Excursions in autumn

Autumn is on its way. During day time you can still feel the summer on your skin but in the morning and in the evening temperatures fall slowly welcoming autumn.  After the heat of the past days someone is looking forward to enjoying Indian summer. On September 1, the meteorological fall begins: here some suggestions for leisurely autumn hiking tours in the Dolomites.

Castelrotto – Cult place: The Hill of Castelrotto (Colle/Kofel)
The 14 stations of the Peace Trail lead up to the Hill of Castelrotto, an ancient cult place. This leisurely excursion is a must for everyone in love with this lovely village. Not to miss: Linger a moment and enjoy the silence!

Alpe di Siusi – Magic all around: The Bullaccia Round
The Bullaccia Round leads you to the "Engelrast" and from there to the Filln-Kreuz and the witches' benches. From here, you can walk via the Goller Cross to the end of the circular route. The Bullaccia Round is a magical experience. Not to miss: take a rest on the witches' benches – just like the Sciliar witches!

Siusi – On a knight's footsteps: The Oswald von Wolkenstein Trail
The Oswald von Wolkenstein Trail, in honour of the homonymous knight and poet, leads past the two castle ruins of Salego and Castelvecchio. Both are linked to Oswald von Wolkenstein's life and work. Not to miss: take a look at the legends book!

Fiè – Culinary delights: The Farmstead Trail
The Farmstead Trail leads from Prösels Castle to the chapel of Santa Caterina and runs through a varied natural and cultural landscape. Not to miss: törggelen!

Exploring the Dolomites

Enjoy the sunrise on the Sciliar mountain, get an eagle's view of the Dolomites or immerse yourself in the farmer's world: the Alpe di Siusi holiday area boasts some spectacular sceneries, from Dolomite peaks and epic lakes and ponds to stunning alpine meadows. One day you're cycling through the Sciliar-Catinaccio nature park, the next you're swimming in one of Italy's most beautiful swimming lakes, the Laghetto di Fiè. You can go hut-to-hut on the Alpe di Siusi, climb a Dolomite peak or saunter through the villages of Castelrotto, Siusi and Fiè allo Sciliar. Opt for challenging day routes or leisurely strolls. The most popular hiking trail is the one leading from the Alpe di Siusi to the Sciliar mountain but you may also consider the more challenging climb up the Sassopiatto peak or trek around the Sassolungo group.

The Dolomites are known for their outdoor beauty but even on rainy days there are lots of things to do and experience in the Alpe di Siusi holiday area: bouldering, climbing without a rope, is nothing but fun – and a good alternative to outdoor activities. You may take a hay bath and enjoy its relaxing effects or you stay dry while visiting Prösels Castle, built by the Lords of Fiè aroung the year 1200. So you won't need to worry about bad weather either.

Foodies will enjoy both – South Tyrolean specialities and Mediterranean cuisine. Among the most popular dishes rank the dumplings and the strudel in all their varieties. On September 7, the village of Siusi invites to the strudel feast where you can taste different strudel and of course, the apple strudel won’t be missing.

View from the Sassopiatto to the Sassolungo mountain

Summer in the Dolomites: 6 once in a lifetime experiences

Who doesn't know the bucket lists? Lists with all those special things to do and experience once in a lifetime. We're searching for unique travel destinations, unforgettable adventures, once in a lifetime experiences. And the best time to do so is during our holidays.

Go paragliding and see the Dolomites from above
Swim in the moonlight at the lake "Laghetto di Fiè"
Climb a Dolomite peak
Sleep in the hay
Imagine yourself princess or knight at the Castle Prösels
Be the first to test the new running shoe collection 2013

6 suggestions for rainy days

When skies turn gray and rain falls, there's loads to do: here are our suggestions for a rainy day in the Dolomites.

Hiking in the rain. Do you remember the quote by British adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes? "There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." So, get into waterproof clothes and go out in the rain!

Bouldering. Climbing without a rope is nothing but fun. The bouldering hall at Telfen is open daily from 10am to 10pm.

More time for museums. Stay dry, check out the school museum in Tagusa and the farmers’ museum at the Tschötscherhof farm and gain an insight into the ancient everyday school life and the world of the local farmers.

Concert evenings and classic tones. Whether it is the Schlern International Music Festival, the Summer Classics or the Chamber Music Festival at Presule Castle, the music festivals in the holiday area Alpe di Siusi offer something for every taste. Take in a concert on a rainy day!

Relax in the hay. A traditional hay bath stands for alpine wellbeing because sweating in the hay is good for both body and soul.

Romantic hours at a dinner for 2. Having a candlelight dinner is the best thing to do on a rainy summer evening.

Night Thrill: Hiking in the Dark

When night is falling. everything's dark and the woods look mysterious, then it's time for a thrilling night walk. … not only for the brave.

The Alpe di Siusi Family Summer programme includes two hiking tours in the dark of the night: at the Sciliar-Catinaccio Natural Park Excursions the young and the young at heart will lie in wait for bats. Around the lake "Laghetto di Fiè" some specimens can be spotted and with a bat detector the ultrasonic calls are made audible. These nocturnal mammals are shrouded in legend. Speaking about legends, Martha, the witch, can tell some of them about the Sciliar witches. Together with the good witch Martha, families take a walk in the midst of the woods, to greet, with the only help of flashlights, the little spirits that inhabit them.

All you need to participate at this very special night experience is your researcher's spirit, a little courage and curiosity.

Into the great outdoors: The Dolomites

No matter what kind of outdoor activity you're searching for, the Dolomites are your place to be. For new experiences, ditch the car and try mountain biking in eye-crushing mountains, paragliding over a UNESCO World Heritage Site or swimming in one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes.

The bike region Alpe di Siusi/Val Gardena in the Dolomites is a superb territory for mountain biking: the region is crisscrossed by mountain bike trails covering 1,000km. Whether you are after a leisurely tour for the whole family or a more challenging adventure, the Dolomites boast a vast and varying range of mountain bike trails.

For those who prefer exploring Europe's largest alpine plateau on foot, there is a great variety of hiking trails for all types and ages. Follow the footsteps of the Sciliar witches, take a tour from hut to hut on the Alpe di Siusi or ramble through the villages of Castelrotto, Siusi and Fiè allo Sciliar.

If you're looking for a very special sporting challenge, don't miss the Alpe di Siusi Running, a running event over a total distance of 12,7km with start and finish in Compaccio on the Alpe di Siusi.

On hot summer days, the lake "Laghetto di Fiè" offers relief from the sun's heat: guests and locals alike flock to the lake to go swimming or to ride a rowboat.

Adrenaline addicts can experience the Dolomites from above during a paragliding flight. Golf aficionados get in some rounds of golf and horse riders can option for a guided trip on the well-known Haflinger horses.