I have started an “Old Ladies Travel Group”!! There are 4 of us going on the best of Italy tour in early October!! Ages 62-70 and we are in good health!! We are excited about going to the Alpe de siusi for some beautiful walks!!! And stopping at the huts for yummy food!!! Would like to know what are considered the easy and shorter walks/hikes!! We are there for the scenery, food and fun!! Not for a 10 mile hike up the mountain!!
When we stayed in the town of Castelrotto, we took a shuttle bus to a small place called Compatsch. If memory serves correctly, we set out on foot directly from there across the meadow. Walked out a hour or so and then returned to catch shuttle bus back. It was a pretty level pathway (some minor ups and downs) that was some type of semi hard gravel. Not strenuous at all -- more like a summer walk than a hike. The views of the meadow and the mountains were spectacular and well worth doing! If you do go walking / hiking in that area, know that the weather can change and change quickly. We had overcast skys, then bright sunshine, then a mist, and then sleet and hail. And then sunshine as we shuttled back down. Will do it again if in the area.
Disneygal,
You may be interested in reading this book written by Laurel, one of our forum members:
Walking Italy’s Val-Gardena
She and her husband, Ric, lived in Rome for almost 5 years and have visited the Dolomites multiple times.
I’ve not been there (yet), but when I do, I plan to read her (their) book!
Enjoy your travels!
Rick Steve’s guide book does a great job explaining how to take a gondola to the Alpe de siusi from Castlerotto. He describes several hikes once you arrive at the top of the meadow. We took one of the easy ones, might be called the Trail of Witches, with beautiful views and a restaurant with a patio at the end.
Where are you and your friends staying on the tour, and how will you get to Alpe di Siusi? It is a broad, nearly flat plateau bounded by mountain peaks which make for gorgeous scenery. The meadow is laced with easy trails and there are rustic restaurants dotted around here and there. We spent 5 nights up there with our family last September, and hiked and biked every day. On one day there was as Alphorn concert at one of the restaurants, and we all went there after meeting up for lunch at a different one, with great views from the outside tables. It’s all good. Be sure and check the event schedule for the area before you decide when to go—- you may find something similar.
I just have to say that you will love it! And yes, get Laurel's book.