The higher up you get, the more you appreciate its size and beauty: at 65 square kilometres , the Seiser Alm is the largest high alpine pasture in Europe. Ranging from 1,600 to 2,950 metres above sea level, this area along with the Dolomite peaks Plattkofel, Langkofel and Schlern and the Santner pinnacle is a protected habitat for alpine animals and plants. Here you can hike in the Schlern-Rosengarten natural park, which offers a particularly intense experience of the changing seasons.
The pastures and rocky crags are home to over 790 plant species. Alpine chamois, deer and golden eagles also live here. In spring, thousands upon thousands of crocuses break through the melting snow cover, while in summer, the waysides are adorned with anemones, carnations and gentians. Farmers have always grazed their cattle on the high Seiser Alm pasture, and they continue to do so today. Well-signposted hiking routes and bike trails attract visitors into the mountains, as do the catered facilities known as Schwaigen with their home-made cuisine and traditional wooden mountain huts. Travel options for your alpine experience the Seiser Alm can be reached by cable car from Seis am Schlern/Siusi allo Sciliar or by bus from Kastelruth, access by private car is only permitted before 9 am and after 5 pm.
