Alpe di Siusi - The Italian Alps

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!

Enjoying the playgrounds in the Alpe di Siusi

Sound of Music Pose

Near Castelrotto -the Italian Alps

Fie Allo Sciliar * Castelrotto 

We had a wonderful, relaxing day!  We arrived in our little Italian/German village around 12:00 and found a park to eat lunch.  The kids (even Maren) played on the playground equipment.  I laughed as I pushed all 4 of my children on a giant swing together.  As a family we had contests doing the slack line and climbing the rope toys.  There are interesting parks around every corner with toys we haven't seen in the states - usually something that might give a kid a sliver, or a slide that's too steep - perhaps fewer helicopter parents here that are worried about kids getting hurt while they have fun.

Our German chalet is darling with white stucco, dark wood shutters, and geranium plants on every window sill.  The countryside is beautiful, with deep green hills, stark white sharp mountains above, and little villages scattered about with a church always in the middle.

At the grocery store today the clerk actually spoke German to me first rather than Italian or English.  All the signs are first in German, then Italian and the parking garage says Thank You in German rather than Italian when leaving.  

We did laundry in our kitchen sink and the kids swam in the very cold swimming pool while we lounged about.  After dinner (I made another pasta dish with green beans) we drove to nearby Castelrotto and wandered around just enjoying the cuteness of it all!

Castelrotto

Castelrotto

Castelrotto