Castelrotto

Are you there on a Sunday night in October? If so I advise you to eat early...which you probably will with kiddos.

I was there on a Sunday evening in early October on a RS tour. The guide didn't realize many restaurants were closed Sundays as the season is winding down then so miscalculated timing for the group to be let go for dinner. I ate with 3 other tour members at Zur Alten Schmeide which is burgers, pizza, appetizers, maybe pasta, beer and wine. It was actually really good. LOTS of locals in there including several groups of men dressed in Alpini costumes with the felt hats with feathers. I am not sure if they were band members or what. The website only shows pizza but there are more selections although your boys will probably be happy with pizza. We were literally the last folks they seated as they were crammed full...some tour members didn't get dinner until very late as things were closing as they walked up to the doors.

http://www.zuraltenschmiede.it/en/

We had a tour dinner at Restaurant Saalstuben which was fancier with table cloths, etc. I'm vegan so my opinion of this restaurant does not count. I think the tour members were happy with their fairly meat-heavy meal. Very traditional, local food.

https://www.saalstuben.com/en/

I would definitely go up to Compatsch on Seiser Alm to hike. My word...what a stunning location. Hiking is not difficult at all if you are in to easier trails. SO gorgeous! In early Oct the tour bus was able to drive to the top but some times of the year the top is accessed only by public transportation.

Either on the way to or on to your next destination I woudl stop at Bolzano at the Archeology Museum to see Otzi the Iceman. The day I was there there were tons of school groups and they seemed to be having a marvelous time. This was an awesome museum and one of the reasons I took this Italy tour.

Thank you very much, I will look these up!

What activities did you do while there? Hiking? Is there a gondola to the top of a mountain?

I was there 2 nights, one full day on the Best of Italy tour. Yes, the whole group went up and did various hikes/walks/scenery gawking. Since the tour bus took us up I do not have experience with the gondola but yes, I believe there is one. There is also bus transportation from the open air bus station in Castelrotto but I’m not clear as to whether it just goes to the foot of the gondola or if it goes all the way to Compatsch. There we’re definitely local buses going up there as I watched them come and go, though. Also watched cows being herded down the road, haha!

You might find it helpful to have a look at the current copy of the RS Italy guidebook. The section on Castelrotto begins on page 201.

There isn't a gondola but rather a small chair lift (similar to ski hills) travelling up to Marinzen. However, I'm not sure if that will be operating in October? That might depend on when in October you'll be there. There's a small café at the top as well as an animal park that kids might enjoy. I recall some playful goats there that really enjoyed attention from visitors.

There are hiking trails from Marinzen that would allow a hike to Alpi di Siusi and other locations, but I didn't try them.

Very helpful! Thank you!!

there a gondola to the top of a mountain?

Take the bus from Castelrotto to Siusi where you will find the Seiser Alm Cableway. Check out the Hans and Paula Steger Nature Trail for a good hike https://www.seiser-alm.it/en/leisure-activities/mountains-and-hiking/hans-and-paula-steger-trail/. You don’t have to do the whole trail and can bail out part way taking a bus back after about two miles where the trail meets the road. Take a look at this map I created to show the whole trail as well as the optional return bus stop https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1020806. You’ll also see noted a few options for lunch/snack.

Another option once at Compatsch is to walk down to the Bullacia lift and go up to take the Trail of the Witches , which is described in the Rick Steves guidebook. There is a great little rifugio for lunch at Arnikahütte.

I would suggest driving to Ortisei and taking the gondola up to Seceda - it's one of the most spectacular views in all of the alps with easy hikes along the ridge. You can also take the Mont Seuc gondola from Ortisei up to the Seiser Alm - the largest alpine meadow in Europe. It's ringed by spectacular mountains. You can do some very easy hikes out on to the meadow, eat at one of the farm restaurants (very casual) and enjoy the views. In Ortisei I would recommend the Mauriz Keller restaurant - the food is very good and it's a good atmosphere with kids. Which part of October will you be there? This is shoulder season and a lot of the gondolas and restaurants start shutting down a week or two into the month. I know that the Mont Seuc gondola will close on 10/10 this year. I believe that Seceda is open until the first week of November.

Suggest hiking to Mount Calvary (also known as Kofel Hill) on the edge of town. It is a short hike and the views of the Castelrotto with Schlern mountain as the backdrop are breathtaking!

The Mont Seuc cable car from Ortisei to the Seiser Alm runs until 11/2/2023. Great for walks and hikes. We were there in mid October and the outdoor tables at the restaurant at the top of the cable car were open for business.

Oh yay! This makes me happy

https://www.funiviaortisei.eu/en/home

https://www.funiviaortisei.eu/en/timetable-prices