The Schlern / Sciliar

Although it is only 2,564 metres high, the Sciliar is considered one of the most symbolic mountains in South Tyrol. The steep rock face of the mountain massif and the Santner and Euringer peaks give the Sciliar its unmistakable appearance, making it one of the most famous photo subjects in the Dolomites. The legendary mountain towers mightily above the villages of Castelrotto, Fiè and Siusi. The Kastelruther Spatzen also sing the praises of the Sciliar, which attracts countless tourists every year who want to see the famous peak up close.

The Sciliar lies in the middle of the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park, where you can take wonderful hikes and enjoy the pure beauty of the Dolomites. During your excursion to the Sciliar, be sure to visit the Rifugio Bolzano at 2,457 metres or relax at the Laghetto di Fiè, a wonderfully clean mountain lake, on whose frozen surface you can even ice skate in winter.

• Altitude: 2,563 m
• First ascent: 1880
• Region: Italy, South Tyrol, Dolomites
• Nature park: Sciliar-Catinaccio
• Mountain hut: Rifugio Bolzano

Summit of the Sciliar massif

On the northern edge of the mountain is the 2,515-metre-high Castello Peak with Pez (2,563 m), the Gabels-Mull (2,390 m) and the Piccolo Sciliar (2,280 m). Behind Pez is the small Mahlknechtstein (2,550 m), and in front of Pez is the Santner Peak (2,413 m) and the Euringer Peak (2,394 m). The two prominent mountain peaks can be seen in almost every photo of the Sciliar.

A hike to the Sciliar and thus to the landmark of South Tyrol is one of the highlights of every holiday in the Dolomites. The destination of your hike is the high plateau on the Sciliar, where the Rifugio Bolzano is located. The Rifugio Bolzano is a traditional refuge with gastronomy and accommodation. Everything that the hosts of this wonderfully authentic hut need for cooking and overnight accommodation is transported up the mountain via their own material lift, as there is no access road. You can reach the Sciliar from four places: Siusi, Bad Ratzes, Fiè and Tires.

The area around the Sciliar has been under special protection since 1974. Following its expansion in 2003, the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park now covers an area of 7,291 hectares. Every year, numerous visitors are attracted not only by the Nature Park House and the many information boards, which vividly convey knowledge about the origins of the area and the flora and fauna around the Sciliar but also by the almost mystical atmosphere in the Nature Park. When the rock towers of the Catinaccio glow red during the so-called alpenglow, the legends about the past kingdom of the dwarf king Laurin suddenly seem very real.

If you are on holiday in the Sciliar-Catinaccio area or taking a day trip to the Sciliar from Val Gardena, you should definitely visit one of the inviting huts where you will be welcomed by the hosts with regional delicacies of South Tyrolean cuisine. The most famous hut in the area is the Rifugio Bolzano, which can only be reached on foot. Other destinations for hungry visitors to the Sciliar are the Rifugio Malghetta Sciliar, the Malga Tuff, Rifugio Tschafon and Rifugio Alpe di Tires. Find out about current opening times before your visit and plan enough time for a coffee break or a hearty lunch.

Around the Sciliar there are numerous worthwhile excursion destinations and sights that you won't want to miss on your holiday. The Laghetto di Fiè – one of the cleanest bathing lakes in South Tyrol – is a wonderful place to swim and relax in summer. In winter, you can enjoy wonderful ice skating on the frozen lake. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Trostburg Castle near Ponte Gardena. If you love regional delicacies, visit one of the farmers' markets in the area. Be sure to check out sporting events, cultural events and traditional events in the region before your trip.

There are several water springs in the area of the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park. This water is not only bacteria-free, clear and tasty but some of the springs are also considered healing springs. Bad Ratzes above Siusi allo Sciliar developed into a popular spa from the 18th century onwards, where wealthy people had themselves treated with healing waters.

Sulphur springs at Tirler

There are two sulphur springs at Tirler on the Alpe di Siusi. The water seeps out of the marshy ground of a forest clearing and has an unpleasant smell reminiscent of rotten eggs. However, it is worth overcoming and drinking from the wooden well: the highly sulphurous water has a detoxifying effect. Why not visit the geological natural monument on your next trip to the Alpe di Siusi?

Bad Ratzes

The Hotel Bad Ratzes above Siusi allo Sciliar is the final testament to the long history of a spa that for several centuries attracted wealthy people who believed the waters of the Sciliar springs had a healing effect. As early as the 16th century, the spring water was said to have healing properties, and in the 18th century, the young doctor Anton Schedler built a bathhouse here. Today there are no more baths in Bad Ratzes, but a trip to the iron spring and the sulphur spring is still worthwhile.

Blood of the Sciliar

Water known as "Schlernblut" or "blood of the Sciliar" flows out of the legendary Sciliar. The Sciliar blood spring is located on the Piccolo Sciliar and flows into the Rio di Fie, which feeds the Laghetto di Fiè. The water of the Sciliar spring spurts out of the rock face with great pressure, a phenomenon that, according to legend, comes out like blood from a deep wound. The high-quality drinking water of Bad Tölz is also called Sciliar blood.

When visiting the area around the Sciliar, you will inevitably encounter the Sciliar witches. Today, the cloth witches and amusing references to the evil weather hexes seem like folklore. But behind the tales of witches who could conjure up disastrous storms in the region, there is nothing more than the feeling of powerlessness of the locals who were at the mercy of the forces of nature. The witches' benches at Bullaccia, impressive basalt columns, are said to have served the witches as resting or meeting places. However, despite all the love of legends and old stories, it must be pointed out that in the Middle Ages, there were also terrible witch trials in the Sciliar region, as a result of which at least 30 people, mainly women, were burned most cruelly.

With the Sciliar in front of your eyes, you don't need much of an imagination to realise that the steep rock faces are a magical attraction for climbers. For a long time, locals thought that the Great Sciliar Peak was unconquerable, a view that probably encouraged the mountaineer Johann Santner to try it all the more. In July 1880, he succeeded in making the first ascent of the imposing boulder, which is now called "Santner Peak" in honour of the mountaineer. Today, climbing is possible on a variety of routes on the Santner, Euringer, Monte Castello, Mumelterkopf and Schattenkofel. Even with modern equipment, the Sciliar massif is still an exciting challenge even for experienced climbers.

Historical routes on the Sciliar

• 1880 Santner Peak (east face, difficulty level III.) - Johann Santner alone
• 1884 Euringer Peak (south face, III.) - Gustav Euringer and G. Battista Bernhard
• 1908 Piccolo Sciliar (north face, III.) - Paul Mayr and Ernst Hofer
• 1912 Monte Castello (east face traverse, III.) - Max Reinstaller, Heindl Tomasi
• 1912 Mull (north-east face, II.) - Paul Mayr, Hermann Kofler, Hans Kiene and Pius Wachtler
• 1929 Schlernkind (IV.) - Fidel Bernard, Hans Leitgeb, Georg Harm, Edi Hermann and Luis Gasser