Weekend for two: The photo competition "Alpe di Siusi Summer"

The photo competition "Alpe di Siusi Summer" is slowly coming to an end. A month is left and professional photographers as well as lovers of photography can win a weekend for two at the Wanderhotel Europa.



What do we look for? The picture that best describes the holiday area Alpe di Siusi in summer. Original and bizarre, landscapes and people, Alpe di Siusi, Castelrotto, Siusi and Fiè:  it's up to you to decide what your image should convey. There are only two criteria to be followed: the photo should be made by you and the people you see on the photos have given their consent to any publication.

How to participate? Just send an e-mail, complete with your data to info@alpedisiusi.info. And share your photos, tagged "alpedisiusisummer", on Flickr.

What to win? The 1st prize is a weekend for two at the Wanderhotel Europa. This is followed respectively as second, third and fourth prize, by a weekend for two at the farm Mesnerhof in Fiè, a dinner for two with night tobogganing at Molignon Refuge and a wellness voucher for two at the Vitalpina Hotel Icaro.

Who will be the winner? The team of Alpe di Siusi Marketing will select the 12 finalists. Then the Facebook community will decide the winning image.

All information regarding the photo contest can be viewed on our website at http://www.alpedisiusi.info/. Maybe it's you our winner!

On tour: The colours of autumn

When the trees at the foot of the Sciliar mountain, glow in yellow, red and brown then it's time to walk around the villages of Fiè, Siusi and Castelrotto.

Classic tour. The Oachner Farmstead Trail of Aica di Fiè is among the most popular and well known excursions. Those who wish to enjoy autumn in all its facets can visit the old farms along the route. It takes you through vineyards, chestnut forests from Presule to St. Catherine at Aica di Fiè. And there a well deserved refreshments at one of the taverns will await.

All together! Few know the hiking trail from Castelrotto to San Michele. This autumn stroll from the center of Castelrotto to the village of San Michele along path no.10 leads through forests and traditional fences. Those who wish to make this trip in a larger group will have the chance to on October 19, 2011 when a guided tour will be organized.

Getting to San Osvaldo. From Siusi there is a beautiful path that leads in the hamlet of St. Oswald, passing by the Malenger Mill and the ruins of Castel Rovereto, from where you can reach  the tranquil and picturesque hamlet of San Osvaldo. Orchards and wild chestnut trees in this idyllic village accompany during the trip to San Osvaldo, very popular in the period of "Törggelen".

Autumn delights on the Alpe di Siusi

The autumn on the Alpe di Siusi is dedicated to culinary delights: dumplings and venison invite to enjoy.  The pleasure-round closes in November with the "Törggelen".

From the 22 September to 3 October, 2011, enjoy (a)round on Alpe di Siusi  dedicated to the dumplings as an appetizer, main dish or a dessert. Traditional cuisine lovers practice at cuisine cooking classes in the preparation of the former poor people's food. Those who adore being inspired by nature connect a dumpling tasting with a hike through the colourful autumn landscape.


The month of October is dedicated to the Völser Kuchlkastl that combines old with new. The Völser cooks prepare fine venison dishes, Schlutzer dumplings, dumplings and far more unusual specialities.

The Törggele time begins by mid-October: the Törggelen, a special tradition in South Tyrol invites you to hike through the autumnal nature and stop at an inn along the trail. In a relaxed atmosphere then roasted chestnuts, sweet cider, smoked sausage, bacon and Schüttelbrot can be tasted.

Hiking on the Alpe di Siusi round off the culinary weeks: guided hikes lead to the village of Tagusa, the source Schlernblut or via the Schnaggenkreuz to Aica di Fiè and provide insights into rural life.

Car-free holidays

The Alpe di Siusi, the largest alpine pasture in Europe, is famous for eco-friendly holidays and in contact with nature. Access for the ordinary traffic, in this protected area is subject to time restrictions, that is admittance is prohibited between 9 and 17 hrs.
The best way to discover the Alpe di Siusi is by foot, by mountain bike, ski –lift or, why not in a horse- drawn sleigh.


Hiking trails of different levels of difficulty go through the Alpe di Siusi, in the heart of the Dolomites (UNESCO World Natural Heritage). By making excursions to the Alpe di Siusi there is ample choice with regard to routes and tours, visiting the numerous lodges and huts, the tour for Rifugio Bolzano or following the footsteps of Hans and Paula Steger. There is a cultural-natural path, up to 8 km, dedicated to this couple, famous for being pioneers of hiking and skiing.

But the Alpe di Siusi is not only a hiking heaven. Along with the holiday area Val Gardena, the holiday area Alpe di Siusi area has realized a mountain bike paradise that is made up of 33 tours, 1000 km long. Among them there is a multi-day (5) tour, and 28 daily tours. Lovers of mountain biking will discover South Tyrol from a special point of view. The tour of the "Rifugio Alpe di Tires" starting from Siusi, or from Compaccio to the Denti di Terrarossa require a good preparation and are demanding from the point of view of the driving technique, but in return offer beautiful and fascinating glimpses of the Dolomites.
Discovering  the Alpe di Siusi, on horseback, by horse-drawn sleigh, will be even more romantic and fun.

Hiking in the Dolomites along ancient tracks

Where coral reefs and ancient legends meet, there lies the wonderful world of the Dolomites.
Since June 2009, the so-called Pale Mountains are part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage. Those who will trace ancient times will discover a world that is unique, ancient and legendary at the same time. Middle Ages, legends and the lives of two mountain pioneers, all this and far more can be experienced on the hiking trails on the Alpe di Siusi.

In the Footsteps of ...

... knight and bard Oswald von Wolkenstein, who lived in the Dolomites in Castelvecchio. He loved to travel and he visited Europe, Africa and Asia. The lifestyle of Oswald and his contemporaries of the 15th century can be partly revived by taking the Oswald von Wolkenstein path. The trail passes near the ruins of Castelvecchio and Salego and tells anecdotes about the etiquette of the time, that is at the times of knights and damsels.

... the Sciliar Witches, witches and wizards, mysterious figures and wild people who used to live in the Dolomites and intimidated the local population. Even today, the Chairs of the Witches in Castelrotto and Witches' Benches on the Alpe di Siusi recall the presence of the witches on the high alpine pasture. And the Sciliar, the symbol - mountain of South Tyrol, was the  favourite spot of the Sciliar Witches.

... the mountain pioneers Hans and Paula Steger. The couple, who loved climbing and skiing, experienced most of the peaks that surround the Sciliar and even the north side of the Catinaccio and the west slope of the first peak of the Sella. The Footpath of Hans and Paula Steger is dedicated not only to this famous couple of climbers, but also to the magnificent natural and cultural scenery of the Alpe di Siusi, to the coral and jellyfish fossils, hunters and Gods, the Alps and flowers.

... the Dolomites. A time journey in history, going back 270 million years, that is the birth date of the Dolomites when the creation of islands, volcanism and erosion was going on.  The geologist's path near Siusi ranks among the most interesting excursions from a geological point of view of the Dolomites from their origin up to now.

Hiking in the Dolomites along ancient tracks, traces of an ancient heritage and its inhabitants - the legendary and the real ones.