People have always looked on the Witches’ Benches on the Puflatsch as being a magical spot. It is here that the Schlern witches are said to have gathered together before flying over the Schlern. The witches are no longer here, but their benches are as wonderful as ever: The rocky porphyry boulders in the form of armchairs are a fabulous spot to stop off for a rest. And for an extra bonus: The 360° view over the Schlern and the Seiser Alm, Tiosels, the Val Gardena/Gröden Valley, Ritten and the Ortles in the distance.
The tour begins at the mountain station of the Marinzen chairlift. Signposts lead the way to “Schafstall, Puflatsch” (No. 9). At the Schafstallhütte mountain hut, the fairly steep ascent on the Puflatsch begins (No. 8). Once you reach the plateau, the road merges with the Puflatsch loop-route, which leads you on to the Arnika hut. After the Goller Cross vantage point, continue onwards to the witches’ benches. Continue to follow the signs PU out to Filln Kreuz. The view of the Val Gardena with is villages is breath-taking.
The descent follows the same route to the Schafstallhütte hut and on to Kastelruth along a trail through the woods. A little to the right of the trail, you will see two rocky armchairs: The witches’ chairs, another gathering site of the Schlern witches. The final stretch takes you past Tiosels to Kastelruth.
This hike can be shortened by walking from Puflatsch to Compatsch. Here you can take the Alpe di Siusi cable car to Siusi and the connecting buses back to Castelrotto, the starting point.
Please check the opening hours of the huts and restaurants: www.seiseralm.it/huts
The starting point of the tour or the sight is easily and comfortably accessible by public transport:
The bus no. 170 will take you from Seis or Völs am Schlern to the starting point in Kastelruth.
You can begin this hike either in Kastelruth or at the Marinzen Alm mountain pasture, by taking the Marinzen chairlift from the station at the easterly area of Kastelruth village centre. The hiking tour begins at the mountain station of the Marinzen chairlift.
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