Your summer holidays on the Seiser Alm mountain plateau
We love South Tyrol and the Dolomites. Not just because it’s our home, but also because of its spectacular beauty. The same applies to our hotel – we’d love to show you around. We’ve compiled some great tips for your summer vacation on the Seiser Alm plateau. With so much to discover, including hiking trails (some starting right from the Hotel Ortler), old castles and manors, Alpine refuges and pastures … there’s nothing better than to explore them in person!
Hiking on the Seiser Alm high mountain plateau
Hiking across the largest high Alpine pasture in Europe against the backdrop of the magnificent Dolomites is a major summer attraction in South Tyrol. Besides the classic 4-hour panoramic hiking circuit over the Puflatsch hill and the more arduous route along the Brügelweg path up to the Schlern mountain, the panoramic hiking routes across the Seiser Alm offer numerous beauty spots and lookout points to enjoy along the way.
Our personal tip: hike to the Plattkofelschwaige refuge and stop for a lunch break. Try the traditional cold cuts platter with Tyrolean speck, local cheeses, fresh rye break and Alpine butter. What better way to refuel during a hike in the mountains!
Hiking trails right from the Hotel Ortler
Go outdoors and start exploring, across the Alpine meadows! The hiking route just above our hotel leads to the Marinzen Alm Alpine pasture. With its wide-open spaces for the kids to freely enjoy themselves, this is a family favourite. But watch out for the sneaky goats roaming around that like stealing snacks from the backpacks of unsuspecting hikers! After another short stop at the Schafstallhütte refuge, continue to the Scherer Platzl plain, before heading back to the hotel. If you like, you can also take a short detour down the grassy slope to visit the romantic Church of S. Valentino/St. Valentin.
Castles, fortresses and manor houses
Historic castles, manors, and towers: some still intact or in ruins. In South Tyrol, the Medieval Period is palpable. The High Middle Ages were a time of prosperity throughout the Tyrol, with ubiquitous relics dating from that era. From the Ortler, take the hiking trail to the ruins of Hauenstein Castle, former abode of Oswald von Wolkenstein, the famous 14th Century German Minstrel. Follow the trail to the remains of Salegg Castle. To visit an intact castle, visit Prösels Castle near Fiè allo Sciliar/Völs am Schlern. Open to visitors, this majestic castle not far from the road can be reached by bus. Castle tours with a guide help one to understand how life used to be in those days. Behind the castle is another hiking trail, and there’s a route leading up to the Hofer Alm refuge. Or you can enjoy some refreshments in the castle cafeteria.
E-bike ride to the Tierser Alp refuge
If you're sufficiently fit and have enough energy for a sports challenge, you don’t need electric powered bikes. Otherwise, you can avail yourself of the E-bike rental outlet in nearby Compaccio/Compatsch. These are our bike rental partners, and our guests are entitled to a discount. Once you’ve selected your e-bike, you’re good to go! Ride across the Seiser Alm plateau or head up to the Tierser Alp refuge and enjoy the magnificent view of the Rosengarten mountain range.
Tandem paragliding from the Spitzbühl
The sky’s the limit. Once you’re soaring high above in a tandem paraglider, you’ve let go of everything and your perspective of life is altered. Is this a must-do on your bucket list too? While paragliding, you will also enjoy the breath-taking panorama that opens up beneath you!
Leisurely shopping and sightseeing
Notwithstanding the natural beauty and attractions in and around Castelrotto/Kastelruth, the lure of the nearby urban centres is also strong. The historical towns of Bolzano/Bozen, Merano/Meran and Bressanone/Brixen, with their elegant shopping under the arcades aren’t far away. Further along the A22 highway slightly north of Castelrotto, the quaint, medieval towns of Chiusa/Klausen and Vipiteno/Sterzing are also worth visiting.
With its choice of restaurants, fashion boutiques and cafeterias, the regional capital, Bolzano, exudes a sophisticated, cosmopolitan atmosphere. In the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, you can visit Ötzi, the 5,000-year-old ice mummy discovered in a mountain glacier a couple of decades ago. Bressanone boasts opulent architecture and is also the traditional seat of the local archdiocese. Shops offering name fashion and sports brands, premium local wines, and gourmet specialities as well as all sorts of quality merchandise are found in the towns of Bressanone and Merano, with their opulent Art Nouveau atmosphere. The main South Tyrolean towns are all about 30 – 60 min away by car from Castelrotto. Sightseeing and shopping in these nearby historic towns around Castelrotto makes a great alternative to hiking, perhaps in less clement weather conditions – or just to vary the programme.
Summer video of the Hotel Ortler
We need your consent!
We rely on third party providers (YouTube Video) to integrate the content. They may collect personal information about your activities. Please note the details and give your consent.