Alpe di Siusi

Updated October 2026 · Sources: Seiser Alm Marketing, Seiser Alm Bahn, Dolomiti Superski, Val Gardena Marketing

Find a place to stay on the Alpe di Siusi

The Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm in German, Mont Sëuc in Ladin) is a high plateau of meadows and pastures in South Tyrol, in the Italian Dolomites. It covers more than 50 km² between Val Gardena to the north, the Sassolungo (Langkofel) to the north-east and the Sciliar (Schlern) to the south. Its main hub, Compaccio, sits at about 1,850 m. Most of the plateau belongs to the municipality of Castelrotto.

It is not a village: up top you find wooden huts, alpine farms, a few hotels and a huge network of trails. Two cable cars go up, from Siusi and from Ortisei. While the Siusi cable car is running, the road is closed to private cars from 9am to 5pm. Since 29 June 2026 you also need an online parking booking to drive up outside those hours.

Bolzano airport is about 31 km away, Verona 173 km, Venice 207 km and Munich 291 km. In summer it is one of the easiest places in the Dolomites to hike: wide paths, little climbing and big rock walls all around. In winter it has 62 km of mostly easy pistes linked to Val Gardena, plus about 80 km of cross-country trails.

Split the plateau in two: Compaccio and the Bullaccia in the west, Saltria, the Sassolungo and the Sasso Piatto in the east.

Compaccio

Compaccio (Compatsch) is where the cable car from Siusi arrives and the centre of the plateau. Here you find the P2 car park, the bus stop, some hotels and shops, and the start of many trails and ski lifts. It is the obvious place to begin on a first visit.

From here you already see the Sciliar to the south and the Sassolungo to the east. If you are short on time, an hour on the surrounding meadows is enough.

Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto

The Sassolungo (3,181 m) closes the plateau to the north-east and is the peak in almost every photo of the Alpe di Siusi. Next to it stands the broader Sasso Piatto with its tilted summit. To see them up close, go to Saltria (1,675 m), where the trails to the huts at their base begin.

The Sciliar

The Sciliar is the flat-topped massif that closes the plateau to the south. Its highest point, Monte Pez, is about 2,560 m. It is the local landmark: you see it from Castelrotto, Siusi and Fiè, and it gives those villages their full names (“allo Sciliar”).

Bullaccia and the Witches’ Benches

The Bullaccia (Puflatsch, 2,176 m) is the viewpoint hill above Compaccio. On its western side are the Witches’ Benches, large porphyry boulders tied to a local legend. A little further on, the Fillner Cross looks down on Val Gardena and across to the Puez-Odle and Sella groups.

You reach both on the family-friendly loop described below. It works in winter too.

Saltria

Saltria is the quietest part of the plateau, in the east, in a hollow of woods and meadows below the Sassolungo. Get there on the Almbus from Compaccio or on foot. It is the start of the loops around the Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto and of the climb to the Molignon hut.

Huts and alpine farms

Wooden huts scattered across the meadows and summer farms where cows and horses graze are the typical Alpe di Siusi landscape. Some farms serve food along the trails.

This is working pasture: close gates behind you and keep dogs on a lead near the animals.

Mont Sëuc, the arrival from Ortisei

On the northern edge of the plateau, the cable car from Ortisei arrives at Mont Sëuc, at about 2,000 m. It is the easiest way up if you are staying in Val Gardena. For the village itself, see our page on Ortisei.

Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park

Part of the plateau lies in the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park, set up in 1974 and the oldest in South Tyrol; the rest is a protected landscape area. That is why traffic is restricted and camping is banned.

Castelrotto

Castelrotto (Kastelruth) is the main village below the plateau, just over 1,000 m. It is listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” and its baroque bell tower is 88 m tall. The centre around the square takes an hour to explore and makes a good stop before or after going up.

Siusi allo Sciliar

Siusi (Seis am Schlern), part of the municipality of Castelrotto, is the village where the cable car to Compaccio starts. The valley station is at 1,015 m, at Via Sciliar 39, with large car parks and a bus stop.

Lake Fiè

Below the plateau, above Fiè allo Sciliar, the small Lake Fiè sits at 1,036 m and is at most 3.5 m deep. A forest lake with the Sciliar behind it, where people swim in summer. A good half day when the weather up high is unsettled.

There are three ways: the cable car from Siusi, the cable car from Ortisei, or the road, with strict rules. Coming from the south or Bolzano, use Siusi; from Val Gardena, use Ortisei.

Siusi – Alpe di Siusi cable car

It runs from Siusi (1,015 m) to Compaccio (about 1,850 m) in about 15 minutes. In summer 2026 it operated from 22 May to 2 November, 8am to 6pm, and until 7pm from 7 June to 6 September. For winter 2026/27 it is scheduled from 4 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, 8am to 6pm.

Summer 2026 fares: adults €21 one way, €30 return; families (two adults with children) €46 and €65; juniors born 2008–2017 €13 and €18; children born 2018 or later free. Dogs and bikes pay extra. In winter, the Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi ski pass and the Dolomiti Superski include the cable car. Check current fares on the official Seiser Alm website.

Ortisei – Alpe di Siusi cable car

It leaves from the Oltretorrente district of Ortisei and arrives at Mont Sëuc. In 2026 it ran from 1 May to 2 November, 8:30am to 5pm (to 6pm from 6 June to 16 October). In winter it reopens with the ski season and links straight into the Val Gardena ski area.

By car: the road rules

The road from Siusi to Compaccio passes the San Valentino checkpoint. While the Siusi cable car is running, driving up is banned from 9am to 5pm. Before 9am and after 5pm you can drive up, but only as far as Compaccio. Driving down is always allowed.

Since 29 June 2026 there is another rule: you must have booked a space online at P1 Spitzbühl or P2 Compaccio. You can book up to six days ahead, and the booking works as your access permit at the checkpoint. In summer 2026, P1 cost €15 a day (a 30-minute uphill walk to Compaccio) and P2 €30.

If you are staying on the plateau, your host gives you a special permit: on arrival and departure days you can drive up at any time. In the shoulder seasons (mid-April to mid-May and early November to early December) the cable car is closed and the road is open all day. For winter 2026/27, check the rules on the official access page before you go.

Buses on the plateau

The Almbus (line 11) links Compaccio and Saltria, and the Seiser Alm Express (line 10) also serves the plateau. Lines 2 (from Fiè) and 3 (from Castelrotto) run to the Siusi cable car. Bikes are not allowed on these buses.

Figures come from the official route sheets; times exclude breaks. Every start point is reachable by cable car or bus.

Bullaccia and Witches’ Benches loop

• Start and finish: Compaccio
• Trails 14, PU and 24
• 9.1 km, 3 h 10 min, 340 m up and down
• Easy, good for children

You pass the Bullaccia hut (1,950 m) and the Arnica hut (2,054 m), reach the Witches’ Benches and the Fillner Cross, then return on a short, steep section. Possible all year round.

Up the Sciliar from Compaccio

• Start and finish: Compaccio
• Trails 10, 5 and 1
• 17 km, about 6 h, 934 m of ascent
• Moderate, you need to be fit

Via the Saltner farm (1,731 m) and Moarboden (2,227 m) you climb onto the Sciliar plateau up to Monte Pez. It is a full day: start early. Alternatively, descend to Fiè on trail 1 and return by bus.

Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto loop from Saltria

• Start and finish: Saltria
• 17.4 km, 5 h 20 min
• Moderate

The classic loop around both massifs, past the Sassolungo hut (2,253 m). From Val Gardena there is the Sassolungo circuit from Monte Pana, above Santa Cristina: 17.3 km, 842 m of ascent, difficult.

Saltria to the Sasso Piatto hut

• Start and finish: Saltria
• 12 km, 4 h, 648 m of ascent
• Difficult, high point 2,304 m

Climb to the Zallinger hut and on to the Sasso Piatto hut below the wall. From here you overlook the whole plateau as far as the Sciliar.

Mont Sëuc to the Molignon hut

• Start and finish: Mont Sëuc (cable car from Ortisei)
• 17.7 km, 5 h 20 min, 651 m of ascent
• Moderate to demanding

Ideal if you are based in Val Gardena: cross the plateau, climb to the Molignon hut (2,054 m), come back via Saltria and reach Mont Sëuc before the last cable car.

Easy walks

The Hans and Paula Steger trail starts in Compaccio, passes the small church of St Francis and continues across the meadows towards Saltria. Take the Almbus back.

The Alpe di Siusi has 62 km of pistes and more than 20 lifts, linked to Val Gardena: 181 km and 79 lifts in total. The runs are mostly easy and intermediate, on open slopes: ideal for learning and for families. Strong skiers will find more in Val Gardena and on the Sellaronda.

The lift season runs from early December to early April. A Dolomiti Superski day pass costs €89 for an adult in high season 2026/27; there is also a cheaper Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi-only pass.

Cross-country skiing

About 80 km of trails, open daily from 8:30am to 5pm (closed outside those hours), with a trail fee. From Monte Pana above Santa Cristina, a 4.1 km link trail comes up to the plateau, for experienced skiers only.

Tobogganing, snowshoeing and horse-drawn sleighs

The plateau has several toboggan runs, including those at the Bullaccia, the Zallinger hut and the Molignon hut. Never sled on ski or cross-country trails, and wear a helmet. On snowshoes, try the Bullaccia loop or the prepared paths to the farms.

In winter, horse-drawn sleigh rides are also on offer: book locally, ask at the Compaccio information office.

• Late May – June: meadows in flower, fewer people; snow possible on the highest trails.
• July – August: high season, cable car until 7pm. Start early.
• September – October: clear air and autumn colours. From 7 September the cable car closes at 6pm.
• December – April: skiing, cross-country, tobogganing, snowshoeing.
• Avoid: mid-April to mid-May and early November to early December, when lifts are closed and many huts shut.

• Ortisei: the main village of Val Gardena, straight down the cable car.
• Seceda: the most photographed ridge in the Dolomites, across Val Gardena.
• Selva di Val Gardena: the Vallunga valley and the Gardena and Sella passes.
• Lake Carezza: the lake below the Latemar, on the far side of the Catinaccio.
• Val di Funes: the Odle peaks seen from Santa Maddalena, north of Val Gardena.
• Bressanone: a bishop’s town and a handy base by train.
• Presule Castle, above Fiè allo Sciliar.

On the plateau or in a village below: it depends on how much you want to use the car.

• On the plateau (Compaccio, Saltria): for walking or skiing from the door, early in the morning and in the evening. Hotels and a few huts, higher prices. With your host’s permit you can drive up on arrival and departure days.
• Siusi allo Sciliar: the most practical base without a car up top, since the cable car leaves from the village. Hotels, guesthouses and apartments.
• Castelrotto: the liveliest village, with shops and restaurants; good for families and longer stays. Bus 3 goes to the cable car.
• Fiè allo Sciliar: lower and quieter, close to the Bolzano Nord exit and Lake Fiè. Good if you arrive from the south or want to visit Bolzano too.
• Ortisei and Val Gardena: to combine the Alpe di Siusi, Seceda and the Sellaronda. Go up by the Ortisei cable car.

In July, August and over Christmas the plateau books up early: reserve well ahead.

By car

Take the Brenner motorway (A22). Coming from the north, exit at Chiusa: 17 km to Castelrotto, 18 km to Siusi, 25 km to the Alpe di Siusi. Coming from the south, exit at Bolzano Nord: 12 km to Fiè, 18 km to Siusi, 22 km to Castelrotto, 29 km to the plateau. If you drive in from Austria, roadworks on the Lueg bridge have reduced traffic to one lane each way since January 2025.

By train

The nearest station, Ponte Gardena, only has regional trains. Frecce, Intercity, Eurocity and Railjet trains stop at Bolzano and sometimes Bressanone. From the stations it is about 30 km by bus.

By bus

Line 170 links Bolzano with the Alpe di Siusi area; from Bolzano, Chiusa, Bressanone or Ponte Gardena stations it takes 30 to 50 minutes depending on where you are going. Lines 2 (from Fiè) and 3 (from Castelrotto) go to the Siusi cable car. Timetables on Südtirolmobil.

By plane

Distances to the area: Bolzano 31 km, Innsbruck 109 km, Verona 173 km, Venice 207 km, Treviso 213 km, Bergamo 257 km, Milan Linate 290 km, Munich 291 km, Milan Malpensa 341 km. From Bolzano airport, bus 120 runs to the bus station, where line 170 starts. From the bigger airports, a private transfer or a hire car is the simplest option.

Parking

• Siusi valley station: outdoor car park P1 free (no parking 10pm–6:30am); Walderer garage €2 per hour, €8 per day; cable car garage €2.50 per hour, €12 per day.
• P1 Spitzbühl: €15 per day (summer 2026), booking required; 30 minutes on foot to Compaccio.
• P2 Compaccio: €30 per day (summer 2026), booking required; €15 in the shoulder seasons.
• No parking up top at night (11pm–5am); camping and sleeping in vehicles are banned.

Photos from Wikimedia Commons: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder.

Feel free to use my photos, but ple (CC BY-SA 3.0), This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder.

Feel free to use my photos, but ple (CC BY-SA 3.0), H. Zell (CC BY-SA 3.0), Llez (CC BY-SA 3.0), H. Zell (CC BY-SA 3.0), This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder.

Feel free to use my photos, but ple (CC BY-SA 3.0), This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder.
Feel free to use my photos, but plea (CC BY-SA 3.0), H. Zell (CC BY-SA 3.0).