Seiser Alm/ Alpe di Siusi

Here you will find only some of the many possible hike suggestions around Seiser Alm/ Alpe di Siusi. We've been there 4 times now, but the area is so vast that there is still plenty more for us  to discover.

Alpe di Siusi is the largest mountain plateau in Europe, very popular with tourists both, in summer and in winter. We've been there in winter on many occasions and we loved it because it's very well organised and they have great facilities for families.

Here is the list of my "pluses":

• no need for a car during your stay because it offers a system of  very well connected ski lifts, buses etc.
• very well maintained paths
• apart from the playground, the malghe (alpine places where you can eat) usually have some colouring pages and crayons etc provided for your children
• the views are breathtaking
• it's famous for stories about witches etc (search for Bullaccia)

During our stay there, apart from the obvious skiing, we went down the mountain with sledges. We started from the ski lift Florian. You have the option of either taking your own sledges/toboggan or renting them out when you buy your tickets (you can pay at the ski lift down in the valley station in Saltria and you get them on top of the Florian mountain (2100m above the sea level). Here's the website of the Florian ski lift in English with all the prices etc.  

We usually have a quick stop at Williamshuete and the playground. On our way down we stop at Zallinger and then at Tirler, which was voted the most beautiful Alpine hut of 2009. Don't be fooled about the name Alpine hut, it's much posher then that and the prices confirm it. But it's a nice place with a good playground for children. From here it's a short walk back to Saltria from were you can take a bus back to Seis am Schlern/ Susi allo Sciliar or to Kompatsch/Compaccio, the main area with the cable car that takes you down to the valley. 

At Tirler you will also find a beginning of a gentle 2 km walk, ideal for smaller and bigger children. It's called the Witches' Walk and indeed, instead of following signs you'll find a sculpture of a wooden witch called Curandina marking the way. This nature trail is designed to awaken all your 4 senses and will take you about 1.5 hrs.

Puflatsch/Bullaccia is famous for its Witches' Walk with the places where the witches used to meet. Take a Puflatsch chair-lift from Kompatsch/ Compaccio that takes you up to 2119m. Follow the signs for the Belvedere, from where you will get a splendid view of the surrounding mountains. Next, follow the signs for  the Hexenbaenke or the Witches' Benches, which are big stones where the witches used to meet. An easy walk but not suitable for strollers.

For refreshments and toilets go to Bergrestaurant Puflatsch/ Bullaccia Ristorante. , where your children will also find a playground.

Here's the alternative for the walk to the Witches' Benches from Kastelruth/ Castelrotto.

http://www.seiser-alm.it/en/mountains-and-hiking/from-castelrotto-to-the-witches-benches.html

How to get there:

Not having a car here is both a blessing and a curse. No cars obviously means cleaner air, little traffic, unspoilt landscapes. But getting here by cable car is quite expensive. You can, however, get a bus to Kompatsch or Saltria or you can come here by car but only within certain hours (before 9 a.m. or after 5p.m). If you are staying at one of the hotels in Seiser Alm, you'll get a speciall pass to allow you to drive up to Seiser Alm/ Aple di Siusi.

By car: From Trento follow A22 towards Bozen/ Bolzano, take the exit Bozen Nord, follow the indications for Seiseralm/ Alpe di Siusi.

By bus or train: For how to get there by bus or train please sea the link below.
http://www.seiseralm.it/en/service/arrival/

By bus and cablecar: For the link for timetable for bus connections and the cablecar from Seis am Schlern/ Siusi allo Sciliar to Seiseralm/ Alpe di Siusi please see the link below.
http://www.seiseralmbahn.it/en/arrival/

Level: easy

Refreshments and toilet facilities: in various malghe (alpine mountain huts). The famous one, the one everybody talks about is Malga Gostner Schwaige (tel.347 8368154)  with its unusual food, for example the creme of hay served on a home made bread.

You can get there on foot from the bus stop in Kompatsch (Compaccio). Follow the road to Saltria, then turn right in the direction of the hotel Stegar-Dellai (which lies half way between the bus stop and the malga). 
It's a very easy walk, suitable for buggies.
The toilets are also available at the cable car station.

Useful websites: 

http://www.seiseralm.it/en/

http://www.florianlift.it/en/chairlift-florian/