Alpe di Siusi round tour

The Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest high plateau, is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Val Gardena mountains offering a little something for everyone. On the extensive network of trails, it can be difficult to decide on just one destination. That's why we've outlined a beautiful and easy route here with a few tips for extending or shortening the hike.

Coming from the Brenner motorway (A22), drive through the Val Gardena valley (SS242) to Ortisei and the Alpe di Siusi cable car. Parking is available directly at the valley station.

Val Gardena is also easily accessible by public transport. Line 350 runs every half hour from Ponte Gardena or Chiusa to Ortisei. From the Piazza S.Antonio bus stop in the town centre, you can easily spot the red cable cars. The valley station is only a 5-minute walk away.

The gondola lift takes you quickly from Ortisei up to the high plateau of the Alpe di Siusi. Once you reach the top, a breathtaking panorama awaits that will leave you in awe. The extensive alpine meadows are bordered to the south by the Sciliar, Denti di Terrarossa and Molignon mountains. To the east is the Sassolungo group with the mighty Sassolungo and Sassopiatto.

You can warm up on this hike for the first time while on the descent: from the mountain station, take the marked Trail No. 9, which leads along the forest road past the Schgaguler-Schweige to Sporthotel Sonne. Immediately to the left of the hotel, take Trail No. 6B, which leads across lush alpine meadows to the Sanon Hut. Here you can treat yourself to your first break and enjoy the view while savouring a delicious apple strudel.

The hike continues on Trail No. 6B, which leads into the forest road along which you reach the Hotel Ritsch via flat terrain. Immediately after this, take Trail No. 6, which leads slightly uphill across a meadow to a wooded area.

You can take the first shortcut here: Trail No. 30 descends directly to Saltria. However, if you are still feeling energetic, stay on Trail No. 6 and continue slightly uphill towards Hotel Goldknopf. With every step, the Sciliar gets closer and the steep rock faces of the characteristic Santner and Euringer towers drop down towards Siusi.

Just before the Panorama Hut, at the lift station, you reach a fork in the path, where you continue left on Trail No. 7. This leads gently uphill below the Hotel Goldknopf past the Almrosen Hut. Trail No. 7 joins a forest road (Trail No. 8), which leads through a wooded area to the Tirler.

Here you have the option of taking another shortcut. Trail No. 12 descends through the forest directly down to the Tirler. The slightly longer route continues to the Molignon – Mahlknecht Mountain Hut, which can be reached via Trail No. 7. If you stay on this path after the hut, you will see black rock formations between steep mountain slopes, the so-called Mahlknecht and Dialer Bohlen. This is a volcanic layer that runs through the Alpe di Siusi and was pushed between the Dolomites during the formation of the mountains.

On the way back, we recommend that you don't take too long so that you can catch the last train to Ortisei at 6:00 pm. From Tirler, start by taking the road to Saltria. Here you take Trail No. 6 back to the railway. You can also avoid this ascent by taking the bus at the Saltria stop and travelling to the Hotel Ritsch. From here, walk back to the Sanon Hut and continue to Sporthotel Sonne.

Once you arrive at Sporthotel Sonne, you have one last strenuous ascent to tackle. However, the lift located next to the hotel can help here and whisk hikers with tired legs up to the mountain station of the Alpe di Siusi cable car.

The Catinaccio borders the Alpe di Siusi with the Sciliar, the Denti di Terrarossa and the Molignon to the south. Legend has it that the dwarf King Laurin put a curse on his kingdom following a dispute: the alpine roses were not to bloom during the day or at night. However, he forgot the twilight, meaning that the Dolomites glow in beautiful colours at sunrise and sunset. The Almrosen Hut is named after the numerous alpine roses that can be found on the slopes below the Denti di Terrarossa. The blossom depends on the annual weather conditions but is usually at its most beautiful at the end of June and is a natural spectacle. If you believe the legend to be true, you can still marvel at the full splendour of the alpine roses in bloom here.

• Tabacco No.05, Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi. The Tabacco maps are also available via the app.
• AV Map No. 52/I