Hiking on the Seiser Alm & in the Schlern region
The Seiser Alm and the Schlern region are characterised by vast alpine meadows, striking rock formations and a dense network of hiking trails. The main attraction of hiking in this part of the Dolomites is the perfect mix of easy trails, long hut-to-hut routes and alpine destinations. Between Kastelruth, Seis, Völs and Tiers, open high plateaus, the Schlern plateau and the vicinity of the Rosengarten alternate. The area boasts around 350 km of hiking trails.
Seiser Alm, Schlern & the main starting points
The area has several distinct focal points. Seis am Schlern is the classic gateway to the Seiser Alm. Kastelruth is a good starting point for tours towards the Rosszähne and the Schlern. Völs am Schlern combines hiking holidays with destinations at the foot of the Schlern massif, whilst Tiers am Rosengarten is more oriented towards the Rosengarten and the Tierser Alpl. On the Seiser Alm itself, Compatsch is the main starting point. Access for private cars is closed there between 9:00 and 17:00; the Seis cable car takes hikers straight up.
Top hikes in the Seiser Alm-Schlern area
On the picturesque high alpine pasture in the Dolomites, there are many family-friendly hiking tours.
Laurin Moser - Seiser Alm MarketingAnyone looking for hiking tours on the Seiser Alm and in the Schlern area will find routes with very different profiles. These range from easily accessible alpine pastures and vantage points to long day hikes with significant elevation gain:
- Prossliner Schwaige – a rewarding hike from Bad Ratzes near Seis with beautiful views of the Schlern.
- Hexenstühle – a shorter hike on the Puflatsch with a striking vantage point and a direct destination.
- Sellajoch – a long but not overly difficult hike from Saltria via the Friedrich-August-Weg; 10.5 km, 816 m elevation gain, 7 hours.
- Schlern Massif High Plateau – a classic route from the Seiser Alm to the Schlern high plateau. The starting point is the top station of the Seiser Alm cable car in Seis.
- Schlernhaus – a long circular route starting from Compatsch, covering 22.4 km, 1,267 metres of elevation gain and taking 7 hours.
- Rosszahnscharte – a significantly longer route starting from Kastelruth, covering 30 km and 1,557 metres of elevation gain; a clear choice for experienced hikers.
Ideal for short days, excellent for long hikes
A hiking holiday on the Seiser Alm and in the Schlern area suits all levels of ability. Those planning a half-day or leisurely hike will find several easily accessible trails on the high alpine pastures, leading to mountain huts and offering sweeping panoramic views. Those looking for longer distances are better off opting for routes such as the Sella Pass, Schlernhaus or Rosszahnscharte. It is precisely the combination of easily accessible alpine hikes and distinctly alpine destinations that makes the area so versatile.
The infrastructure is a real advantage for hiking in this Dolomite region. The cable car from Seis to Compatsch significantly facilitates access to the high alpine pastures. Added to this are easily identifiable starting points such as Kastelruth, Seis, Völs and Tiers. This means the area can be explored effectively for a single day’s hiking or for several days. It remains important to check the weather, season and mountain hut opening times locally.
Frequently asked questions
Which routes are best suited for a shorter day’s hike?
Shorter or more straightforward destinations include, for example, the Prossliner Schwaige or the Hexenstühle. There are also several easily accessible trails on the Seiser Alm itself, leading to huts.
Which routes are more suited to experienced hikers?
These include, above all, the Schlernhaus, the Rosszahnscharte and the hike to the Sellajoch. These routes involve significantly greater distances, higher elevation gains or take longer to complete.
Where is the best place to start for hikes in this area?
Key starting points include Seis am Schlern, Compatsch, Kastelruth, Völs am Schlern, Tiers am Rosengarten and Saltria. Depending on the route, the most sensible starting point can vary considerably.
