Tierser Alpl Schutzhaus (Rifugio Alpe di Tires) is a one-of-a-kind mountain refuge located in the Naturpark Schlern – Rosengarten (Sciliar – Catinaccio Natural Park) in the Dolomites. You can hike to Tierser Alpl as a day hike from Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi), as an overnight hike, or as part of a hut to hut hike in the Rosengarten (Catinaccio) mountains. In this post, we’re going to show you how to get to Tierser Alp as a day trip from the high alpine plateau Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi).
One More Thing – This hike is located in the German-speaking province of South Tyrol (Alto Adige) in Italy. Prior to WWI, this region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. And so, the German language continues to be spoken here. To avoid confusion (or maybe to confuse you further), we’re going to use both the German and the Italian names for all the locations. Eg. Seiser Alm is the German name for Alpe di Siusi. Tierser Alpl Hütte is the German name for Rifugio Alpe di Tires.
Planning a trip to the Dolomites? Read our Dolomites Travel Guide to find out where to go, where to stay, and what to eat.
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How to Get to Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi)
The trailhead to Tierser Alpl Hütte (Rifugio Alpe di Tires) is at Compatsch (Compaccio), which is the largest settlement on Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi). Compatsch is situated at an elevation of 1850 meters and is reachable by cableway.
We recommend parking your car at Seis Am Schlern (Siusi Allo Sciliar). Next, take the Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway (Seiser Alm Bahn/Cabinovia Alpe di Siusi) from Seis Am Schlern (Siusi Allo Sciliar) to Compatsch (Compaccio). Are the names getting confusing yet?
Seiser Alm to Tierser Alpl Trail Map
- Take the Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway (Seiser Alm Bahn/Cabinovia Alpe di Siusi) from Seis Am Schlern (Siusi Allo Sciliar) to Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi), Compatsch (Compaccio).
- Follow path no. 7 to Hotel Panorama.
- From Hotel Panorama, take trail no. 2 to Rosszähne (Denti di Terrarossa), 2,657 meters. The trail ascends very slowly until you approach the Rosszähne ridge. This steep switchback section is the most challenging part of the hike.
- From the summit, turn right and follow the path until you see the red-roofed hut (10 minutes).
Tierser Alpl (Alpe di Tires) Day Hike
Rosengarten (Catinaccio) Range
This is a soft-intermediate hike. Though the walk across Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is relatively easy, the trail eventually ascends very steeply to the mountain ridge Rosszähne (Denti di Terrarossa).
It takes 3 hours to hike to Tierser Alpl (Alpe di Tires) from Compatsch (Compaccio). The distance is 7.21 km one-way. A lot of people choose to hike to Tierser Alpl in the morning, enjoy a delicious lunch at the hut, and then return to Seiser Alm in the late afternoon. Because this is a full-day hike, we recommend spending the night directly on the beautiful mountain plateau of Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi), or directly below in Seis am Schlern (Siusi). Here are a few options:
Budget | Villa Rier is a bed and breakfast in Seis am Schlern (Siusi) with spacious bedrooms.
Mid-Range | Hotel Bellavista is located directly on the slopes of Seiser Alm at Compatsch (Compaccio). With panoramic mountain views and a spa and wellness center, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Dolomites scenery. Breakfast is included.
4-Star Experience Hotel | Tirler – Dolomites Living Hotel is a deluxe hotel with an on-site spa, restaurant, bar, and amazing mountain views on Seiser Alm. Everything you could ever want is provided for. This eco-friendly hotel was also designed to reduce allergens.
Look for accommodation at Alpe di Siusi.
Tierser Alpl (Alpe di Tires) Overnight Hike
Another option you have is to stay the night in Tierserl Alpl, which is what we did. The natural beauty that envelops this remote hut is astounding. And, if you’re like us, once you arrive, you won’t want to leave. This family-owned mountain refuge was renovated in 2015, resulting in an absolutely stunning interior and very comfortable rooms.
Tierser Alpl is very well managed, so you can expect excellent service. However, the best reward is the cuisine that awaits you. All food is prepared in Tierser Alpl. They source their ingredients from nearby farms and the surrounding area. Breakfast is included in the accommodation price. For dinner, you can choose between a three-course “Halbpension Karte” menu, or order a la carte. Everything we sampled was delicious.
If you want to stay at Tierser Alpl as part of a hut-to-hut hike, read our Rosengarten trekking itinerary.
Elevation: 2,440 meters
Rooms: They offer both dormitory-style (for 8, 10, or 12 persons) and private rooms (for 2, 3, 4, or 6 persons).
Showers: Hot showers are available for a small fee.
Washrooms/Bathrooms: Shared
Reservation: Necessary. Book at least 3-5 months in advance.
Seiser Alm to Tierser Alpl Hike Summary
Trail Name/Numbers: 7, 2
Nature Park: Naturpark Schlern – Rosengarten (Sciliar – Catinaccio Natural Park)
Italian Province: South Tyrol
Starting Point: Compatsch (Compaccio), elevation 1,850 meters
Ending Point: Tierser Alpl Schutzhaus (Rifugio Alpe di Tires)
Points of Interest: Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi), Rosszähne (Denti di Terrarossa)
Parking: Seis Am Schlern (Siusi Allo Sciliar), free and paid parking available
Hiking Time: 3 – 3.5 hrs (one-way). Note: trail signs say it takes 2.5 hrs, but it took us a bit longer.
Distance: 7.21 km
Experience Level: Intermediate
More Information for Your Trip to the Dolomites:
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer
- Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary
- Hiking in the Dolomites in September
Popular Day Hikes in the Dolomites
Alta Badia Dolomites:
Val Gardena Dolomites:
Hut to Hut Hikes in the Dolomites:
- Trekking Tre Cime di Lavaredo (3 days)
- Rosengarten Dolomites Traverse (3 days)
- Alta Via 1 Trek (4-10 Days)
There are 9 comments on this post
Great and very informative article. I am looking at staying here in September. Do you have good panoramic views from here for sunrise and sunset? I noticed some people run off the trail to go to Rifugio Bolzano on their journey which looks nice. It also appears to have nice views. It seems there is a road going into Compatsch you cant drive between 9 and 5 unless you are staying there. I am assuming the Hotel Bellavista is on what they call the plateau and if I stayed there I could drive in. Do you know are they on what they call the plateau? Maybe they would let me park an extra day there for this hike. Thanks so much, Jerry
Hi Jerry! Unfortunately, we didn't take any sunset photos - we experienced a thunderstorm the night we stayed. We also didn't hike to Rifugio Bolzano, but that would be a fun idea. It looks like there's a hiking trail and a via ferrata route from Tierser Alpl to Rifugio Bolzano (see map). If you're driving, the easiest thing to do is to park at Seis Am Schlern (Siusi Allo Sciliar), which is directly below the seiser alm plateau. Next, take the Alpe di Siusi Aerial Cableway (Seiser Alm Bahn/Cabinovia Alpe di Siusi) from Seis Am Schlern (Siusi Allo Sciliar) to Compatsch (Compaccio). Good luck with your planning!
I love your site - so much great info!!
Thanks for the detalied description. It sounds like an amazing hike. I'm a bit confused about the way back to Seis Am Schlern. Do you back track the same way you came? Through compach and down the cable car or is there a faster way?
Thanks,
Enosh
Hi Enosh, We hiked down the same way we came up and took the cable car down. For other options, you can check out this map: https://www.tierseralpl.com/en/how-to-arrive.html
- Sabrina
Hi! Thanks for all the very useful info. Do you have any info about backpacking and sleeping in your own tent on Dolomites treks? Is that something that can be done or are there any rules against it?
Hi Sabina,
Wild camping is not allowed in the Dolomites. If you want to plan a multi-day trek in the Dolomites, you can stay in rifugios along the way.
Thanks for the great article! Looking forward to staying there. I know the last part you said was steep but would you describe it at all as exposed/difficult for someone with a fear of heights? I am a regular hiker but get a bit of vertigo on narrow/exposed trails so try to avoid them. Not afraid of uphill as long as I don’t feel like I’m about to plummet to my death. I have noticed some of the trails around here tend to be quite slippery with the scree/gravel so that combined with exposure is not ideal for me. Thanks for any info you can provide!
Hi Kristen,
You're welcome! To reach Rosszähne, you'll have to hike up some steep switchbacks. The trail is probably narrow, but you're not in any danger. Hiking poles will be helpful in unstable terrain. Let us know if you end up hiking this route. - Sabrina