journey follows the same route.