ALPE DI SIUSI GUIDE: HOW TO VISIT AND WHAT TO DO

This Alpe di Siusi Guide covers everything you need to know to visit one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites. Alpe di Siusi feels like you have stepped into a postcard and its the perfect place to visit in the Dolomites if you are looking for a more relaxing activity.

Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm in German) is the largest high-altitude alpine meadow in Europe and one of the most iconic destinations in the Dolomites. The area is famous for its panoramic views of the Sassolungo mountain group, and charming mountain cabins spread through the meadow. It is one of those places that is just as beautiful in real life as it is in photos.

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know to have a wonderful time at Alpe di Siusi. From transportation information and useful tips, to a detail explanaition of what we did and some other alternatives.

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WHAT IS ALPE DI SIUSI & WHERE IS IT LOCATED?

Alpe di Siusi or Seiser Alm is the largest high-altitude alpine meadow in Europe and one of the most iconic destinations in the Dolomites. It is also one of the best places for hiking, photography, and simply enjoying the mountain landscapes.

The area is especially known for its panoramic views of the Sassolungo, which rises dramatically above the green meadows and creates one of the most photographed landscapes in the Dolomites.

WHERE IS ALPE DI SIUSI?

Alpe di Siusi is located in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy, right in the heart of the Dolomites. The area sits above the towns of Ortisei, Castelrotto, and Siusi allo Sciliar and is part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site.

HOW TO GET TO ALPE DI SIUSI?

Getting to Alpe di Siusi is relatively easy, but it can initially feel a little confusing because of the road restrictions and different access points. The good news is that once you understand the transportation system, visiting the area is very straightforward.

Most visitors reach Alpe di Siusi either by cable car or by driving to one of the access points between Castelrotto and Siusi allo Sciliar, but it is also possible to get there by bus. Which option is best depends on where you are staying and what kind of experience you want to have.

GETTING TO ALPE DI SIUSI BY CABLE CAR

Taking the cable car is one of the easiest and most scenic ways to reach Alpe di Siusi, especially if you want to avoid parking stress. There are two different cable cars that you can take, one that leaves from Ortisei and the other one from Siusi allo Sciliar.

Mont Seuc Cable Car: Ortisei - Alpe di Siusi

Taking the cable car from Ortisei is the most convenient way to reach Alpe di Siusi if you are staying in Ortisei or one of the neighboring towns in Val Gardena. The gondola takes you directly from the town up to the plateau in only a few minutes and offers incredible panoramic views during the ride.

Practical information

Price. A return cable car ticket costs 39 € in 2026. Always check the latest prices on the official website.
Operating Hours. The cable car runs between 8:30 and 18:00.

Cabinovia Seiser Alm: Siusi allo Sciliar - Alpe di Siusi

Another option is to take the cable car that connects Siusi with Alpe di Siusi. This cable car is the way to go if you are staying in Siusi or Castelrotto, but don’t want to deal with the road restrictions to access Seiser Alm.

Practical information

Price. A return cable car ticket costs 30 € in 2026. Always check the latest prices on the official website.
Operating Hours. The cable car runs between 8:00 and 19:00.

GETTING TO ALPE DI SIUSI BY CAR

Getting to Seiser Alm by car is also possible. The road leading up to the plateau starts between the towns of Castelrotto and Siusi and brings you to Compastch. However, you should know that this road is subject to traffic restrictions during certain hours of the day, especially in the summer months, so it is important to check the latest access times before your visit.

Alpe di Siusi Road Restrictions

Due to its increased popularity, the road to Alpe di Siusi has some access restrictions.

Day Access Restrictions. Private vehicle access to the plateau is restricted between 9:00 and 17:00 to preserve the natural environment.
Night Restrictions. The road is also completely closed with no access between 23:00 and 5:00.
Parking Reservation. If you plan to access Alpe di Siusi during the free access periods for private vehicles, it is mandatory to have a parking reservation and one of the two parking lots in Compatsch: P1 (Spitzbühl) or P2 (Compatsch). This reservation can be done with maximum 6 days in advance at Seiseralm.it. Even if you have a parking reservation, the access restrictions still apply. You will have to get to Seiser Alm before 9:00 or after 17:00 to make use of your reservation.
Hotel Reservation. People staying at one of the Hotels located in Seiser Alm are not impacted by these access restrictions. Make sure you have proof of your hotel reservation available, as you will be asked for it.

GETTING TO ALPE DI SIUSI WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Finally, it is also possible to use the Seiser Alm Express (Bus Route 10). This is a dedicated shuttle that links Siusi and Castelrotto with Compatsch.

A round ticket for the Seiser Alm Express costs 30 € and can be bought in the Tourist information center in both towns.

TIPS FOR VISITING ALPE DI SIUSI

Alpe di Siusi is one of the easiest places to visit in the Dolomites, but there are a few things worth knowing before your trip.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?

If you want to enjoy a more peaceful experience, you should aim to arrive as early as possible. The plateau is a very popular destination in the Dolomites, so it tends to get busy during the midday hours.

However, there is a downside to visiting early in the morning, especially if you are into photography. The most iconic views of Alpe di Siusi are the rolling meadows with the Sassolungo mountains in the distance. Unfortunately, the lighting is not the best in the morning, so if you want to take nice photos, I would recommend visiting in the afternoon.

what equipment do you need?

The terrain at Alpe di Siusi is mostly flat, and most of the trails are either paved or very well maintained, so you don’t really need any specific hiking equipment.

The only thing I would recommend bringing is:

Sunscreen and a hat, in case you get a super sunny day, as we did.
A rain and wind blocker for potentially changing weather in the mountains.

HOW TO MOVE AROUND ALPE DI SIUSI?

We mostly walked around Alpe di Siusi, but if you are not in the mood for walking, there is a bus line that operates between Compatsch and Saltria.

The Almbus (line 11) ticket is 4 € for a single ride (price in 2026) and can only be paid with cash at the machines available in the different bus stops.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN ALPE DI SIUSI

There are plenty of ways to explore the beauty of Alpe di Siusi; here are some of the best.

GO HIKING

Of course, hiking is one of the things you can do in Alpe di Siusi. The plateau is covered with well-maintained trails that have very little technical difficulty. That is one of the reasons Alpe di Siusi is so popular. Many trails offer panoramic mountain scenery with relatively little effort.

However, if you are an avid hiker and want to tackle something more challenging, you can opt for a hike in the Sassolungo mountains area. I had initially saved this hike that goes between Saltria to Rifugio Sasso Piato, but in the end, we decided to have a more relaxed day

RIDE A BIKE AROUND THE MEADOW

An alternative to hiking is renting a bike and exploring the meadow on two wheels. As soon as you step out of the cable car in Compatsch, you will find a few bike rental shops. I have pinned them on the map at the end of this blog, in case you are interested in renting a bike.

Tip: If you are not used to bike riding, I recommend you rent an e-bike. There are quite a few uphills and downhills in Seiser Alm.

ADMIRE THE VIEWS OF SASSOLUNGO

The impressive Sassolungo mountain group is one of the defining features of Alpe di Siusi and one of the most photographed landscapes in the Dolomites.

Throughout the plateau, you’ll find countless viewpoints where the rugged peaks rise above the rolling alpine meadows. The contrast between the green fields and the mountains is what makes this area so special.

Even if you do not plan on hiking far, simply enjoying these views is worth the trip.

ENJOY THE MOUNTAIN HUTS AND HAVE A DELICIOUS LUNCH

Another amazing thing about the Dolomites is the mountain hut culture, and Alpe di Siusi is no exception.

These rifugios are perfect places to take a break, enjoy the scenery, and try local South Tyrolean dishes. Many have outdoor terraces with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

A leisurely lunch at a mountain hut is one of the highlights of any visit.

HIKING FROM COMPATSCH TO SALTRIA

During our visit to Alpe di Siusi, we decided to walk between Compatsch, the “biggest village in the meadow,” and located on its western end, and Saltria, a smaller village located in the central part of Alpe di Siusi.

HIKE STATS

Trail Start/End – Trail starts at Compatsch, outside the Seiser Alm cable car station, and ends in Saltria

Distance – 8,07 km

Elevation Gain – 218 m

Level – Easy

Route Type – Point to Point

Estimated Time Needed – 3 hours and 30 minutes (including plenty of time to enjoy the views and lunch at a mountain hut)

Best Time To Visit – June to September to ensure the best weather conditions.

HIKE MAP

I always use the AllTrails App during my hikes. The app has a GPX map that can help you stay on the right trail during your hikes. For this hike, we followed this Compatsch to Saltria trail.

OUR EXPERIENCE HIKING FROM COMPATSCH TO SALTRIA

Seiser Alm Cable Car

The day we visited Alpe di Siusi, we decided to have a relaxed day. Instead of waking up early to drive to Compatsch, we took the cable car from Siusi. We arrived at Siusi at around 10:00, but it was still relatively calm, and we didn’t have to wait long to get our tickets.

Same as with all of the gondolas we took in the Dolomites, the ride was very pleasant. We got to enjoy the beautiful views while gaining altitude at the same time.

Compatsch to Sanon Hut

As soon as we stepped out of the cable car, we started walking towards Sanon Hut. We followed the trail that leaves straight from the gondola station. As we walked by, we passed two chair lifts. First, the Panorama chair lift on our right, and then the Puflatsch-Bullaccia lift.

This first part was through some beautiful meadows, but after we passed the second lift, we went through a wooded area.

After this forested area, we walked past a paved road and two hotels until we reached Sanon Hut, where we stopped to relax and enjoy the views.

Sanon Hut to Malga Rauch

From Sanon Hut, you will walk a bit through a gravel road for a few hundred meters until you reach a trail junction, where you will follow the directions to Saltria.

From this point, the hike is downhill, and you will go through a narrow and calmer trail. As you walk through the trail, you will see Rauch Hut (Malga Rauch) and the Sassolungo mountains in the background.

Malga Rauch to Saltria

After reaching Rauch Hut, we continued descending towards Saltria. This part of the trail is very picturesque, you walk through half-shaded areas and even get some views of Seceda in the distance! This was our favorite part of our walk in Alpe di Siusi.

Not long afterwards, we reached Saltria and decided to have lunch at Saltner Schwaige Hut before returning to Compatsch Food at the mountain huts is really delicious!

Saltria to Compatsch with the Alm Bus

After lunch, we took the Alm Bus at the Saltria bus stop to return to Compatsch. It is also possible to do this part hiking, but the trail is mainly through a paved road, and it was really warm that day. Taking the bus was a perfect option for us.

THINGS I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY IF I WERE TO VISIT AGAIN

Here are a few things that I wish I had known before going to Alpe di Siusi. Don’t get me wrong, we had an amazing time there, but if I ever go back, here’s what I would change.

First, I would visit in the afternoon instead of in the morning. The lighting for photography of the Sassolungo mountain range is better in the afternoon.

I would consider renting a bike if you’re just going to explore the meadows. We loved our little walk around the plateau, but it would have been nice to try a different activity.

Finally, I would plan a second day to complete the Sasso Piato hut hike that I had initially intended to do. The walk through Seiser Alm was amazing, but looking back, I regret not completing this hike.

WHERE TO STAY IN ALPE DI SIUSI?

Staying in Alpe di Siusi is not cheap. However, if you can afford it and don’t mind splurging a little bit, you have to do it. Most people leave at around 19:00 when the cable cars close for the day and the meadow becomes a peaceful paradise.

Sporthotel Floralpina

Sporthotel Floralpina is located in Saltria, with amazing views of the Sassolungo mountains. I can’t simply think of a better view to wake up to!

Photos from Booking.com

ALPE DI SIUSI: FAQ

IS ALPE DI SIUSI WORTH VISITING?

Absolutely. Alpe di Siusi is one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites. There are no words to explain the beauty of the meadows, the traditional mountain huts, and the mountain scenery!

Whether you enjoy hiking, photography, or simply relaxing in nature, Alpe di Siusi is a place that should be on every Dolomites itinerary.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN ALPE DI SIUSI?

If you’re only planning on exploring the meadow, one day is enough. This gives you plenty of time to ride the cable car, enjoy a scenic walk, visit a mountain hut, and take in the incredible views.

However, if you want to go hiking in the Sassolungo, I would add a second day here.

CAN YOU VISIT ALPE DI SIUSI WITHOUT HIKING?

Of course! Many people visit Alpe di Siusi to enjoy the scenery and relax in one of the many rifugios.

IS ALPE DI SIUSI GOOD FOR FAMILIES?

Yes. Alpe di Siusi is one of the most family-friendly places in the Dolomites.

The area offers easy walking trails, open meadows for children to explore, cable car access, and plenty of mountain huts where families can stop for a meal.

MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the star next to the map title to add this map to your google maps account. To view it on your phone while traveling, open Google Maps, click on the menu button and go to “Your Places”, click on Maps and you’ll see this map in your list.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Alpe di Siusi is one of those places that perfectly captures everything that makes the Dolomites so special. The sweeping alpine meadows, dramatic mountain peaks, charming rifugios, and endless hiking opportunities combine to create a destination that feels almost too beautiful to be real.

If you’re planning a trip to the Dolomites, make sure to include Alpe di Siusi in your itinerary!

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