Europe’s largest high-altitude pasture and the highest area of Castelrotto are called Alpe di Siusi
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) refers not only to the famous high plateau, but also to a locality of the municipality of Castelrotto. It includes the scattered settlements of Saltria, Compaccio, Giogo, and Piz. The hotels and accommodations of Compaccio are located where the cable car from Siusi allo Sciliar arrives. There is also a modern church and several other buildings here.
At the opposite end of the plateau lies Saltria, on the upper reaches of the Rio Jender, which flows down into the Ladin Val Gardena valley. In the hamlets of Piz and Giogo, Alpine huts characterise the landscape. Today, the Alpe di Siusi is a designated conservation area within the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park, the oldest nature park in South Tyrol, and is under special protection.
During the day, it can only be reached by the cable car from Siusi or by public transport: The road up to the pasture remains closed to private traffic. In the off-season, when the cable car is not in operation, driving up to the paid car parks is permitted. Mountain meadows with Alpine roses, hiking trails, and vast open areas with huts characterise the high pasture in summer.
It is overlooked by the Sciliar Massif. Saltria is a starting point for tours around Mt. Sassolungo and Mt. Sasso Piatto, to the Molignon Hut and up the Sciliar. In winter, in addition to the skiing area, there is also plenty of space for cross-country skiing, tobogganing and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
