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Dolomite Help Needed - Hiking/lifts from Castelrotto to Ortisei

Hi all,

I'm trying to understand the size of the Alpe di Siusi and if the following is possible:

If we start in Castelrotto (arrive by bus from Bolzano)...

Can we take the lift from Castelrotto to Alpe di Siusi, hike and take lifts across to the Mezdi and then take the lift down to Ortisei?

I can't seem to get a fix on whether this is possible. It seems like it would be about 3.5 miles hiking all together, with several lifts. Topographically, it seems most the hiking would be flat, as we use the lifts to bridge the inclines/valleys. Is this true?

We are staying in Ortisei, so I'm trying to combine a visit to Castelrotto with seeing/hiking the Alpe di Siusi without having to go back to Castelrotto and taking the bus to Ortisei.

Thank you in advance!

Melissa

Posted by
29042 posts

I can't answer your question, but just about any bus trip in the Dolomites is worth taking at least once for the scenery.

Posted by
388 posts

thanks acraven, we do have that on our list! We are going from Ortisei to Sankt Lorenzen via bus a few days later.

Posted by
11994 posts

We have hiked from Compatsch, at the top of the gondola lift that comes up from Siusi (the big blue cabins) all the way to Mont Sëuc, which is where one catches the gondola down to Ortisei. (I do not know "Mezdi.") There is no need lifts in between although the one at Sonne can help you avoid an uphill trek at the very end. The hike takes us about 2 hours and is about 4 miles. Here is a write up I did on that very hike. Arriving at the top, make your way to the little village where you will find toilets, cafes, etc. (We always stop for a pre-hike cappuccino.)

When you are ready to depart Compatsch, head down the main road and turn left by the church to find the start of Trail #30, signed as the “Hans und Paula Steger Weg/Sentiero Hans & Paula Steger.” This section leads one gently through the lower meadow with views of Bullacia and some information stations about flora, fauna, and geology. Rejoining the road, turn left onto the path alongside the road, now Trail #3. Follow this until an intersection with Trail #6. Turn left here and follow signs to Baita Sanon Hütte (also sometimes called Malga Sanon), a great place for a break with good food, a WC, and great views. Continuing on, follow #6 toward Sporthotel Sonne (also signed as Sole), across rolling meadow always with a marvelous view. Sonne, a full-service hotel and restaurant, is another fine place for a break. Here you are less than 30 minutes on foot from Mont Sëuc, an uphill slog, in our opinion. We recommend hopping on the chairlift behind the Sporthotel Sonne (lift closed 12:30-13:30) and arriving at the top in style. A short walk brings you to a gorgeous viewpoint over the Alpe di Siusi to the mountains, Restaurant Mont Sëuc, and the ovovia to Ortisei. Descend to Ortisei and walk across the bridge to the center of the village, a short distance from the bus piazza.

This is about a 2-hour hike plus breaks, bus, and lifts, so five hours give-or-take as an outing, roundtrip from Ortisei. Alternatively, one can take Trail #9 or a combination of #9, #6, and #6A to ascend to the lift station at Mont Sëuc for a longer and slightly more strenuous hike. A point of confusion: not all maps call the top of the lift Ovovia Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi Mont Sëuc. Some of the less detailed maps just label the area as Piz.

The lift at Sonne and the ovovia are included in the Val Gardena Card.

Hiking boots and trekking sticks are optional. Much of this route is paved and the part that is not is easy to navigate.

Posted by
22275 posts

So you have all your belongings in back packs and prepared to carry with you on a 3 1/2 mile hike?
Another factor: what will the weather be like on the day you want to do this? Rain would not be fun.
Other than that, looks like you could hike from the top of the gondola from Kastleruth (Compatsch) to the Sporthotel Sonne, then the Sole Lift up to the Restaurant Mont Seuc, then ride the gondola down to Ortisei.

Posted by
388 posts

Thanks Laurel!

I have your book (I haven't finished - 1/2 way thru!) so I value your inputs. Your response is very helpful.

Sam - We will not have our backpacks, as we will have arrived to Ortisei several days before, but we will go to Bolzano for the morning this day and when we come back, I was wondering if we could do an afternoon hike while making our way back to Ortisei. Thank you for your response!

thanks all!