Alpe di Siusi Dolomites
South Tyrol · Castelrotto · Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park
📈 Good to know today — Alpe di Siusi
Autumn at altitude: the summer cable car closes on 1 November 2026. #AlpediSiusi #Dolomites #SeiserAlm
Europe’s largest high-altitude plateau, among meadows and Dolomites
Alpe di Siusi, Seiser Alm in German and Mont Sëuc in Ladin, is presented by the local tourist board as the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe: about 56 square kilometres in the heart of the Dolomites, with views of Sciliar, Sassopiatto and Sassolungo. The same sources mention about 300 days of sunshine a year, which helps explain why people hike, ski and stop at mountain huts here in every season.
The plateau lies in South Tyrol, about 20 kilometres from Bolzano, and is also a hamlet of the municipality of Castelrotto: Compaccio, at about 1,850 metres, is its largest settlement. Sources disagree on its size (52, 56 or 65 km²): in this guide we use the 56 km² given by the local tourist association.
Source: Alpe di Siusi (seiseralm.it) (IT) · Source: Suedtirolerland.it (IT) · Source: seiser-alm.it · Source: Montagna.tv (IT) · Source: South Tyrol (suedtirol.info) (IT)
Source: seiseralm.it (IT) · Source: South Tyrol brochure (IDM) (IT)
A protected landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage setting
The Dolomites have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009: the listing covers nine areas, including the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park, within whose boundaries Alpe di Siusi lies. The park is the oldest in South Tyrol.
As a protected area, the plateau hosts rich flora: the tourist association cites about 800 species of flowering plants and ferns. In early summer the meadows fill with blooms, in autumn the grass turns a golden copper, and in winter the plateau becomes a snow-covered expanse for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. For more on the mountain context, see the ItalyTrade page on the Dolomites.
Source: seiseralm.it — UNESCO Dolomites (IT) · Source: seiseralm.it — Alpe di Siusi (IT) · Source: suedtirol.info — Castelrotto (IT) · Source: Val Gardena (IT) · Source: The Wom Travel (IT)
Why Alpe di Siusi is unique
🏛️ Inside the UNESCO Dolomites
Sciliar, Sassopiatto, Sassolungo and the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park are part of the Dolomite sites recognised as a World Heritage Site.
🚠 Regulated access
Because it is a protected area, private traffic on the plateau is restricted: the road is closed to private cars from 9:00 to 17:00, and during those hours you go up by cable car from Siusi or by bus from Castelrotto.
🍽️ 56 mountain huts with food
The plateau has 56 huts run by passionate hosts, serving savoury and sweet dishes with views of the Dolomites.
⛷️ Cross-country skiing
The cross-country trails of Alpe di Siusi belong to Dolomiti Nordicski, described as the largest cross-country skiing circuit in Europe.
Source: suedtirol.info — Castelrotto (IT) · Source: seiseralm.it (IT) · Source: Roter Hahn · Source: Suedtirolerland.it (IT)
Peaks, small lakes and villages around the plateau
Sciliar
With its distinctive shape it is among the most famous mountains of the Dolomites and a symbol of South Tyrol. From its highest point, the Petz (2,563 m), the view reaches the Ortles on clear days.
Sassolungo
The mountain group with the peak of the same name (3,181 m) surrounds Alpe di Siusi; Saltria is the starting point for many hikes towards these peaks.
Sassopiatto
At 2,969 metres it towers over the plateau alongside Sassolungo and Sciliar and is one of the destinations reachable from Saltria.
Fiè Lake (Laghetto di Fiè)
Among the small lakes around Alpe di Siusi it is the one where swimming is allowed; nearby are also the Punta d’Oro lake, the Huber lake and the Gflierer lake.
Castelrotto
A village at the foot of Alpe di Siusi, listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy; Alpe di Siusi is also one of its hamlets.
Siusi allo Sciliar
Located at the base of the plateau: this is where the cable car to Compaccio starts (from 1,015 to 1,857 m).
Fiè allo Sciliar
It preserves quiet woods and still-living farming traditions; Fiè Lake lies within its territory.
Tires al Catinaccio
One of the five resorts of the Alpe di Siusi Dolomites region, together with Alpe di Siusi, Castelrotto, Siusi and Fiè.
If you want to widen your trip, continue to Val Gardena or explore other mountain and alpine locations in Italy.
Source: suedtirol.info — Tires (Petz) (IT) · Source: Suedtirol.live — Sciliar (IT) · Source: seiser-alm.it — Saltria · Source: Val Gardena — lakes (IT) · Source: suedtirol.info — Castelrotto village (IT) · Source: suedtirol.info — Cable car · Source: The Wom Travel — Fiè (IT) · Source: seiseralm.it — the five resorts (IT)
Flavours of the Alpe: South Tyrolean tradition meets the Mediterranean
From a culinary point of view, the Alpe di Siusi area offers a mix of traditional South Tyrolean cuisine and Mediterranean cooking. For more food ideas, visit the Food & Wine section of ItalyTrade.
🍽️ Dishes and tastes not to miss
Canederli (Knödel)
Described as the most typical dish of South Tyrol; often served with Schüttelbrot.
Speck Alto Adige PGI
A staple of aperitifs, boards and restaurant menus across the Dolomites region.
Schüttelbrot
A thin rye flatbread flavoured with fennel and cumin, baked until crisp.
Marende
The traditional South Tyrolean afternoon snack of speck, Schüttelbrot and a glass of wine.
Tagliatelle with fir shoots
A dish with speck featured on the menu of the Dolomites Festival of Taste.
🌿 The Dolomites Festival of Taste
In the 2025 edition, from 1 to 15 June, restaurants and huts in the region served dishes made with 100% zero-kilometre ingredients: all sourced from the Alpe di Siusi Dolomites region, except oil, salt, pepper and sugar.
Source: seiser-alm.it — Food and drinks · Source: Il Giornale (canederli) (IT) · Source: Italy Segreta (Schüttelbrot) · Source: seiser-alm.it — Marende · Source: Südtirol kocht 2026 programme (IT/DE) · Source: Festival of Taste menu (IT) · Source: Dolomites Festival of Taste (IT)
Traditions at the table: Marende and the festival of taste
🥨 The South Tyrolean Marende
The Marende is the traditional afternoon snack, eaten between lunch and dinner: speck, Schüttelbrot and a glass of wine.
🍴 Dolomites Festival of Taste
An event dedicated to South Tyrolean cuisine made with local ingredients, with lunchtime dishes at participating restaurants and a food market with local producers. The 2026 programme is published by the tourist association: check there for up-to-date dates.
Source: seiser-alm.it — Marende · Source: Dolomites Festival of Taste (IT) · Source: Schlerngenuss 2026 programme (IT)
How to get there, where to stay, when to go
🚠 Getting there
For most day visitors the most convenient option is the cable car from Siusi allo Sciliar (1,015 m) to Compaccio (1,857 m): about 15 minutes, with free parking at the valley station. The road to the plateau is closed to private traffic from 9:00 to 17:00; guests staying on the Alpe can reach Compaccio before 10:00 and after 17:00. Depending on the season, the Seiser Alm Express (line 10) also runs between Siusi, Castelrotto and the Alpe; from Bolzano and Bressanone take line 170 to the cable car stop, and from Val Gardena take line 172.
Source: alto-adige.com — How to get there (IT) · Source: suedtirol.info — Cable car · Source: Roter Hahn
🏨 Where to stay
Hotels and apartments
At Compaccio, where the cable car arrives, you will find hotels and accommodation; in the other resorts of the region (Castelrotto, Siusi, Fiè, Tires) the offer also includes residences, aparthotels and apartments.
Farm stays (agriturismo)
Among the properties listed around the plateau there are also farm stays.
Camping
Wild camping, pitching tents and overnighting in any type of vehicle are strictly prohibited on Alpe di Siusi, in the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park and throughout the Dolomites region.
Source: Suedtirolerland.it — Compaccio (IT) · Source: alto-adige.com — Accommodation (IT) · Source: Suedtirol.live (IT) · Source: seiseralm.it — Rules (IT)
📅 Best time to go
In summer the cable car runs from 21 May to 1 November 2026; in spring and late autumn, when the cable car is closed, the road to Compaccio is normally open to private traffic all day. In autumn the grass takes on shades of golden copper. In winter the area is part of Dolomiti Superski, with 16 blue, 42 red and one black run, and the region, between 1,800 and 2,250 metres, is considered one of the snowiest in South Tyrol.
Source: seiser-alm.it — Cable car (IT) · Source: alto-adige.com (IT) · Source: The Wom Travel (IT) · Source: Dolomiti.it — Ski area (IT) · Source: Winter 2026/27 press kit (IT)
Speck Alto Adige PGI and alpine products
Speck Alto Adige PGI features in the gastronomic programmes of the Dolomites region. At the valley station of the Siusi cable car, a shop selling South Tyrolean products talks about speck smoked to an old recipe, alpine cheese aged three months in a natural cellar and hand-stirred apricot jam (seller’s statements). To discover more typical products, see the Experiential tourism and Food & Wine pages on ItalyTrade.
Source: Südtirol kocht 2026 programme (IT/DE) · Source: Südtirol Products (Siusi) (IT)
Where to eat: mountain huts, alpine farms and panoramic restaurants
🏔️ Huts and alpine farms
Alpe di Siusi has 56 huts, offering savoury and sweet delicacies in small, refined restaurants with views of the Dolomites.
🍴 Tyrolean cuisine
Restaurant Ritsch, on Alpe di Siusi, serves classic Tyrolean cuisine; Malga Tirler offers a wide variety of typical South Tyrolean dishes.
🥾 Tschötsch Alm
A hut at about 2,000 metres: it is 4 km from Compaccio, takes about 1.5 hours round trip with 160 m of elevation gain, and is suitable for strollers.
🍷 Restaurant Schönblick
A unique panoramic setting, authentic and refined cuisine and an excellent wine selection.
Source: seiseralm.it — Huts (IT) · Source: Schlerngenuss programme (Ritsch) (IT) · Source: Festival of Taste (Tirler, Schönblick) (IT) · Source: Il Trentino dei Bambini (IT)
Alpe di Siusi in numbers
Figures on surface area, sunshine, flora and huts are those stated by the tourist association; the cable car’s elevation gain is the difference between Siusi (1,015 m) and Compaccio (1,857 m).
Source: seiseralm.it (IT) · Source: suedtirol.info — Cable car
4-day itinerary, step by step
Siusi allo Sciliar and the cable car
Free parking at the valley station, then a ride of about 15 minutes from Siusi (1,015 m) to Compaccio (1,857 m).
Compaccio and Tschötsch Alm
From Compaccio, the centre of the plateau, a 4 km walk (1.5 hours round trip, 160 m of elevation gain) leads to the Tschötsch Alm hut, at about 2,000 metres.
More mountain destinations on ItalyTrade
Source: Il Trentino dei Bambini (IT) · Source: seiser-alm.it
Saltria and the Dolomites
From Compaccio the Almbus no. 11 reaches Saltria, the starting point for many hikes towards Sassolungo (3,181 m), Sassopiatto (2,969 m), Sciliar (2,563 m) and Rifugio Molignon.
Explore the Dolomites on ItalyTrade
Source: seiser-alm.it · Source: Montagna di Viaggi (Almbus 11) (IT)
Castelrotto
A day in the village of Castelrotto, reachable from Siusi and the Alpe by the Seiser Alm Express (line 10, depending on the season).
Cable car and bus timetables and availability change with the season: always check up-to-date information before you travel.
FAQ — Alpe di Siusi Dolomites
The local tourist association gives about 56 km², making it the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe; some sources report 52 or 65 km². Source: seiseralm.it (IT)
By cable car from Siusi allo Sciliar, which reaches Compaccio in about 15 minutes, or by public transport or car, within the time restrictions. Source: alto-adige.com (IT)
The road is closed to private traffic from 9:00 to 17:00. Guests staying on the Alpe can reach Compaccio before 10:00 and after 17:00. Source: alto-adige.com (IT)
The 2026 summer season runs from 21 May to 1 November. Outside the season the road to Compaccio is normally open all day. Source: seiser-alm.it (IT)
Alpe di Siusi is a protected area, part of the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park, and lies within the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. Source: seiseralm.it (IT)
No: wild camping, pitching tents and overnighting in any type of vehicle are strictly prohibited on Alpe di Siusi and throughout the Dolomites region. Source: seiseralm.it (IT)
Sassolungo (3,181 m), Sassopiatto (2,969 m) and Sciliar (2,563 m) are the most recognisable peaks, visible from Saltria and the plateau. Source: seiser-alm.it
The plateau has 56 huts serving savoury and sweet dishes; among the best-known South Tyrolean specialities are canederli, speck and the Marende with Schüttelbrot. Source: seiseralm.it (IT)
A plateau to enjoy in every season
Between summer blooms, golden autumn grass and snowy winter runs, Alpe di Siusi offers a protected landscape in the heart of the UNESCO Dolomites, with a network of huts, trails and connections that makes planning a visit simple.
Before you leave, always check cable car timetables and access rules: they change with the season and are published by the local tourist association.
A sea of grass suspended among the Dolomites: on Alpe di Siusi time slows down, and the view opens wide.
Who wrote this article? Based on what?
📋 Transparency and Verifiability
Written by:
Giuseppe Baldassarri — ItalyTrade.org.
Based on which evidence: Verified sources linked throughout the text (Alpe di Siusi tourist association, South Tyrol Marketing, Dolomiti Superski and others).
Other viewpoints: Yes, noted where relevant (for example the size of the plateau, reported with different values by the sources).
Possible undisclosed interest: None. Independent editorial content.
Giuseppe Baldassarri
Giuseppe Baldassarri — Senior Revenue Manager & AI Search Specialist (AEO/GEO) | Sales & Account Manager | Destination & Export Marketing | Travel Designer | Vivi l’Italia – italytrade.org
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