Seiser Alm Highlights

Dive into the Dolomites on a serene 3-day trek from Ortisei, weaving through lush meadows and past iconic peaks for an unforgettable Alpine escape.

Starting point

Ortisei / Kastelruth

Finish point

Ortisei

Duration

3 days / 2 nights

Season

June - October

Technical level

Fitness level

Price

From: 579€/person

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Seiser Alm Highlights

Marvel at Europe’s largest high-altitude Alpine meadow on the Seiser Alm plateau

Discover the serene beauty of Marinzen’s pastures, where traditional wooden lodges dot the landscape amidst grazing cows

Witness the majestic Langkofel group, a symbol of the Dolomites’ rugged beauty and grandeur

Relax in the quaint mountain villages of Compatsch and Saltria

Explore the Roßzahne ridge with panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks

Discover the warmth and hospitality of the Dolomites’ rifugios

Dolomites. Landscape image of Seiser Alm a Dolomite plateau and the largest high-altitude Alpine meadow in Europe.

Witness alpine glow on the Dolomites

Auf der Seiser Alm, Alpe di Siusi, mit Blick auf den Schlern, Sciliar, Südtirol

Stand among the iconic Langkofel spires

Seiser Alm mit dem Schlern,Südtirol,Italien

Find serenity in rolling Dolomite hills

Revel in the grandeur of Seiser Alm

Embrace vastness on the Seiser Alm plateau

Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy

Wander through meadows of Dolomite wildflowers

Beautiful sunrise view of meadow Seiser Alm Alpe di Siusi with Odle - Geisler mountain group on background. Morning autumn scenery in Dolomite Alps, Italy.

Bask in golden moments among the cabins

Trek towards tranquility in Dolomite forests

Day 1: Ortisei - Kastelruth - Compatsch

Your short getaway in the Dolomites begins in Ortisei, where you’ll catch a bus to Kastelruth. Once there, the hiking begins. The first day is the most demanding as you ascend the Seiser Alm plateau and overcome the most significant altitude difference in these three days. You’ll traverse the scenic Marinzen mountain pastures, enjoying the scenery of verdant green meadows, wooden lodges, and grazing cows while the jagged peaks of Langkofel loom above in the distance. Your day ends in Compatsch, a small tourist village on the plateau.

Hiking

12 km and 1150 m of elevation gain / 370 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel or B&B in Compatsch

Day 2: Compatsch - Saltria

A languid day of hiking awaits. Although you won’t take the most direct route from Compatsch to Saltria, you’ll still have to overcome almost half less altitude difference than yesterday. The trail will slowly ascend as it winds across the meadows towards the Roßzahne ridge. There, you’ll turn back to the central parts of the plateau, passing Rifugio Molignon, and follow the path on the ridge’s other side to Saltria, where you’ll check into your mountain hotel.

Hiking

13.3 km and 680 m of elevation gain / 840 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel or B&B in Saltria

View toward the Roßzahne ridge from Compatsch on Seiser Alm

Hiking towards Roßzahne ridge on Seiser Alm

Near Saltria with Langkofel mountains in the back

Day 3: Saltria - Ortisei

On your final hike on the Seiser Alm plateau, you’ll ascend towards Langkofel mountain group, following an indistinct ridge past several mountain huts. Your destination will be Rifugio Sasso Piatto, where you’ll enjoy the magnificent views of the Dolomite mountains up close. Then, you’ll turn back and follow a different route past the Murmeltier hut to Saltria, thus completing a loop, before ascending to the Mont Sëuc ski lift, which will take you down to Ortisei, where you started.

Hiking

16 km and 920 m of elevation gain / 750 m of elevation loss

Self guided

Included in price

2x accommodation with breakfast

Tour design and organization

Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions

Service and support during your hike

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour tax not included

Comfortable sports clothes

Insulation jacket

Spare socks, underwear and shirt

Gloves

Toilet paper

Snacks

Headlamp

ID card

Trekking poles if you are used to them

Extra layer

Rain jacket

Headwear

Sports shoes with good grip

Water bottle

Sunscreen

Toothbrush

Sleeping liner

Backpack 25-30 l

Some cash for food and accommodation

A Thorough Dive Into Everything About Alta Via 1

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Discover the essence of the Dolomites through a blend of lush meadows, rustic mountain lodges, and panoramic vistas that promise to leave you in awe on a captivating three-day trek in the Dolomites.

This journey offers an unparalleled experience as you explore the scenic beauty and tranquil majesty of the Seiser Alm plateau, framed by the iconic Langkofel peaks.

From the vibrant meadows of Marinzen to the jagged mountain peaks of Langkofel, each step of your journey is a dance with the Dolomites’ finest displays. The trail leads you through a landscape where the harmony of nature is evident in every panoramic view, every breath of fresh mountain air, and the peaceful grazing of cows on verdant pastures.

Designed as a short and accessible hiking getaway, this trek allows you to easily integrate the splendor of the Dolomites into your holiday plans. Whether exploring Italy or adventuring through the Alps, this journey offers a convenient escape into nature, promising minimal hassle and maximum enjoyment.

To ensure a seamless experience, we provide each hiker with a detailed travel booklet packed with all the required information. This personalized guide is complemented by GPS navigation through an easy-to-use app, providing the freedom to immerse fully in the breathtaking surroundings.

The trek is thoughtfully curated to highlight one of the Dolomites’ most enchanting landscapes, the lush Seiser Alm plateau. Each day concludes in comfort, with accommodations that offer a warm welcome and a peaceful retreat in the heart of the mountains.

Join us on this unforgettable journey through the Dolomites, where each step unveils the natural and cultural treasures of this iconic mountain range.

Hiking in the Alps is typically possible from mid-June to late September, depending on the snow conditions at high elevations. Many hiking routes cross mountain passes that are located above 2000 meters, so it is important to check the current conditions if you plan to visit in early summer.

Keep in mind that the huts along these routes close for the season outside of this time frame, so it is not possible to plan multi-day tours outside of these months.

Read more about the hiking season on the Alta Via 1.

We have rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most challenging. The difficulty level of a tour indicates how fit you need to be and how much hiking is required. All of our Alta Via 1 tours are suitable for people who are regularly active and can hike for about six to eight hours per day.

In addition to the physical demands of the hike, there is also a technical difficulty level to consider. This refers to the skill level required to navigate the path. A level 1 trail is smooth and wide, like a gravel road, while a level 5 trail is uneven and exposed, requiring the use of your hands for balance. Essentially, the higher the technical difficulty level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

We recommend booking your tour as soon as possible to secure a spot, as accommodations along the trail tend to fill up quickly. This will help you ensure that you have a place to stay during your trip.

In the event of an injury, it is best to call local emergency services. While you may be in a remote area and unable to continue without further exacerbating your injury, it is important to remember that you will be hiking along popular trails and will not be completely stranded.

However, if you are feeling too tired to continue hiking, you can choose to reroute towards the nearest town along the trail and find public transportation there. Although Alta Via 1 does not pass directly through any large towns, it does pass close to some of them.

Most of the huts along our hut-to-hut hikes are equipped with showers, but their availability may depend on recent rainfall. Keep in mind that mountain huts are not luxurious hotels, so don’t expect the same level of amenities. However, they do offer a comfortable and convenient place to rest after a day of hiking.

Read more about the mountain huts in the Dolomites.

No. The huts provide blankets and pillows for comfort, but it is a good idea to bring your own sleeping liner to reduce the need for the huts to wash their bed linens every day. If you don’t, you might need to buy one on the spot.

Cell phone reception in the mountains can be unreliable. You may be able to get a signal if you can see a town or if you are near a mountain hut. Even if you cannot get a signal inside the hut, you may be able to get one by stepping outside. Wi-fi is not widely available in the mountains, and is only offered at select lodges.

If you dress appropriately, you can typically complete most stages of the hike even in light rain. However, if a storm is forecasted, it is important to not hike and to wait until the storm passes, even if that means spending an additional day at the hut. This is for your own safety.

Most accommodations offer vegetarian meal options, although vegan options may be more difficult to find in huts. However, we will let you know in advance if there are any vegan options available so that you can plan accordingly.

In addition to the essential items such as hiking shoes, a backpack, and sports clothes, there are several other important items you should pack for your hut-to-hut hiking tour.

Check out our comprehensive list of recommended equipment.

While we do not require you to have insurance before booking, we strongly recommend that you do. Look into joining the Italian Alpine Club, which might provide coverage in the event of any unexpected incidents during your hike.

Mountain huts may not be luxurious, but they are cozy and comfortable, offering warm beds, delicious meals, and toilets. You can choose between private rooms and dormitories, but it is important to book in advance if you want to avoid sharing a room with other people. Keep in mind that huts are popular and can fill up quickly, so it is best to plan ahead to secure your preferred accommodation.

You can read all about the comfort of rifugios here.

As long as children are physically prepared for long hiking days and are sure-footed, they should not have any problems participating in the tour. We recommend that children be at least eight years old in order to ensure their safety and enjoyment of the experience.

None of the stages offer any shortcuts if you want to get to the end of your hike. If you get too tired, you can conclude your hike sooner at one of the road-equipped mountain passes or head for the nearest town.