Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi Dolomites Hiking Tour (2025)

HIGHLIGHTS OF VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES TOUR

• Explore Alpe di Siusi – the Europe’s largest alpine plateau with truly idyllic views

• Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Odle spires

• See the South Tyrol’s major landmark Sciliar from the best viewpoints and ascend atop of it

• Feel the relaxing atmosphere of the charming Val Gardena villages

• Combine a multiday hut-to-hut trek with a couple of exciting day hikes from the basecamp

VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES TOUR DESCRIPTION

A gateway to the Dolomites, the Val Gardena valley and its mountains offer a wide range of light treks on well-maintained trails. Val Gardena is surrounded by a chain of beautiful dolomite mountains with Sella, Sassolungo and Odle being among the most famous landmarks of the Dolomites. The adjacent Alpe di Siusi or Seiseralm plateau makes a significant contribution to the fame of Val Gardena. It is a beautiful alpine plateau – the largest on the European continent – with an idyllic landscape dominated by meadows with sparsely distributed small forests. At its border, Alpe di Siusi is highlighted by the Sciliar, or Schlern in German, with its two distinguishable towers Santer and Euringer.

This hiking tour features relatively easy walks taking around 5 hours hut to hut. You will be walking through a variety of landscapes. After a start from the forest belt you will proceed to the meadows of Alpe di Siusi, reach the high-altitude region atop of the Sciliar massif and then descend to the meadows surrounding the Sassolungo massif. The 6 and 7 Day Tours include one and two optional day hikes from the basecamp location respectively thus letting you explore the Odle group.

This tour is a good choice for those who do not have multiday hiking experience and the hikers preferring short and light daytime treks between the huts. Although it is Level 2 hiking trip, a basic level of physical training is nevertheless a must. The route is available as a custom tour on the dates of your choice in both guided and self-guided formats.

VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES TOUR: 5-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Val Gardena

You arrive in Val Gardena on your own, check into the hotel and rest. The basecamp hotels are located in Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva. All three are convenient starting points for the hike. Ortisei is the larger and more populated location and might even be considered a small town. Santa Cristina and Selva are small holiday villages that allow you to get a better feel for the alpine atmosphere.

Day 2: Alpe di Siusi (Seiseralm) Plateau

On the first day, the hike passes across the Alpe di Siusi plateau. This is the largest highland plateau in the Alps. It is more than 50 square kilometers in area, and soars to a height of around 2,000 m. The plateau’s landscape is dominated by meadows, despite the fact that in ancient times this area was covered with forest. For more than a thousand years people have used Alpe di Siusi as summer pasture land. The Alpe di Siusi plateau is known for its breathtaking panoramic views. These include a spectacular vista of the Sciliar massif, along with the distinct Santer tower, a well-known symbol of Southern Tyrol. Overnight accommodation is provided in a mountain hut, famous for its excellent views of the Rosengarten massif. And don’t miss the opportunity to admire the spectacular sunset!

• Hiking Details: Ascent 820 m. Descent 370 m. Distance 13 km. Hiking time 5 hours.

Day 3: Atop of the Sciliar (Schlern) Group

In the morning, it is well worth the 100-meter climb from the hut to the top of the Sciliar massif, Monte Pez. From here, you will have a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the whole Alpe di Siusi plateau. The cool morning air provides good visibility for doing so. During the day, however, it becomes impossible to see the view. Today, the trail will lead you through the mountain area of the Sciliar massif to the southern tip of the Alpe di Siusi plateau. This route runs along the border of the Antermoia group, providing a rare glimpse into this “Lost World” from the outside. The trail ends at the foot of the Sassolungo group, where you stop for the night at the next mountain hut. From the high ground here, you can view the chain of Dolomite massifs around the Val di Fassa valley. The Marmolada and its vertical north face are also clearly visible.

• Hiking Details: Ascent 500 m. Descent 630 m. Distance 13 km. Hiking time 5 hours.

Day 4: Sassolungo (Langkofel) Group

Today, the route bends around the Sassolungo group and comes to an end in the Passo Sella pass. This is a straightforward track, with only the slightest of changes in altitude. There is also a range of beautiful panoramas along the route. First of all, you will be able to see the Alpe di Siusi plateau, and later the Puez-Odle and Sella mountain groups. If you wish, today you can also opt for a slightly more complex path and pass through the highland region of Sassolungo. This detour will allow you to get a broad panoramic view of the Sella group from a height of 2,700 m. Sassolungo and Sella are separated by the Passo Sella, one of the Dolomites’ “larger” passes. In ancient times, this proved a serious obstacle to any travelers and traders intent on wending their way through it, but now is accessible to all.

• Hiking Details: Ascent 360 m. Descent 490 m. Distance 10 km. Hiking time 5 hours.

Day 5: Departure from Val Gardena

Today, the 5 Day Tour comes to a close. If you chose the 6 or 7 Day Tour, you still have time for one or two day hikes along the panoramic trails of the Puez-Odle group.

DATES & PRICES FOR THE 5-DAY VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES HIKING TOUR

• 30% is due once we’ve confirmed your accommodations. The remainder is due 21 days in advance.
• Private 2-, 3- and 4-bed rooms can be reserved in advance in some of the mountain huts if available and with a € 15 supplement per person per night
• €120 single supplement (basecamp rooms)

GETTING TO ITALY

The base camp locations are Val Gardena where you will start the hike and Karerpass, Carezza or Val di Fassa where you will finish your hike.

Verona is the closest airport to Val Gardena (2:19 hours driving time, ~ 4 hours by train and bus), but it’s relatively small.

The nearest large international airport is Venice (3:30 hours driving time). More distant but still convenient airports are Bologna (3:32 hours driving time), Munich (3:55 hours driving time) and Milan (4:21 hours driving time. Note it’s also possible to come by train or bus, but it will take longer.

We recommend the same airports for traveling from Karerpass, Carezza and Val di Fassa after your hike.

Once you’ve booked your tour, we can help you plan your route from the airport and provide you with train and bus schedules: please contact us before you book the flights.

Accommodation

The first and last nights of your trip are in one of our basecamp hotels. While hiking, you will stay overnight in the mountain huts.

You can count on the following services in the mountain huts: a bed in a shared room or in a private room (must be booked in advance), a shower with hot water, toilets, meals, and a possibility to buy take away water and snacks such as sandwiches and chocolate.

Shared rooms are equipped with bunk beds with mattresses, pillows and blankets. Bed linen is not provided in shared bedrooms: you must have a sleeping bag liner with you. Typically, it is a light cotton bag. A warm sleeping bag is unnecessary since there are blankets in the bedrooms.

In private rooms you are often offered bed linen, thus a sleeping bag liner is not required. If you book private rooms, we inform you whether you need to bring a sleeping bag liner.

Most huts have a heating system, but it is normally not required in the summer months. You will need clean footwear for the huts: light slides are an ideal solution.

Clothing and Gear

Proper hiking boots are a must for the mountains. We recommend high boots because they support the ankle better than low boots or hiking shoes and provide better stability on rocky terrain.

Even in the middle of the summer in the Dolomites, you must bring some warm clothes with you: a waterproof and windproof jacket, a fleece jacket, long trekking pants and a cap. A raincoat, poncho or another type of rainwear is necessary. You can see our Dolomites Packing List on Amazon.

Other necessary items are toiletries, light clean footwear to use in the huts, sunglasses and at least two one-litre bottles for water. You’ll receive a detailed packing list specifically for your trip at the booking, but you can also check out our trekking packing list in the meantime. We ask all participants to read it carefully and be well-prepared for the hiking trip.

Meals

In hut-to-hut hiking tours, you are served breakfast and dinner in the huts and mountain hotels on the route.

Breakfast is normally served from 7 am to 9 am. It usually includes an unlimited quantity of coffee and tea, bread, butter, jam, honey and chocolate spread.

In addition, some huts offer ham, cheese and muesli for breakfast. After breakfast, we recommend filling your thermos with hot water or tea: ask the staff, and it will be for free in most huts.

Dinner in the mountain huts is typically served from 7 pm or 7:30 pm for all guests. A typical dinner in a hut is very rich and includes a starter, the first course (such as pasta, risotto, and dumplings), the second course (meat with a side dish) and a dessert.

Drinks at dinner (water, wine, beer, tea, coffee) are not included and ned to be paid for separately.

Lunch. It is possible to stop for lunch in the mountain huts on the route. The lunch menu in the huts is similar to the dinner menu. Typically, there is a choice of pasta for 7 – 10 euros. Other dishes cost 9 – 16 euros.

Self-Guided Dolomites Hiking Tour Safety Considerations

For our self-guided Dolomites hiking tours, it’s necessary to be properly dressed, follow the safety rules and make realistic time calculations for day crossings – preferably according to the hiking schedule that we provide.

Our self-guided hiking trips in the Dolomites are planned so that they do not require specific skills or gear unless it is clearly specified in the tour description. However, you do need to have a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

You can expect well-maintained trails equipped with direction signs. Exposed sections of the trail are secured on the self-guided routes: it makes them safe provided that you follow the basic safety rules for hiking in the mountains.

Mountains are a natural environment with a high level of risk, so we insistently ask all participants to read the safety rules and emergency procedures.

Insurance and Visa

Insurance: It is important to have appropriate insurance that covers the hiking activity. You don’t need to include the climbing activity in your insurance unless you are planning to climb during the hike.

Visa: We will provide you with a booking confirmation for all days of your trip. If you need an Italian visa, you can enclose this document with your visa application.

Weather in the Dolomites

The most stable weather conditions in the Dolomites are statistically from the second week of July till the middle of September.

This period in the Dolomites is characterized by warm sunny weather and modest rainfall. Earlier in June, the weather is normally favorable, but it is less reliable, and the mountain passes may be blocked by snow remaining from the winter.

In June we may have to change the route depending on the snow situation on the passes.

The second half of September in the Dolomites is a beautiful period, but the weather is again less predictable: the probability of incessant rain increases, and it may snow at an altitude above 2,000 meters.

It is not usually hot in the Dolomites at an elevation of 2,000 m (6,560 ft) and above where most of the hiking routes pass. On a sunny day in August, the temperature at 2,000 m can reach 20° C (68° F) during the warmest hours of the day. It’s comfortable for hiking.

On a cold cloudy day, the temperature can stay at around 10° C (34° F) during the entire day. It is always chilly at night and early in the morning.

Thunderstorms, often with hail, are typical for the warmest months (July and August).

In the Dolomites valleys at the altitudes of 1,000 – 1,500 m (3,280 – 4,920 ft) the day temperature can reach 27° C (80° F). It’s fresh in the valleys in the morning and evening, and it is not stuffy at night even in the hottest weeks of the summer.

BOOK YOUR SELF-GUIDED HIKING TOUR IN THE DOLOMITES: VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSINOW

Thank you for your interest in booking this tour. You’ve made a good choice. Our Hiking the Alta Via 1 Self-Guided Tour is absolutely stunning and you can reward yourselves after hiking with stunning mountain views and Italian hospitality.

Please contact us to book this tour.

Book Your Val Gardena and Alpe Di Siusi Hiking Tour & You’ll Get…

✅ Great value for money

✅ Freedom to hike on your own schedule with the people you choose

✅ To avoid the hassles of booking accommodations that have to be booked by phone or email (there’s no central booking system to check availability)

✅ Alternative routes(when available) to make your hike easier when your legs have had enough

✅ Our insider knowledge to reserve the best accommodations based on what’s important to you (i.e. location, comfort, etc)

✅ Tours that are designed by hikers for hikers. We combine our knowledge and experience with our local partners to provide you with an amazing hiking tour.

PHOTOS OF VAL GARDENA AND ALPE DI SIUSI DOLOMITES HIKING TOUR