Fie Allo Sciliar *Alpe di Siusi
9.41 miles walking
Today we got up early so we could drive the access road to Alpe di Siusi, the largest alpine meadow in the Alps, before the road closed at 9:00 (otherwise, we'd have to ride the Tram at 15E a head). It wasn't any worse than driving up the Cottonwood Canyons. The Meadow itself is 6,000 feet above sea level and the nearby cliffs just over 11,000.
We had planned a 4 hour hike/walk through the meadow and along the ridge line for the day - we managed to do it in just over 6 hours - we were in no rush. The meadow is gorgeous and deep green with yellow wild flowers. The wild flowers reminded me of the basin above Alta. The mountains above are white and jagged with no vegetation. It's a dramatic contrast.
We took a fancy chair lift for 6 up to the overlook and hiked an 1 1/2 hour to our first lodge. (The chair lift had a plastic cover, like a windshield, we could pull over ourselves to protect us from wind). Along our hike we passed several small huts and plenty of other hikers and mountain bikers. We quickly learned about the electric fences that keep the cows in their pasture when Charlie touched one and cried it hurt so bad. The cows wore big bells that rang through the meadow as we walked, it was enchanting.
After another couple of hours of hiking and a couple games of Gin Rummy on the meadow, we reached our 2nd hut and had lunch. All the huts have rest stops for hungry trekkers, bikers, and skiers in winter. I was amazed at the senior citizens out enjoying the mountains. We were some of the youngest people on the mountain. At each hut there was also a playground for kids, so there must be kids here at some point.
After our jaunt along the ridge line we took another chair lift back down to the meadow and a bus back to our car. (Think of the people mover at Zion National Park). My fit bit says we walked 20,000 feet/8.5 miles/ and climbed 165 flights of stairs. If it weren't for all the gelato and pastries we keep eating, we might loose some weight. Oh - and on our way home we bought some apple strudel, because that's what you're suppose to eat in these parts!
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| Enjoying the playgrounds in the Alpe di Siusi |
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| Sound of Music Pose |
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