We leave our car at the car park in Compaccio. Our rucksacks are filled with plenty of water and food as we take the path from Compaccio towards Malga Saltner and walk past a small lake with a small hut. At Malga Saltner Tschapit (Rif. Saltnerhütte Tschapit 1,731 m a.s.l.) at the foot of the Sciliar massif where we can fill our water bottles for the last time before tackling the ascent to the Rifugio Bolzano on Monte Pez.

The entire hike to the Sciliar can be completed in about three hours and 10 minutes. The first, easy and varied section takes us to forests and blooming meadows. We leave this stretch, also known as "tourist itinerary" behind us and climb the numerous hairpin bends on the slope. On the north-eastern slope grow mountain pines. As we climb towards the mountain hut, we enjoy a great view of the entire Alpe di Siusi. If you keep quiet and are lucky enough you can hear or even see the whistling marmots.

After some short breaks we arrive at the Sciliar high plateau with its seemingly endless meadows and pastures. The Rifugio Bolzano on Monte Pez (Schlernhaus at 2,475 m a.s.l.) is only a short distance from here. We reach the hut and stop for a lunch break with a delicious "gulasch soup". We could proceed towards the summit cross of the Monte Pez, the highest point of the Sciliar high plateau (about 20 minutes of walking time). From the stunning panoramic point you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the glaciers of the Stubai Alps, the Alpi Venoste, the Ortles-Cevedale group and the Adamello massif. However, we prefer to eat our lunch and enjoy a magnificent view of the Sella group, the Sassolungo and the Catinaccio group. After a long break we return to the valley by retracing our steps. We stop for a break at Malga Saltner and return to the car park of Compaccio, the starting point of our hike.

Note: The car park in Compaccio is accessible by private car until 9 am but we recommend starting this hike early in the morning. Experienced and well-trained hikers can try an alternative option for the descent: initially, the itinerary descends to Malga Moarboden (2,227 m a.s.l.) and Malga Seggiola (Sessel Schwaige at 1,940 m a.s.l.) before continuing through the Sciliar gorge and on a path of tree trunks known as "Prügelweg" (or "Knüppelweg"). From the crossroads "Peter Frag" we continue towards Malga Tuff and Fié allo Sciliar (signpost no. 1, about three hours and 10 minutes of walking) and return to Compaccio by bus.

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Author: AT

Date of the hike: 17 July 2010
Last updated in: 2026

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