At Alpe di Siusi, the space between the mountains is as much a part of the view as the peaks. Low hills, wooden hay huts, and wet meadows fill the foreground, with Sassolungo rising behind them. In autumn, the grass turns from green to ochre and the low sun brings out every fold in the pasture.
Also called Seiser Alm, this plateau lies in South Tyrol, above Siusi and Castelrotto. It covers about 56 km², much of it around 1,800–2,300 metres above sea level; the local tourism board describes it as Europe’s largest high alpine pasture. Sassolungo and Sasso Piatto frame one side, while Sciliar forms the broad rock wall to the southwest.
Sunrise by the moors
Start in Compatsch and head east towards the moors before continuing to Sporthotel Sonne. For photography, allow enough time to reach the open ground before sunrise, with a headlamp for the approach and a warm layer for standing still. The cable car opens too late for this start: drive up early or stay on the plateau.
From the paths beside the moors, you can frame the huts and meadow with Sassolungo behind them. On a cold, still morning, mist can settle in the hollows, though it is never guaranteed. Try a wider frame for the grass and sky, then a longer lens to bring the huts and mountains closer together. Keep your feet and tripod on the path; the wet ground is habitat, not a shortcut to a composition.
Sonne and Puflatsch
Continue towards Sporthotel Sonne, then turn back west towards Puflatsch, also called Bullaccia. The changing direction gives you different backgrounds for the huts: look north towards Seceda as well as back towards Sassolungo. The mapped route climbs onto the lower Puflatsch slopes above Compatsch; it does not include the 2,177-metre summit or the full Puflatsch circuit.
From there, descend towards the bottom station of the Spitzbühl lift, then walk uphill to Compatsch to close the loop. The map shows 16 km before that final return, so allow a full day with photography stops. In autumn, plan to walk the whole route: the smaller lifts have shorter seasons than the main cable car. Check for fresh snow or ice before setting out, especially after a cold night.
Meadows and wetland plants
These open pastures are also a working landscape, shaped by generations of grazing and haymaking. The nature park’s habitat guide describes a mosaic of meadows, heath, and boggy ground where forests once grew. That history helps explain the scattered hay huts and the open views.
The wetter patches support sedges, cotton grass, mosses, and butterworts, small carnivorous plants that catch insects on sticky leaves. Autumn is more about the colour and texture of the vegetation than flowers. Stay on marked paths and respect fences: drainage and intensive farming have already put pressure on these wetland habitats.
Driving and parking
During the cable-car season, private cars may drive uphill only before 09:00 or after 17:00. You can drive down at any time; buses and authorised vehicles still use the road during the day. When the cable car closes between seasons, the road normally opens all day. Check the current access rules for your date.
For autumn 2026, P2 Compatsch costs €30 per car per day and requires an online reservation, available six days ahead. For a morning arrival, pass the St. Valentin checkpoint before 09:00 and enter the car park by 09:30. Parking is prohibited from 23:00 to 05:00, so an early photography start means arriving after 05:00. P1 Spitzbühl costs €15 per day and also needs a reservation, but adds an uphill walk to the start.
Cable car and buses
For a daytime walk, the Siusi–Compatsch cable car still runs well into autumn. The 2026 timetable lists service through 2 November, with October hours of 08:00–18:00. An adult return costs €30, and the outdoor parking at the valley station is free. Check the season dates again when planning a later trip.
You can also take the Seiser Alm Express, bus 10, from Castelrotto or selected services from Siusi to Compatsch. A return costs €30 in 2026; the Südtirol Guest Pass does not cover the uphill section to the plateau. Alternatively, local shuttles connect the villages to the cable-car station. See the bus connections and fares.
For late autumn, check Silbernagl’s dated timetables: 17 October–2 November 2026 uses a combined 10+11 service. During the cable-car closure between seasons, bus 179 serves Compatsch instead and accepts the Südtirol Guest Pass. Check both the first ascent and last descent before choosing a bus for a photography day.
