How do I pack my rucksack sustainably?

Less is more — and that applies especially when packing your rucksack. Pack only what you truly need, but pack it wisely: Local & seasonal food: Ideal for energy and environmentally friendly thanks to short transport routes. Reusable container: Keeps snacks fresh and allows you to carry your waste back down. Reusable water bottles: Refill at drinking fountains to avoid plastic waste. Toilet paper: Breaks down in 2–4 weeks; tissues take up to 5 years. Avoid unnecessary weight: Mountain huts offer food and drinks, so no need to carry extra. Checklist for day hikes: Hiking map Waste bag or box Small snack Refillable bottle Sun/rain protection First-aid kit Blister plasters Toilet paper Fully charged phone & charger Pocketknife Cash Weather-appropriate clothing & sturdy shoes

+ How can I reduce waste as much as possible?

Never leave anything behind in nature. Pack only what you need. Whatever you take up the mountain, take back down with you. Separate and dispose of waste correctly once home.

Where can I refill my water bottle?

South Tyrol’s tap water is excellent quality. Help reduce plastic waste by using the many marked drinking fountains to refill your reusable bottle.

What do I do if I need the toilet while hiking?

Use public toilets whenever available. Prefer toilet paper over tissues — it breaks down much faster. Ideally: carry used toilet paper back in a small bag and dispose of it properly. Always go far away from water sources like streams, lakes or ponds.

What should I consider when hiking with a dog?

Keep your dog on a leash at all times. Use the designated dog-waste stations throughout the region. Waste bags are free and must be used and disposed of properly — never in nature. Dog waste must not remain on meadows, as livestock feed can be contaminated and lead to miscarriages in cows Holiday with your dog

I don’t want to hike alone — what can I do?

There are many hiking guides in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm who can accompany you. Tourist offices and many accommodations also organise guided hikes several times a week. Feel free to join in! Hiking guides Tourist offices

I found a fossil — what should I do?

Fossils are considered cultural assets under Italian law and are therefore protected, just like historical or archaeological finds. For scientific research and decisions on how to handle these fossils, the local natural history museums and their palaeontologists are responsible in most Italian regions. For the Province of Bozen-South Tyrol, the following applies: Extracting fossils is prohibited throughout the region. Collectors are required to inform themselves on-site about the compliance with legal regulations. The law stipulates severe penalties for violations. Special permits for collecting minerals in nature parks or collecting fossils throughout the region are granted exclusively for scientific purposes. Cultural artifacts are state property. Cultural artifacts (Italian: beni archeologici/beni culturali) are, according to Italian law, state property. Private individuals are not considered the lawful owners of artifacts discovered by chance. If someone makes a find of palaeontological interest, they are legally obliged to report the find within 48 hours to the relevant state representatives (such as the heritage office, police, forestry office, Carabinieri, etc.). After being examined, scientific finds are stored in museum depots, where the finder can view them at any time, provided the details of the find were recorded when the item was submitted. So, if you find a fossil or stone and are unsure whether it has scientific/palaeontological value, proceed as follows: Record the personal details of the finder. Retain the item or take a photo of it (important: place something next to it to clearly show the size comparison, such as a Euro coin). Send the photo to the person responsible for palaeontology in the Province of Bolzano. If the examination concludes that the item is not of scientific interest, the finder may theoretically keep it, but they should be aware that the legal owner remains the state or the Province of Bozen-South Tyrol.

A man and a woman hiking on Seiser Alm in spring

Hiking on the Seiser Alm & in the villages

Explore the Dolomites while hiking in South Tyrol

Hiking on the Seiser Alm at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,500 m, and around the villages of Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern and Tiers am Rosengarten between 800 and 1,100 m, offers endless opportunities for families, leisure hikers and summit seekers. With its 56 km², the Seiser Alm is the largest high Alpine pasture in Europe. Around 300 days of sunshine a year combined with a 450 km network of hiking trails create the perfect conditions for pure enjoyment while hiking in South Tyrol, in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage.

Hiking map

Download

Hiking & enjoyment

The advantages of hiking in the holiday region

On the Seiser Alm and around the villages at the foot of the plateau, countless hiking routes await you. From family-friendly trails to barrier-free paths and hut or summit tours, the choice is truly varied. The best part: many routes lead past traditional mountain huts, where you can stop for a break and enjoy warm hospitality and regional as well as Italian specialities. Look forward to a wonderfully varied hiking experience!

Hiking trails Huts

Theme trails & multi-day tours

Unlimited hiking joy in the Dolomites

The themed trails in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm are numerous, highly informative and can be divided into four categories: family, water, history and geology. Set off on a journey of discovery and immerse yourself in these fascinating worlds!
Ambitious hikers will also find plenty to enjoy. Multi-day tours allow you to explore the mountains down to the remotest corners while enjoying breathtaking views.

Theme trails Multi-day tours

A family with two children hiking on Seiser Alm

Dolomites Region Seiser Alm

Hiking in all its variety

Live from the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm

Real-time information & insights

How do I behave correctly in the mountains?

Tips & rules for every situation

In the mountains you may encounter situations where the right behaviour matters. Here you’ll find tips and guidance for a range of circumstances. Click through and get informed before heading out into the Dolomites!

: Rain impairs visibility. Ideally wait until the rain decreases and orient yourself by the ground markings.
: When it rains, the ground becomes slippery. Walk carefully, look closely where you step and avoid steep, dangerous paths.
: Avoid prominent objects in case of lightning (trees, boulders etc.). On a via ferrata take the next exit.
: In rain, streams rise and develop great danger potential. Cross them only at the marked points!
: In heavy rain, a rockfall can occur. Therefore, do not stay near vertical rock faces under any circumstances!
: In a thunderstorm, metal objects can become dangerous. If you have something made of metal on your body, remove it immediately.
: Leave the danger zone as quickly as possible and seek shelter at lower levels. Also observe the local warnings.
: Make sure you can call for help in an emergency (e.g. via mobile phone) and inform someone about your route before you start.

How do I move safely & respectfully in the mountains?

Safe adventures in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage

Hiker Check the weather forecast, match clothing/equipment to the tour, pack a first-aid kit and rain or sun protection.
Silence Avoid unnecessary noise and walk quietly to protect wildlife and preserve tranquillity.
Stay on trails Stick to marked paths, close gates and fences, and note that some paths cross private property.
Protected flora & fauna: Some plants and animals are protected. Respect them and help safeguard the vegetation.
Backpack Pack thoughtfully: take enough drinking water, carry your waste back to the valley and leave.
Livestock Keep your distance from grazing animals and do not feed or pet them; they can pose a danger.
Dogs Keep your distance from grazing animals and do not feed or pet them; they can pose a danger.
Cyclists & hikers: Where trails are shared between hikers and cyclists, be considerate of others.
Tourist office Our tourist offices can advise you on parking, public transport and access to starting points.
Emergency In emergencies, call 112 or use the “SOS EU Alp” app. You are legally required to provide first aid.

: Less is more — and that applies especially when packing your rucksack. Pack only what you truly need, but pack it wisely:

Local & seasonal food:
Ideal for energy and environmentally friendly thanks to short transport routes.

Reusable container:
Keeps snacks fresh and allows you to carry your waste back down.

Reusable water bottles:
Refill at drinking fountains to avoid plastic waste.

Toilet paper:
Breaks down in 2–4 weeks; tissues take up to 5 years.

Avoid unnecessary weight:
Mountain huts offer food and drinks, so no need to carry extra.

Checklist for day hikes:

Hiking map

Waste bag or box

Small snack

Refillable bottle

Sun/rain protection

First-aid kit

Blister plasters

Toilet paper

Fully charged phone & charger

Pocketknife

Cash

Weather-appropriate clothing & sturdy shoes
: Never leave anything behind in nature.

Pack only what you need.

Whatever you take up the mountain, take back down with you.

Separate and dispose of waste correctly once home.
: South Tyrol’s tap water is excellent quality. Help reduce plastic waste by using the many marked drinking fountains to refill your reusable bottle.
: Use public toilets whenever available.

Prefer toilet paper over tissues — it breaks down much faster.

Ideally: carry used toilet paper back in a small bag and dispose of it properly.

Always go far away from water sources like streams, lakes or ponds.
: Keep your dog on a leash at all times.

Use the designated dog-waste stations throughout the region. Waste bags are free and must be used and disposed of properly — never in nature.

Dog waste must not remain on meadows, as livestock feed can be contaminated and lead to miscarriages in cows

Holiday with your dog
: There are many hiking guides in the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm who can accompany you. Tourist offices and many accommodations also organise guided hikes several times a week. Feel free to join in!

Hiking guides
Tourist offices
: Fossils are considered cultural assets under Italian law and are therefore protected, just like historical or archaeological finds.
For scientific research and decisions on how to handle these fossils, the local natural history museums and their palaeontologists are responsible in most Italian regions.
For the Province of Bozen-South Tyrol, the following applies:

Extracting fossils is prohibited throughout the region.
Collectors are required to inform themselves on-site about the compliance with legal regulations. The law stipulates severe penalties for violations.
Special permits for collecting minerals in nature parks or collecting fossils throughout the region are granted exclusively for scientific purposes.

Cultural artifacts are state property.
Cultural artifacts (Italian: beni archeologici/beni culturali) are, according to Italian law, state property. Private individuals are not considered the lawful owners of artifacts discovered by chance. If someone makes a find of palaeontological interest, they are legally obliged to report the find within 48 hours to the relevant state representatives (such as the heritage office, police, forestry office, Carabinieri, etc.). After being examined, scientific finds are stored in museum depots, where the finder can view them at any time, provided the details of the find were recorded when the item was submitted.

So, if you find a fossil or stone and are unsure whether it has scientific/palaeontological value, proceed as follows:

Record the personal details of the finder.

Retain the item or take a photo of it (important: place something next to it to clearly show the size comparison, such as a Euro coin).

Send the photo to the person responsible for palaeontology in the Province of Bolzano.

If the examination concludes that the item is not of scientific interest, the finder may theoretically keep it, but they should be aware that the legal owner remains the state or the Province of Bozen-South Tyrol.