"With its traffic-free center, a thousand years of history, an oversized and hyperactive bell tower, and traditionally clad locals, it seems of another world ”
-Rick Steves
-Rick Steves
- Seiser alm Bahn - Gondola to Alpe de Siusi
- Trail of Witches hike
- Panorama Hike to Edelweiss Hut
Breakfast at the hotel
All of the hotel breakfasts have been great so far but today's was one of the most memorable; lovely view and an apricot croissant; my favorite!
Alpe di Siusi/Seiser alm
The evening before, we chatted with our tour manager, Axel, about our plans for today. He helped us cull our plan to accommodate our desires for the day, which we really appreciated. We caught the bus just down from the hotel to the gondola Seiser Alm Bahn with our maps and RS guidebook in hand. We gathered into blue raindrop shaped gondola to start our day of hiking in the Alpe di Siusi, the largest high meadow and summer pasture in the Alps.
The Trail of Witches - "Puflatschumrundung"
At the top, we arrived at about 6,000 feet at Compatsch; from here, there are many trails to take you to many adventures.
We walked to catch the Puflatsch Gondola to bypass some steep hiking and get started on our trail.
We had to do the Trail of Witches, simply based on the spooky name, but also to honor women who were prosecuted in the past for "witchy" behavior. This area was once the "Salem, Massachusetts in this part of Europe". Rick states, "Women who didn't fit society's mold - including midwives, healers, and redheads, were sometimes burned as witches". Luckily, society is a bit smarter in present time...
Nowadays, the Schlern witch is seen around this area as a travel mascot for the area.
We walked to catch the Puflatsch Gondola to bypass some steep hiking and get started on our trail.
We had to do the Trail of Witches, simply based on the spooky name, but also to honor women who were prosecuted in the past for "witchy" behavior. This area was once the "Salem, Massachusetts in this part of Europe". Rick states, "Women who didn't fit society's mold - including midwives, healers, and redheads, were sometimes burned as witches". Luckily, society is a bit smarter in present time...
Nowadays, the Schlern witch is seen around this area as a travel mascot for the area.
Alpine trail "traffic Jam"
Now this is a traffic jam one can appreciate! We heard cowbells from below the hill and were feeling grateful that they were this close for viewing; Be sure to keep your distance for your safety and out of respect for the animals.
Trail of Witches Highlights
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Arnika Hut - "Rifugio Arnika" -"Arnika Huette"
We took a break to at Rifugio Arnika enjoy a couple of beers and to try some Tyrolean dumplings. We shared our table with a couple from our tour; We chatted about how lucky we were to have this gorgeous weather and what plans we had for the rest of the day.
Edelweiss Hütte
We came upon this lovely hut, Edelweiss Hütte, and decided to stop to enjoy the view and enjoy some more treats. The hut makes their own syrups, so while Troy quenched his thirst with a tall beer, I tried an elderflower infused water, which was lovely! It cannot get much more indulgent than have fresh apple strudel with cream and dazzled with powdered sugar with this kind of view. A top moment of living the good life - la dolce vita!
The hut even had a small area for some cute furry friends!
In our dreams, we are here most of the time
Alpine Wildflowers of the Italian Alps
This area, of course, delivered on the wildflowers today as well as some butterflies.
Evening in Castelrotto
After a day of hiking, we got some much needed alpine water from the local potable water fountain; open for thirsty pups too! This fountain is from 1884 and is in the Main Square. We drank all of our water from here during out stay in Castelrotto!
And just like that, Evening begins to settle in
Even after a day of hiking, we walked a bit around Castelrotto to take it all in before settling down for the evening, around the Main Square, the Bell Tower, and a little beyond out of the city center.
Kastelruther Spatzen
The Kastelruther Spatzen are a folk-singing group who have had a large following since the 1980s. Rick refers to them as the "ABBA of the Alps" in the guidebook! We listened to them in the bus on the way into town yesterday which was a wonderful nod to the local music scene, as most, if not all, of us had not heard of this group.
Goodnight! - "Buona notte" - "Gute Nacht"
Today's "Wow" Moment
Having refreshments mid-hike is always a nice treat, especially with those Tyrolean dumplings; the views today were breath-taking! - Troy |
This entire day was so wonderful; I had been longing to visit the Dolomite region and its even more beautiful in person. This crafted cocktail was refreshing and included Alpine star liquor garnished with pine and Edelweiss; unexpected luxury while hiking! |