• Moderate Adventure: Enjoy daily hikes of 12-13km, averaging 5 hours between cozy mountain huts, perfect for those seeking a balanced challenge.
• Extended Season: With availability from early June until October 6th, this Dolomites hiking tour offers one of the longest hiking seasons in the Dolomites, allowing you to enjoy the trails with fewer crowds.
• Rosengarten Magic: Witness the Rosengarten’s breathtaking sunset hues, a natural spectacle that paints the sky in vibrant colors.
• Lunar Landscapes: Explore the otherworldly beauty of the Antermoia region, including the serene Antermoia Lake, set against a stunning lunar-like backdrop.
• Ever-Changing Scenery: Revel in the diverse landscapes and flora that shift with every step, offering new wonders around each corner.
• Charming Mountain Huts: Stay in picturesque huts nestled in varied, scenic locations, each offering its own unique charm.
• Savory Delights: Savor delicious South Tyrolean cuisine, a delightful fusion of Italian and Austrian flavors that’s as memorable as the views.

SEISER ALM TO ROSENGARTEN HIKING TOUR DESCRIPTION

Embark on our self-guided Dolomites hiking tour that takes you through the stunning landscapes of Seiser Alm and Rosengarten on a moderately challenging hut-to-hut route. You’ll trek through diverse altitudinal zones, from lush forests and alpine meadows to rugged tundra and rocky terrain.

Your hiking adventure begins on the vast Seiser Alm plateau, offering breathtaking views of the iconic Schlern mountain and Santner Spitze tower. As you descend toward Rosengarten, you’ll explore a variety of landscapes, culminating in the dramatic Antermoia region, known for its towering limestone walls and the serene Antermoia Lake.

This tour takes you through the heart of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, South Tyrol’s oldest, where you’ll experience some of the most spectacular scenery in the Dolomites.

For an extra challenge, consider a side hike to the Torri del Vajolet towers.

Start your journey with a night in Val Gardena and end in the Karerpass area, staying in comfortable mountain huts each night. If you have extra time, extend your trip with a day hike to the famous Seceda Spires.

This Level 3 itinerary is perfect for hikers with a normal level of fitness, offering daily hikes of 12-13 km, typically taking about 5 hours. With a longer season than most Dolomites tours, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and more flexibility. Ready for a personalized adventure? Book your Dolomites hiking tour today!

SEISER ALM TO ROSENGARTEN HIKINGTOUR: 5-DAY ITINERARY

Spend 3 incredible days hiking across Seiser Alm to Schlern and Rosengarten.

Day 1: Arrival in Val Gardena

On the first day, you arrive on your own in Val Gardena and check-in at one of our base camp hotels. We use hotels located in Ortisei, Selva and Santa Cristina. Having collected your trip package in the hotel, you can study the itinerary on the maps and enjoy the afternoon in Val Gardena. It is one of the most characteristic valleys of the Dolomites, historically inhabited by the Ladins, now a small ethnic group. The Ladins are, presumably, descendants of the Retes, who in pre-Roman times inhabited a significant area of the Alps. After the period of Romanization, followed by the movement of barbarian tribes from the north, the Ladins retained very small territories – primarily the most remote valleys, which at that time were not of interest to the conquerors. Today, these are the most picturesque valleys in the Dolomites. The Ladins have been able to preserve their language, culture and traditions over the centuries despite being surrounded by very influential cultures. This fact, combined with the splendid scenery, makes Val Gardena and the other Ladin valleys some of the main attractions of the Dolomites. Since the 1600s, Val Gardena has been famous for its woodcarving tradition. Walking through the streets of the resort towns and villages of Val Gardena, you will see many wooden sculptures and decorations.

Day 2: HIke Schlern Massif

You will start the hike with a crossing of Alpe di Siusi or Seiser Alm, the Alps’ largest plateau. On the plateau at an altitude of 1700 to 2200 meters, the landscape is predominantly meadow with rare groups of pines, firs and larches. Seiser Alm was cleaned from forests hundreds of years ago and has been used as pastureland since then by the inhabitants of the villages at the foot of Seiser Alm. There are many tiny wooden chalets in the meadows. They are an important integral part of the landscape, not currently used for their main purpose, but carefully maintained. Several larger chalets are run as summer restaurants serving the local specialities. They are the right place to taste dumplings before you start ascending Schlern.

It will take you 3 hours to cross the plateau and approach Sсiliar, which rises 700 meters above Seiser Alm. Leaving behind the green meadows, you will begin the ascent to Schlern, which will take about 2 hours. Your hut for the night is in an open and exceptionally picturesque location, just 100 meters below Monte Pez, the summit of Schiliar. Monte Pez is known as the Castle in the Clouds because of the relatively frequent atmospheric phenomenon when low clouds cover the lower part of the Schiliar but do not reach Monte Pez, which in such cases looks like a castle standing in the clouds. Monte Pez is easily reachable in 20 minutes from your hut on a normal trail. It opens a 360-degree panorama with a dozen mountain groups including Adamello, Ortler, Otztal, Stubai, Latemar, Catinaccio, Odle, Sella and Marmolada. The most impressive view from Monte Pez is towards Antermoia and Rosengarten, especially at sunset – not to be missed!

• Hiking Details: Ascent 820 m. Descent 370 m. Distance 13 km. Hiking time 5 hours.

Day 3: Hike to Alpe di Tires and Lake Antermoia: From Rifugio Schlernhaus to Rifugio Antermoia

The hike starts in direction of Alpe di Tires, the descent from Schlern to Alpe di Tires offers an incredible view of Antermoia mountain group. Today, you will have the opportunity to see Antermoia at a distance, from which it looks like a cluster of towers. Another highlight of today’s crossing is a large formation called Alpe di Tires on the edge of Schlern and Seiser Alm. It rises vertically above the meadows of Seiser Alm and is best known for its iconic symbol, the 300-meter high Denti di Terrarossa or Teeth of Red Earth. The locals, mostly German-speaking, call it Rosszahne or the Horse’s Teeth. This is a very precise description of its appearance. Rosszahne is a series of sharp towers with a wildly jagged profile, a bit like a horse’s teeth. Leaving the Alpe di Tires behind, you will Mahlknecht Joch (Pas de Duron) from where you’ll descend direction Val Duron. Once at the crossing with the trail of Val Duron you’ll start the last ascent through a coniferous forest to reach Antermoia, a rocky high-altitude region of the Rosengarten group. The landmarks of Antermoia are its dense clusters of high peaks and Lake Antermoia in a lifeless lunar landscape at an altitude of 2495 meters. The lake is all that remains of the glacier that occupied this rocky amphitheater several hundred years ago. Unlike many lakes of glacial origin, Lake Antermoia does not dry up in summer but it is constantly fed by springs. Many Ladin legends mention Lake Antermoia. Even its name comes from a legend and is associated with Antermia, a beautiful nymph who lived in the waters of the lake in the rose garden (Rosengerten in German) of the mythical King Laurino. Dwarves who populated these mountains admired the nymph from top of the peaks that surround the lake. Lake Antermoia and its rocky amphitheater are a great place to rest and take photos until the peaks hide the sun in the late afternoon.

• Hiking Details: Ascent 890 m. Descent 850 m. Distance 13 km. Hiking time ~5 hours.

Day 4: Rosengarten

The final hiking day starts with a steep and demanding ascent to the Passo d’Antermoia pass. For two hours you will be walking on rocky terrain. Here you will reach the highest altitude of your itinerary, 2770 meters. Passo d’Antermoia is a magical door to the prehistoric world that Rosengarten was once a part of. A petrified coral reef 230 million years old, Rosengarten stretches for 10 km from north to south. It has been preserved from the Triassic period to this day with minimal damage. In Rosengarten, you can see the reef’s inner lagoon and the cliffs along its edges. The vertical outer cliffs of the reef rise above the deep sea for more than a kilometer. The outer cliffs are the most famous view of the Rosengarten, one of the hallmarks of the Dolomites. Rosengarten is home to another emblematic landmark – Torri del Vajolet. It is a cluster of three peaks in the remote inner area of Rosengarten. You can explore this part of Rosengarten and reach Torri del Vajolet on an optional side hike, but you will need at least two hours for it, and you will hike along a steep path secured for safety. Your hike will end in the late afternoon at Karerpass, from where you can walk or travel by bus to your base hotel – in the area of the pass or in the Val di Fassa.

• Hiking Details: Ascent 750 m. Descent 1140 m. Distance 13 km. Hiking time 6 hours.

Day 5: Departure from Val di Fassa

Your Seiser Alm – Rosengarten Dolomites hiking tour is over. After a breakfast at the basecamp hotel, you can make your way to the airport or next destination.

DATES & PRICES FOR THE 5-DAY SEISER ALM TO ROSENGARTEN DOLOMITES HIKING TOUR

• 30% is due once we’ve confirmed your accommodations. The remainder is due 21 days in advance.
• Private 2-, 3- and 4-bed rooms can be reserved in advance in some of the mountain huts if available and with a € 15 supplement per person per night
• €120 single supplement (basecamp rooms)

GETTING TO ITALY

The base camp locations are Val Gardena where you will start the hike and Karerpass, Carezza or Val di Fassa where you will  finish your hike.

Verona is the closest airport to Val Gardena (2:19 hours driving time, ~ 4 hours by train and bus), but it’s relatively small.  

The nearest large international airport is Venice (3:30 hours driving time). More distant but still convenient airports are Bologna (3:32 hours driving time), Munich (3:55 hours driving time) and Milan (4:21 hours driving time. Note it’s also possible to come by train or bus, but it will take longer. 

We recommend the same airports for traveling from Karerpass, Carezza and Val di Fassa after your hike.

Once you’ve booked your tour, we can help you plan your route from the airport and provide you with train and bus schedules: please contact us before you book the flights.

Accommodation

The first and last nights of your trip are in one of our basecamp hotels. While hiking, you will stay overnight in the mountain huts.

You can count on the following services in the mountain huts: a bed in a shared room or in a private room (must be booked in advance), a shower with hot water, toilets, meals, and a possibility to buy take away water and snacks such as sandwiches and chocolate.

Shared rooms are equipped with bunk beds with mattresses, pillows and blankets. Bed linen is not provided in shared bedrooms: you must have a sleeping bag liner with you. Typically, it is a light cotton bag. A warm sleeping bag is unnecessary since there are blankets in the bedrooms.

In private rooms you are often offered bed linen, thus a sleeping bag liner is not required. If you book private rooms, we inform you whether you need to bring a sleeping bag liner.

Most huts have a heating system, but it is normally not required in the summer months. You will need clean footwear for the huts: light slides are an ideal solution.

Clothing and Gear

Proper hiking boots are a must for the mountains. We recommend high boots because they support the ankle better than  low boots or hiking shoes and provide better stability on rocky terrain.

Even in the middle of the summer in the Dolomites, you must bring some warm clothes with you: a waterproof and windproof jacket, a fleece jacket, long trekking pants and a cap. A raincoat, poncho or another type of rainwear is necessary. You can see our Dolomites Packing List on Amazon. 

Other necessary items are toiletries, light clean footwear to use in the huts, sunglasses and at least two one-litre bottles for water. You’ll receive a detailed packing list specifically for your trip at the booking, but you can also check out our trekking packing list in the meantime. We ask all participants to read it carefully and be well-prepared for the hiking trip.

Meals

In hut-to-hut hiking tours, you are served breakfast and dinner in the huts and mountain hotels on the route.

Breakfast is normally served from 7 am to 9 am. It usually includes an unlimited quantity of coffee and tea, bread, butter, jam, honey and chocolate spread.

In addition, some huts offer ham, cheese and muesli for breakfast. After breakfast, we recommend filling your thermos with hot water or tea: ask the staff, and it will be for free in most huts.

Dinner  in the mountain huts is typically served from 7 pm or 7:30 pm for all guests. A typical dinner in a hut is very rich and includes a starter, the first course (such as pasta, risotto, and dumplings), the second course (meat with a side dish) and a dessert.

Drinks at dinner (water, wine, beer, tea, coffee) are not included and ned to be paid for separately.

Lunch. It is possible to stop for lunch in the mountain huts on the route. The lunch menu in the huts is similar to the dinner menu. Typically, there is a choice of pasta for 7 – 10 euros.  Other dishes cost 9 – 16 euros.

Self-Guided Dolomites Hiking Tour Safety Considerations

For our self-guided Dolomites hiking tours, it’s necessary to be properly dressed, follow the safety rules and make realistic time calculations for day crossings – preferably according to the hiking schedule that we provide.

Our self-guided hiking trips in the Dolomites are planned so that they do not require specific skills or gear unless it is clearly specified in the tour description. However, you do need to have a reasonable level of fitness and endurance. 

You can expect well-maintained trails equipped with direction signs. Exposed sections of the trail are secured on the self-guided routes: it makes them safe provided that you follow the basic safety rules for hiking in the mountains.

Mountains are a natural environment with a high level of risk, so we insistently ask all participants to read the safety rules and emergency procedures.

Insurance and Visa

Insurance: It is important to have appropriate insurance that covers the hiking activity. You don’t need to include the climbing activity in your insurance unless you are planning to climb during the hike.

Visa: We will provide you with a booking confirmation for all days of your trip. If you need an Italian visa, you can enclose this document with your visa application.

Weather in the Dolomites

The most stable weather conditions in the Dolomites are statistically from the second week of July till the middle of September.

This period in the Dolomites is characterized by warm sunny weather and modest rainfall. Earlier in June, the weather is normally favorable, but it is less reliable, and the mountain passes may be blocked by snow remaining from the winter.

In June we may have to change the route depending on the snow situation on the passes.

The second half of September in the Dolomites is a beautiful period, but the weather is again less predictable: the probability of incessant rain increases, and it may snow at an altitude above 2,000 meters.

It is not usually hot in the Dolomites at an elevation of 2,000 m (6,560 ft) and above where most of the hiking routes pass. On a sunny day in August, the temperature at 2,000 m can reach 20° C (68° F) during the warmest hours of the day. It’s comfortable for hiking.

On a cold cloudy day, the temperature can stay at around 10° C (34° F) during the entire day. It is always chilly at night and early in the morning.

Thunderstorms, often with hail, are typical for the warmest months (July and August).

In the Dolomites valleys at the altitudes of 1,000 – 1,500 m (3,280 – 4,920 ft) the day temperature can reach 27° C (80° F). It’s fresh in the valleys in the morning and evening, and it is not stuffy at night even in the hottest weeks of the summer.

BOOK YOUR SELF-GUIDED HIKING TOUR IN THE DOLOMITES: ALTA VIA 1 NOW 

Thank you for your interest in booking this tour. You’ve made a good choice. Our Hiking the Alta Via 1 Self-Guided Tour is absolutely stunning and you can reward yourselves after hiking with stunning mountain views and Italian hospitality.

Please contact us to book this tour. 

Book Your Alta Via 1 Hiking Tour & You’ll Get… 

✅ Great value for money

✅ Freedom to hike on your own schedule with the people you choose

✅ To avoid the hassles of booking accommodations that have to be booked by phone or email (there’s no central booking system to check availability)

✅ Alternative routes(when available) to make your hike easier when your legs have had enough

✅ Our insider knowledge to reserve the best accommodations based on what’s important to you (i.e. location, comfort, etc)

✅ Tours that are designed by hikers for hikers. We combine our knowledge and experience with our local partners to provide you with an amazing hiking tour.

PHOTOS OF SEISER ALM TO ROSENGARTEN HIKING TOUR