Hiking tour from Castelrotto to the Panche delle Streghe

This 4 hours long hiking tour with an altitude difference of 1,100 metres leads us from the village of Castelrotto to Mount Bullaccia on the Alpe di Siusi.

From the centre of Castelrotto, we follow trails no. 6 and 4A through some beautiful meadows until we reach the alpine pasture of Marinzen, from where we continue on trail no. 9 to Schafstall mountain hut (1,470 metres asl) and afterwards steeply upwards through the forest until we reach Rifugio Arnika, which lies at 2,000 metres asl on Mount Bullaccia. After a short rest we continue our tour along the northern boarder of this beautiful high plateau full of alpine meadows towards the famous Panche delle Streghe (literally: witches benches).

The witches benches are very particular stone formation that have the form of seats with armrests and backrests. According to a legend, in the Middle Ages the witches of the Alpe di Siusi region danced and celebrated here hilariously.

Today, this place is a very popular view point, where hikers can enjoy the wonderful panorama of the Val Gardena, the Puez-Olde mountain group, a part of the Sella mountain range and the Dolomites of the Alpe di Siusi area: Mount Sasso Lungo, Mount Sasso Piatto and Mount Sciliar. On very clear days you can even see the east-central Alps, Mount Ortles, the Stubai, Ötztal and of course the Sarentino Alps.

Starting point: Castelrotto
Trail route: Castelrotto - Marinzen - Panche delle Streghe
Trail numbers: 6, 4A, 11A, 9, 8, 24
Length: 9.5 km (one way)
Walking time: approx. 4 hours (one way)
Altitude difference: approx. 1,180 metres
Altitudes: 1,095 - 2,162 metres asl
More information: tourist board Castelrotto, tel.: +39 0471 706333, info@kastelruth.com