The Alpe di Siusi is Overrated? (gasp!)

Sure, strolling the meadows might be too easy for some, but there is so much more to do on Alpe di Siusi, including hikes for “advanced hikers”, plus rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. I don’t know where Rick came up with that judgment.

We (advanced but now-aging hikers) been to the Dolomites for hiking four times, starting 20 years ago. Our most recent visit was last September, on a guided hiking trip with 12 others, with fairly difficult hikes every day. Two included visits to Alpe di Siusi, one from Santa Cristina in Val Gardena. And it was far from boring. Scroll down to Day 10:

https://www.mountainhikingholidays.com/dolomites-hiking-tour-in-italy/

We rode the chairlift to Monte Sëura and hiked a loop from there, starting along Alpe dimSiusi and through the rugged City Rocks to Tony Demetz hut, perched in a precarious position in the narrow notch between Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto. The views from the trail through the City of Rocks back across Alpe di Siusi were inspiring. After lunch at the hut, we had an exciting descent to Passo Gardena by telecabina, a lift with tiny 2 person cabins you ride standing up. It is not for the faint of heart (find photos in the second link below.). From the base of the lift we followed a trail to another lift to ride down to Selva in Val Gardena. There was a stop at another hut for strudel on the way.

https://www.tonidemetz.it/en/index.php

This may show the loop but they start and end at Passo Gardena. I am including this for the photos.

https://www.suedtirolerland.it/en/leisure-activities/mountains-and-hiking/in-the-val-gardena/through-the-sassolungo-group-to-the-toni-demetz-hut/

On two other days we did hikes on the other side, Seceda and Puez-Odle, and they were beautiful. But the loop hike to Tony Demtez hut would not be anti-climatic after those. If anything, it is more rugged and adventurous.

All hiking is essentially just walking. Flatter and on wider smoother paths through pretty meadows with killer views is not exactly "less advanced" and therefore boring.

I have done a ton of hard hiking in very rugged off trail terrain, verging on serious scrambling in places. And I'm not in the least bored by easier walks in beautiful places. Might prefer them in some ways.

If it was surfing or skiing or something where advanced participants are technically light-years ahead of beginners I can see the distinction. Bunny slopes are too easy. But hiking, again, is just walking. There's not really much technical separation between advanced and novice hikers that would make flatter walks boring like a bunny slope.

For example, a very beautiful hike from Passo Sella is taking the cable car to the tiny fork in the middle of Sassolungo and going back to starting point by making a whole turn around the left mountain in about 4-5 hours. I did it 50 years ago as a child, but the lunar landscape just down the fork is still in my memory.
You want to do it more advanced? You add two hours and you sweat your way climbing to the fork, without using the cable car....

The sight of the Sassolungo Massif from Alpe di Siusi is anything but boring. When you reach the plateau and see the mountain group in all of its immensity it is truly breathtaking. Overall the hiking is easy on Alpe di Siusi, but there are plenty of trails that lead to the surrounding peaks that are more challenging if you are looking for more "adventure". We really enjoy hiking around the Sassolungo massif itself: https://throneandvine.com/hiking-sassolungo-langkofel/ The circuit trail is challenging in spots and you are still able to enjoy sweeping vistas of the meadowland. If you want to make the hike even more difficult, consider adding a trek to Rifugio Vincenza, which is perched in the heart of Sassolongo: https://www.rifugiovicenza.com/en/ Have a wonderful trip!

Great suggestions all. We're now considering riding E-bikes on the Alpe Di SuIsi with a picnic. Also will aim to walk around Seceda same day.

Would anyone recommend either as a preference during the morning/afternoon? Seceda first or Alpe Di SuIsi?

Ciao..I just got thru with 2 weeks in the Dolomites..hiking in Val Gardena..stayed in Ortesei..and the Corvara..Alta Badia. First time..did not know what to expect. Well...expect magic! Those B4 me have given you great ideas..I will only tell you that no matter what you do..you will be amazed,! Majestic beauty everywhere..wildflowers will thrill you..an easy hike becomes 10 to 13 miles..on paths that you must carefully maneuver. The Dolomites present a different experience each day!! Go..have fun..enjoy the magic!!

I wasn’t bored for one second anywhere in the Dolomites. I stayed in Ortisei, which I loved, and took all the lifts multiple times. It’s all glorious IMHO.

RS guidebook suggests Castelrotto while many on this Forum like Ortisei. What are the pros and cons of each? Is it easy to access either from the other?

We just got back 3 weeks ago from 6 magical days in Ortisei and we went to the Alpe di Suisi. It is anything BUT boring or “same old/same old”. The pasture stretches for miles and the views are magnificent. You get a different prospective from each side of the different mountains and it is well worth the funicular ticket to go up. We did not have a car, so relying on public transportation was very easy to go from town to town. The entire town of Ortisei is very hilly, just as a warning, but really beautiful.

We were there yesterday in the Alpe Di Siusi and it is stunning. We’re here for a week and it’s been amazing except for a little rain. There were lots of families because it was Sunday but the area is massive so don’t worry about crowds. I wish we could post pictures. Enjoy your travels. This is our last full day here.

From all the praise about the Alpe Di SuIsi....maybe we should reconsider the Puez-Odle Altopiano trail! Amazing views with less the effort 😂