Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)
Stretching over 56 square kilometres above the Val Gardena valley, Alpe di Siusi is the largest high-altitude alpine meadow in Europe — a rolling, flower-carpeted plateau that makes the jagged Dolomite peaks behind it look almost theatrical by contrast. Summer wildflowers and winter cross-country skiing make it a year-round destination.
Summer on the Plateau
From late June to mid-July the meadows explode with purple crocuses, yellow arnica and pale blue harebells — a botanical spectacle that draws photographers from across the continent. The plateau is crisscrossed by easy walking and cycling trails; rent an e-bike in Compatsch (the main plateau village) and loop out to the Saltria area for the classic postcard view of the Sassolungo group.
The plateau is car-free between 9 am and 5 pm from late May to October; access is by gondola from Ortisei or Siusi, or by the Seiser Alm Bahn cable car from Seis. This keeps the meadows blissfully peaceful during the busiest hours and makes wildlife sightings — marmots, red deer, golden eagles — genuinely common.
Winter Cross-Country Paradise
In winter Alpe di Siusi becomes one of the finest Nordic skiing destinations in the Alps, with 80 km of groomed cross-country tracks at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,350 m. The snow reliability here is exceptional: the plateau typically holds a solid base from December through March.
For downhill skiers, the Compatsch area connects into the vast Dolomiti Superski circuit, giving access to over 1,200 km of pistes across the wider region on a single ski pass. Après-ski at Rifugio Tirler, a family-run mountain hut with panoramic terraces and outstanding Schlutzkrapfen (spinach-ricotta pasta pockets), is a ritual worth building your day around.
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