Get settled at your accommodation in Seis am Schlern, just below the Schlern massif. Alternatively, your first accommodation can also be in Ortisei, making the first stage of the hike a little longer. On the other hand, you would be able to explore more of Seiser Alm.
Your hiking adventure starts with a cable car up to Compatsch and leading you over the Seiser Alm plateau (Alpe di Siusi in Italian). The first part of the hike will be relatively flat as you stroll across green pastures and past grazing cattle. Every look could be a perfect photo. Walking past fairytale-like wooden chalets, you’ll arrive at the Saltner Hut. The route then takes you up switchbacks to the Schlern, the impressive mountain massif from where half of the Nature Park’s name comes. You will arrive at the Rifugio Bolzano (also called Schlernhaus), your hut for the night.
After settling at the hut, don’t miss the 20-minute hike to Monte Pez, the plateau’s highest peak, for a panoramic 360-view of the region. You can easily do it after dropping off the backpacks in the hut. If the weather is clear, the sunset up there is simply magical. You’ll find out where the Rosengarten mountain group got its name.
8.6 km; 750 m of elevation gain and 170 m of elevation loss
The next day, follow the spine of the Schlern massif towards the mountains you admired the previous evening. After some rocky sections, you’ll get to a saddle where the hut of Alpe di Tires awaits. Continue along the greener ridge of Cresta di Siusi with wonderful views of Rosengarten on your right until you reach Rifugio Sasso Piatto, located at the foot of Plattkofel.
12 km; 500 m of elevation gain and 640 m of elevation loss
On the fourth day, you’re going to hike around the iconic Langkofel group, the background mountains present in almost every photo of Alpe di Siusi. The trail first takes you to the north, first below Plattkofel. After passing a “canyon” between it and its brother Langkofel, you hike forwards towards its east side. There you will see the Sella Massif and continue your hike through the Citta dei Sassi or the City of Stones, before finishing at your accommodation on the Sella Pass.
11 km; 500 m of elevation gain and 560 m of elevation loss
You still won’t say goodbye to Langkofel, as you pass its southern slopes in the first part of day 5. You’ll almost reach the finishing saddle of the third day before you turn left and start descending to the valley of Val Duron. After getting down to Rifugio Micheluzzi, you’ll slightly ascend through the green valley back towards the west. From there, the route takes you high into the Rosengarten mountains. While ascending, the green surroundings will turn rockier, showing the true nature of the limestone Dolomites.
You’ll arrive at Lake Antermoia, where the same-named Rifugio lies, nested in the heart of the beautiful mountain range.
12 km; 900 m of elevation gain and 630 m of elevation loss
You’re in the heart of Rosengarten now. The last hike in the high mountains will see you ascend higher to Passo d’Antermoia, the highest point of your hut-to-hut adventure, at 2770 meters above sea level. As you reach Rifugio Passo Principe, admire the magnificent limestone rock formations all around you. From there, you will hike down the high-mountain valley to Rifugio Valojet and slowly leave this mythical place. Pass a few more huts and the first trees will start appearing before the landscape turns into a full-blown forest. The hike ends at your accommodation in Val di Fassa.
13.7 km; 350 m of elevation gain and 1520 m of elevation loss
Your hut-to-hut hike in the Dolomites is officially over. Reflect on the wonderful memories of the last week, and maybe even start brainstorming a new one. We can help you with the transfer to the airport or your next destination in the Dolomites.
This hut-to-hut hike will take you through mesmerizing landscapes, revealing the legends of King Laurin’s rose garden and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Dolomites.
Get ready for an unforgettable hut-to-hut experience as you traverse picturesque plateaus, marvel at jagged peaks, and find solace in cozy mountain huts.
Your adventure begins with your arrival in Seis am Schlern, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the charming surroundings before setting off on your hike. Over a week, you’ll traverse the Seiser Alm plateau, ascend the Schlern Massif, hike around the iconic Langkofel group, and venture deep into the heart of the Rosengarten mountains. The tour culminates in a descent through a picturesque forest, bringing you to your final destination in Val di Fassa.
Throughout your journey, you’ll have the opportunity to stay in authentic mountain huts, or rifugios, nestled high up in the Alps. These cozy lodges offer a warm atmosphere, comfortable accommodations, and mouthwatering homemade South Tyrolian dishes to recharge your energy after a long day of hiking.
Our hut-to-hut tour is designed to provide you with a seamless and enjoyable experience. We take care of all rifugio bookings, ensuring that you have a comfortable place to rest each night. To keep you on track, we equip you with a precise GPS track of the planned route, as well as a detailed written itinerary that includes daily highlights and points of interest.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the enchanting landscapes of the Dolomites on our Seiser Alm & Schlern-Rosengarten hike. Inquire about the adventure today and experience the magic and beauty of this legendary region.
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.
There are several ways to get to the Dolomites. If you are flying to Europe, you can then combine your flight with a bus, train, or car ride.
You can read more about it on our subpage.
