//
Dolomite plateau and Alpine meadow in Italy
Photo: Original uploader was Luiclemens at it.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Seiser Alm (Italian: Alpe di Siusi, Ladin: Mont Sëuc) is the largest alpine plateau in Europe in the South Tyrolean Dolomites in Italy with a size of 57 km². At an altitude of 970 m, it is one of the largest closed high plateaus in the Alps. The area, which has been intensively developed for tourists, is a great place to take long walks and bike rides in the summer and to go skiing and snowboarding in winter.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
The witches' benches are to be found in the summit of the Puflatsch (2176 m) and look like armchair-shaped, rock steps; From this unique rock formation one gets a beautiful view over Kastelruth and the Val Gardena valley. According to the legend (seen posted on a wooden board near the Puflatsch mountain farmhouse), the witches sit on the witches' benches as they enjoy the beautiful view. At night the Schlern witches, according to the same legend, gather together at the witches' benches, before they fly over the Seiser Alm with joyous cries, celebrating wildly.
The Church of St. Francis (Italian: Chiesa di San Francesco, Ladin: Dlieja de San Francesch) was built in Compatsch in 2008 and consecrated to St. Francis (Francis of Assisi) on 20 September 2009. Already in the 1960s there had been plans to build a church on the Alpe di Siusi. The architect Walter Walter chose the dove as the basis for the design of the Franciscan church, since, in addition to the symbol for the Holy Spirit, it is the biblical original motif for peace and security, understanding and encounter. Thus, the outline of the church is shaped like a dove.
Pfarrkirche St. Leonhard is a small listed church in Pufels, a small hamlet north of the Alpe di Siusi, which belongs administratively to Kastelruth. The first chapel of the cattle patron St. Leonhard in Pufels was built in Romanesque style no later than the 13th century. Towards the end of the fifteenth century it was gothicized and enlarged; The first mention of this church in historical records was in 1339. The Romanesque tower is still preserved, while it was expanded in 1555 and extended and baroque in 1740. In 1855 the church ship was expanded, in 1895 the tower helmet was built. Also worth seeing in Pufels is the Rosarium Uhrerhof
This is a visually striking parish church found in the nearby village of Seis am Schlern, which is to the south of Kastelruth, in the foothills of the Schlern.
Grödner Joch
A mountain pass from which some hikes can also be done towards the Sella Joch.
The Hans & Paula Steger trail (trail number 30) between Compatsch and Saltria is a 4.65-km-long natural and cultural trail that is also suitable for prams. Information boards at the edge of the road describe the area and tell about the legend of the Partschott. The hike can be shortened or lengthened as desired by several bus stops at the edge of the road and further hiking trails. If there is sufficient snow cover, the trail is used in winter as a winter hiking trail; cross-country ski runs can be safely made over bridges.
The trail, also known as the Puflatschrund, has a length of about 10 km and is marked as No. 14, No. 24 and PU. It runs from Compatsch over the Arnikahütte to the Gollerkreuz. From this one walks with beautiful view past the legendary Witches' benches and the summit of the Puflatsches and on to the Filinerkreuz. After this the trail loops back southwards over the Puflatschalpe to Compatsch.
This trail, marked as No. 7A, 9 and 557, connects to the Sella Joch on about 10.5 km of Saltria. On the way you will pass the Zallinger Hütte (2037 m), the (2300 m), the Rifugio Sandro Pertini (2300 m), the Rifugio Friedrich August (2298 m) and the Rifugio Salei (2222 m). The ascent from Saltria can be shortened with the Florianlift. There is a bus stop at the Sella Joch, from where you can go down to Val Gardena.
The trail has a circular route over a very invigorating 2 km. It begins at the Tirler Alm/Hotel Tirler and is marked by works of art on the witch Curandina and the wise owl Emma. Intermediate routes and stations of the sense trail are among other things the natural monument sulfur springs in the "Hexenwald" and the Hexenblick Puflatsch.
5h, Red-class hike, Seilbach-haus
The trail leads from the Langkofelhütte (Italian: Rifugio Vicenza, Ladin: Utia de Dantersasc) (2253 m) up to the Plattkofel (2860 m). As medium-difficulty climb (2nd difficulty level (UIAA)), it has only a few secured sections, and is not recommended for beginners! Because of the great danger of rocking next to the usual climbing equipment, wear a protective helmet. The descent from the Plattkofel takes place via the much-traveled and easy-to-reach hiking trail no. 527, from which you can cross the Friedrich-August-Weg back to the Sella Joch.
This runs from the Tierser-Alpl-Hütte (Italian: Rifugio Alpe di Tires) (2444 m) over the entire Rosszahnkamm. Through short secured sections is the climbing route in the second difficulty level (UIAA). In the Roterdscharte (2435 m) there is an emergency descent to the south. The descent begins west of the Roterdspitze (2655 m) and leads back to the. This can be reached from Compatsch either via the Rosszahnscharte (2499 m) or the Dialer-Seiser Alm Hütte (2145).
This half-marathon started in 2013 and is held every year. The 21-km stretch has 601 m of elevation gain. The number of participants is limited to 500 runners. The Seiser Alm Running Expo is part of the half marathon. The Seiser Alm is a traditional training area for the Kenyan marathon runners during the first months of the summer, which helps prepare themselves for the autumn marathons under the special altitude conditions of the Seiser Alm.
Italian: Rifugio Williams
A restaurant that has one end point of the Florian chairlift right next to it.
Gostner Schwaige is regularly awarded 14 points by the gourmet guide "Gault Millau". All dishes are freshly prepared. The alpine hut is located at an altitude of 1900 m.
The Rauchhütte in the heart of the Alpe di Siusi is near the road between Compatsch and Saltria at an altitude of 1750 m, which is why it is also easy to reach by bus.
The Sanon Hut is probably the most rustic hut on the Alpe di Siusi (1800 m). It is open from early December to Easter, and in the summer season from late May to late October.
The Mahlknechthütte is at an altitude of 2054 m and is open from mid-May to early November, as well as from Christmas to Easter and is open for lunch to all. Dinner is by reservation only for its guests.
Berghaus Zallinger
With public transport
The bus number 10 "Seiser Alm Express" operates in the high season every day up to the Seiser Alm. It's route is Seis Bushof—Kastelruth Bushof—Info Point—Spitzbühl-Frommer—Compatsch.
Cable cars and chair lifts
A variety of lifts and cable cars are spread over the Alpe di Siusi. Below is a small selection:
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Bolzano (BZ) · Regional · BZO
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Seiser Alm and Italy.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind out how much does a trip to Italy cost in 2026. Compare realistic daily budgets for hotels, food, trains, and museum entry across three travel styles.
8 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.