The ascent to the Alpe di Siusi (1844 m) is one of the most captivating experiences for anyone who loves cycling through exceptional alpine landscapes. The route starts at the junction for Siusi, just above Castelrotto (1090 m), and climbs to the largest high‑altitude plateau in Europe along a perfectly paved road, with an average gradient of 8.2% and peaks of 10–11% on the steepest sections.
A steady climb immersed in the Dolomite scenery
The ascent stretches for about 9 km, always very regular, with no brutal ramps but also no real moments of recovery. After passing through the small hamlet of San Valentino, the road enters the forest and alternates between hairpin bends and short straight sections, offering beautiful panoramic openings over the Sciliar, Siusi and the valley descending towards Bolzano.
The most demanding section appears shortly after the Hotel Gstatsch, where for about 500 metres the gradient reaches nearly 11%. Once past Malga Frommer (1684 m), the view opens up and the final destination comes into sight: the Alpe di Siusi plateau, reached after the last group of hairpins and the first parking areas.
The arrival point is near the information centre, where the road becomes closed to private traffic. From here, one of the most iconic panoramas of the Dolomites unfolds, dominated by the Sciliar, the Sassolungo and the Sassopiatto.
Recommended variants and detours
Once on the Alpe, you can continue along two main branches, both closed to private vehicles:
- Towards Saltria: an almost flat paved road with spectacular views of the Sassolungo.
- Towards Punta d’Oro (Goldknopf, 2145 m): accessed to the right of the information centre; the first stretch is a downhill gravel section, followed by steeper climbs leading towards the lift area.
When to tackle the climb
To fully enjoy the experience, it is best to avoid the peak tourist months: traffic towards the Alpe can be heavy and make the ride less pleasant. The ideal periods are June and late September, when the plateau’s meadows burst into colour and the tranquillity of the Dolomite landscape is at its best.
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