Covering 52 square kilometers at altitudes between 1,680 and 2,350 meters above sea level, the Alpe di Siusi (Mont Sëuc in Ladin, Seiser Alm in German) is the largest alpine meadow in Europe. Located within the municipality of Castelrotto in Trentino-Alto Adige, this expansive Dolomite plateau has historically been divided into parcels for grazing and hay production for valley farms. The terrain is bounded by Val Gardena to the north, the Sassolungo group to the northeast, and the Sciliar massif to the southeast, a peak whose unmistakable silhouette serves as an emblem of the Dolomites.
What to see
The open landscape affords a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding alpine summits. Sweeping clockwise from the north, the horizon includes the Sass de Putia (2,873 m), the Odle and Puez groups (3,025 m), the Sella massif (3,152 m), the Sassolungo (3,181 m) and Sassopiatto (2,995 m), the Marmolada (3,343 m), the Pale di San Martino, the Torri del Vajolet, the Catinaccio group reaching 3,002 meters at the Catinaccio d'Antermoia, and the 2,450-meter Sciliar. Orographically, the plateau is classified into three specific ridges: Palancia-Cresta di Siusi, Denti di Terra Rossa-Punta d'Oro-Piz, and Bulacia-Salames-Col di Rende. Since 1975, the eastern sector has been protected as part of the Sciliar Nature Park. The built environment is anchored by two main settlements situated four kilometers apart: Compaccio (1,825 m) at the plateau's entrance, and Saltria (1,700 m). Dozens of traditional Tyrolean hay huts, many operating as rest stops, are scattered between them, alongside modern structures like the Church of San Francesco d'Assisi, constructed in 2011.
Visiting
As one of the 12 zones comprising the Dolomiti Superski network, the plateau is a major hub for outdoor recreation, supported by the Alpe di Siusi and Sciliar 3000 ski schools. Winter tourism here dates back to the early 20th century. Following the summer 1934 opening of the Ortisei cable car, the first ski lift—a sled-lift to the Giogo/Joch refuge—was inaugurated in January 1938. By the 1940s, a single-seat chairlift was carrying skiers toward the Icaro refuge below Monte Piz. Today, the infrastructure includes 21 active lifts built by manufacturers such as Leitner, Doppelmayr, and Agamatic. Notable upgrades include the 2009 Puflatsch/Bullaccia lift, which was the first telemix system inaugurated in the Dolomites. The plateau is also a recognized venue for competitive sports, hosting natural track luge World Cup stages and Giro d'Italia events. Cycling history was made here in 2009 when Denis Men'šov won Stage 5 while Thomas Löfkvist held the pink jersey, and again in 2016 with a dedicated time trial from Castelrotto. Access via the private road from Castelrotto is restricted between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, meaning most visitors arrive via the cable cars from Siusi and Ortisei, or by scheduled buses from Monte Pana.
Our editors' tip
Trace the historical roots of the resort by riding the Panorama six-seater chairlift. Upgraded in 2008, it follows the exact alignment of the original 1938 Giogo sled-lift and the 1961 single-seater, offering the same expansive sightlines that earned the lift its name.