9.1 km
Distance
3h 10min
Duration
+340 m
Elevation gain
Easy
Difficulty
June–October
Season
The panoramic loop of Monte Bullaccia, along the rim of the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe. Meadows, alpine huts and the Witches' Benches, with the Sciliar always ahead. Broad paths, suitable for everyone.
The Alpe di Siusi is the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe: meadows rolling away for kilometres, isolated farmsteads and, closing the horizon, the Sciliar with the Santner and Euringer towers. The Monte Bullaccia loop follows its northern rim and, in a little over three hours, shows you everything that made this place a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Highlights
The Witches' Benches
A series of natural seats carved into the rock, in a place frequented since neolithic times. Local tradition links them to the Witches of the Sciliar, figures from South Tyrolean legend associated with storms. Behind the myth lies a less light-hearted history: between 1506 and 1510, at Presule Castle near Fiè, some thirty people were tried and put to death on charges of witchcraft.
The Wetterkreuz
A wooden cross planted on the edge of the plateau, where the slope plunges towards the valley. It is where almost everyone stops: from there the eye runs from the Sciliar to the Sassolungo.
Getting there
The starting point is Compaccio, reached by cable car from Siusi or by car from Bolzano. Car access to the plateau is restricted during the middle of the day, so the cable car remains the simplest option. If you are staying nearby, a car transfer from your hotel to the trailhead is included.
Good to know
The route follows waymarks 14, PU and 24. The paths are broad and well kept, suitable for any level of fitness.
The plateau is almost entirely without shade: a hat and sun cream are not optional, even under cloud.
Routes may change according to trail and weather conditions.
The route, stage by stage
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From Compaccio up to the plateau
Trails no. 14 and PU
We set off from the centre of Compaccio on asphalt, which soon gives way to a path through the meadows. The gradient is gentle and steady.
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Among the Bullaccia huts
Trail no. 14
The path crosses the pastures and passes the Bullaccia and Arnica huts, both open in season.
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To the Wetterkreuz and the Witches' Benches
Trail no. 24
A stop at the wooden cross overlooking the valley, then on to the neolithic site of the Witches' Benches.
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Back to Compaccio
Trail no. 24
From the Bullaccia mountain inn the path drops back to the start. Anyone who would rather skip the descent can take the Monte Bullaccia cable car.
Stops and refreshments
- Bullaccia Hut
- On the way up, among the pastures.
- Arnica Hut
- A little beyond the first, on the same stretch of path.
- Bullaccia mountain inn
- At the cable car top station, before the final descent.
What to bring
Day hikes- Hiking boots with a lugged sole
- Windproof and waterproof jacket
- A warm spare layer: temperatures drop at altitude even in summer
- Water, at least 1.5 litres per person
- Hat, sunglasses and sun cream: there is no shade on the plateau
