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Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi Hiking Tour

Highlights

  • 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

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.

Flexible booking and cancellation terms apply to the 2024 trips. For details, please visit Booking Terms 2024.

Trip Overview

StyleHut to Hut Hiking

DifficultyLevel 2information

Activity3 - 5 hiking daysinformation

Tour Duration5 - 7 days / 4 - 6 nights

Start / FinishVal Gardena

Self Guided Hiking

5 Day Self Guided Tour
€ 860
Jun 08 - Oct 06
6 Day Self Guided Tour
€ 990
Jun 08 - Oct 06
7 Day Self Guided Tour
€ 1130
Jun 08 - Oct 06

Private Guided Hiking

5 Day Private Guided Tour
€ 1270
Jun 08 - Oct 06
6 Day Private Guided Tour
€ 1620
Jun 08 - Oct 06
7 Day Private Guided Tour
€ 1970
Jun 08 - Oct 06

Note

Validity of prices: Summer 2024.

Private guided and self-guided treks are private tours on the dates of your choice.

See the tab Cost for minimum and maximum group size, included services, single supplements and other details.

Primary Itinerary: 5 Day Tour

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

Ascent 820 m. Descent 370 m. Distance 13 km. Walking time 5 hours.

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!

Day 3: Atop of the Sciliar (Schlern) Group

Ascent 500 m. Descent 630 m. Distance 13 km. Walking time 5 hours.

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.

Day 4: Sassolungo (Langkofel) Group

Ascent 360 m. Descent 490 m. Distance 10 km. Walking time 5 hours.

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.

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.

6 and 7 Day Tours

The main hut-to-hut trek plus 1 or 2 day hikes from the basecamp hotel

In addition to the main route, the 6 or 7 Day Tours include one or two day hikes, respectively, in the Puez-Odle group. One of the two routes takes you through the Seceda region, where you will see the famous Seceda spires, while the second hike leads through the Vallunga gorge in the Puez-Odle highlands. In this case, accommodation is provided at the basecamp hotel, i.e. you will return to it after hiking. In terms of their level of complexity, these hiking routes are on a par with the daytime treks on the main hut-to-hut route.

Dates and Prices 2024

Self Guided

5 Day Self Guided Tour
€ 860
Jun 08 - Oct 06
6 Day Self Guided Tour
€ 990
Jun 08 - Oct 06
7 Day Self Guided Tour
€ 1130
Jun 08 - Oct 06

Private Guided

5 Day Private Guided Tour
€ 1270
Jun 08 - Oct 06
6 Day Private Guided Tour
€ 1620
Jun 08 - Oct 06
7 Day Private Guided Tour
€ 1970
Jun 08 - Oct 06

Note

Validity of prices: Summer 2024.

The prices are per person and include the VAT tax.

Private guided and self-guided treks are private tours on the dates of your choice.

The indicated tour duration includes the days of arrival and departure. Hotel accommodation on the day of arrival and night before departure is included in the price.

Self-guided tour. Supplement for trips for solo hikers (includes single accommodation at the base camp hotels):
   5 Day Self Guided Tour  |  Solo supplement € 140
   6 Day Self Guided Tour  |  Solo supplement € 170
   7 Day Self Guided Tour  |  Solo supplement € 200

Private guided tours are only open to your group. The price listed on the tour page is for groups of 4 members. You can set a larger or a smaller group – please contact us for a price.

What is Included: Self-Guided Tour

  • Accommodation in mountain huts: 2 nights, shared dormitory
  • Accommodation in a 3-star hotel: 2 - 4 nights depending on the duration of the trip
  • Breakfast and dinner in the mountain huts
  • Breakfast in the hotel
  • Instructions and assistance with logistics
  • 24-hour on-call support
  • Itinerary and hiking schedule developed by the MONT Trekking guides
  • Specialized 1:25000 hiking maps: 1 map per booking

What is Included: Private Guided Tour

  • Accommodation in mountain huts: 2 nights, shared dormitory
  • Accommodation in a 3-star hotel: 2 - 4 nights depending on the duration of the trip
  • Breakfast and dinner in the mountain huts
  • Breakfast in the hotel
  • Instructions and assistance with logistics
  • 24-hour on-call support
  • Local English-speaking mountain guide
  • Transportation from the base camp hotel to the trailhead (for base camp locations other than Ortisei)
  • Transportation to the base camp hotel after the trek

Complimentary Services

  • Storage of luggage in the base camp hotel during the trek
  • Self-guided trip: electronic maps with satellite navigation for your phone (Android or Apple phone required)

What is Not Included

  • Travel insurance
  • Drinks at dinner
  • Lunches
  • Use of hot shower in the mountain huts: € 3 - 5
  • Recommended lift on the route: € 19
  • Public bus on the final day of the hut-to-hut trek: € 5 (self-guided trip)
  • Tourist tax in the lodging establishments where applicable

Optional Extras

  • Private 2-, 3- and 4-bedded rooms can be reserved in advance in most mountain huts if available and with a € 15 supplement per person per night
  • 4/5-star base camp hotel for the first and final nights of the trip
  • Single accommodation in the base camp hotels (guided tour)
  • Airport transfer is available on request

Travel to Val Gardena

Verona is the closest airport to Val Gardena. There are regular flights to Verona from the UK, Russia, Germany, Denmark, France and Poland. It takes around 4 hours to arrive by train and bus from the Verona airport to Val Gardena.

Innsbruck is also a convenient airport, but few airlines operate flights to Innsbruck.

Other possible airports are Venice, Bologna, Munich and Milan.

We can help you plan the route from the airport and provide you with train and bus schedules: please contact us before you book the flights.

Clothing and Gear

Proper hiking boots are a must for the mountains. We recommend high boots because they support the ankle better than any low boots and provide better stability on a rocky terrain. Even in the middle of the summer in the Dolomites you must bring some warm clothes with you: waterproof and windproof jacket, fleece jacket, long trekking pants and a cap. A raincoat, poncho or other type of rainwear is necessary. Other necessary items are the toiletries, light clean footwear to use in the huts, sunglasses and at least 2 one-liter bottles for water. Your trip documents will include a detailed packing list specifically prepared for your itinerary. We kindly ask everyone to read it carefully and be properly prepared for the hiking trip.

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), 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. 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 on 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. For detailed information on the huts please read Mountain Huts in the Alps.

Meals

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

Normally, the breakfast is served from 7am to 9am. 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.

The dinner time in the mountain huts is 7pm or 7:30pm for all guests. A typical dinner in a hut is very rich and includes a starter, the first course (such as pasta, risotto, dumplings), the second course (meat with a side dish) and a dessert. Any drinks at dinner (water, wine, beer, tea, coffee) are not free and should be ordered and paid 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 one. Typically, there is a choice of pasta for 7 – 10 euros. Second dishes are most often meat-based and cost 9 – 16 euros.

Safety Considerations

Our guided hiking tours are led by professional guides, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience and with passion for mountains. They permanently work in the region of the exact hiking tour, have professional licenses, are experts in emergency situations, regularly upgrade their qualifications and work in accordance with national regulations.

For self-guided hiking, it is necessary to be properly dressed, follow the safety rules and make realistic time calculation for day crossings – preferably according to the hiking schedule that we provide. Our self-guided hiking trips are planned so that they do not require specific skills or gear, unless it is clearly specified in the tour description. 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: Safety Considerations. If you have questions about the safety rules, please contact us +39 0463 63 60 80.

Insurance and visa

Insurance. It is important to have an 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 the 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 Dolomites is a beautiful period, but the weather is again less predictable: the probability of incessant rain increases, and it may snow at the altitude above 2,000 meters.

It is never hot in the Dolomites at the elevation of 2,000 m (6,560 ft) and above where most of the hiking routes pass. In a sunny day in August the temperature at 2,000 m can reach 20° C (68° F) suring the warmest hours of the day. It is comfortable for hiking. In a cold cloudy day, the temperature can stay at around 10° C (34° F) during the entire the 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 is fresh in the valleys in the morning and evening, and it is not stuffy at night even in the hottest weeks of the summer.