For our first multi-day hike in the Dolomites, we wanted wide views without having to cross a via ferrata or exposed ridge, because I have a fear of heights. The circuit via Schlernhaus and Plattkofelhütte was just right: short distances on paper, surprisingly full days in reality and evenings that were at least as memorable as the trails.
Our Alpe di Siusi hut-to-hut route at a glance
We planned four nights from 14 to 18 August: one arrival night in the valley or on the Ritten plateau, two nights in mountain huts and a flexible journey home after descending. The hike itself consisted of three stages:
- 15 August: Compatsch to Schlernhaus, approximately 10 kilometres and around 3 hours of walking
- 16 August: Schlernhaus to Plattkofelhütte, approximately 7 kilometres and about 4.5 hours in our plan
- 17 August: Plattkofelhütte to Saltria, followed by the bus to Compatsch
The distances look short, but this route should not be underestimated. Elevation, breaks, photographs, changing weather and a loaded backpack quickly turn a few kilometres into a full hiking day. The second stage in particular is far more than a seven-kilometre stroll.
Is this hut-to-hut hike suitable if you have a fear of heights?
I have a fear of heights myself and spent a long time looking for a suitable multi-day route. I did not want to cross an exposed ridge or encounter a via ferrata. Researching this was harder than expected: blogs and route descriptions usually show only isolated parts of a trail, while maps and a handful of photographs on Komoot rarely reveal what the entire route is really like.
Based on my own experience, I can recommend our route via Schlernhaus and Plattkofelhütte to hikers with a fear of heights or limited alpine experience. It was physically demanding, but we did not reach a point where the height frightened me. Weather, sure-footedness and the exact route variant can alter how a path feels, so check current trail conditions and always decide according to your own comfort and ability.
14 August: Arriving on the Ritten plateau
We allowed around five and a half hours for the journey. We spent the first night at Hotel Wieserhof on the Ritten plateau, including breakfast. Adding a night before the hike was an excellent decision. Instead of beginning a climb with luggage immediately after a long drive, we could arrive, eat, organise our equipment and start early the following morning.
If you also plan a night beforehand, do not consider price alone. An early breakfast, straightforward access and parking may matter more than extra facilities. That evening, we packed only what we needed for two hut nights into our hiking backpacks; everything else stayed in the car.
15 August: From Compatsch to Schlernhaus
In the morning, we drove towards Seis am Schlern. The easiest option is to leave the car at the valley station of the Alpe di Siusi cable car and take it to Compatsch. The ascent cost around €19 per person during our trip; check current prices and operating times before travelling.
Alternatively, it is possible to drive to Compatsch before 9 am. From summer 2026, an online reservation is also required for car parks P1 or P2. The uphill road is closed between 9 am and 5 pm, while downhill travel remains possible. For a hike with several overnight stays, the valley station is usually simpler because it has a large free outdoor car park. Do not rely on old blog information; check the current Alpe di Siusi access rules.
Our approximately ten-kilometre stage to Schlernhaus began in Compatsch. At first, the walking felt easy: alpine meadows, wide paths and constantly changing views of the peaks. The real climb becomes more noticeable later, so avoid starting too quickly and refill water before the final refreshment stop.
We had noted around three hours of actual walking time. Allow more for breaks and photographs. Schlernhaus expected guests to arrive by approximately 5 pm. That rule makes sense in the mountains: weather and visibility can change rapidly in the afternoon, and hut staff need to know whether reserved beds will be occupied.
Staying at Schlernhaus
We slept in a shared dormitory. At the time, the bed with breakfast cost about €60 per person, with a discount for alpine club members. Dinner was ordered and paid for separately and was very good. Coin-operated showers are typical in huts where water is limited. Schlernhaus now lists different prices and terms, so these figures document our personal trip rather than promise a current price.
The evening showed why an overnight stay is worthwhile. As the light softened and the day visitors left, the atmosphere changed completely. We sat outside Schlernhaus and watched the sunset colour the rocks.
16 August: From Schlernhaus to Plattkofelhütte
We had breakfast at Schlernhaus at around 7 am and left immediately afterwards. Days in mountain huts generally begin early, and breakfast times at both huts reflected that. As far as I remember, the breakfast window at Plattkofelhütte was slightly longer.
At approximately seven kilometres, the second stage was shorter than the previous day, yet our plan estimated around four and a half hours. Our actual route became longer after we took a wrong turn and walked quite a way downhill before having to climb back up. This can happen despite a digital route and signposts. Leave enough time so that a detour does not immediately create stress.
Even without our mistake, this stage shows why distance alone says little about a mountain route. Climbs, narrower passages and terrain determine the pace more strongly than kilometres.
We prepared using a saved Komoot route and an existing itinerary. A digital route is useful but does not replace current signs or your own judgement. Download maps offline and carry a power bank, as mobile coverage and battery life can be much worse in the mountains than expected.
We booked a shared room with half board at Plattkofelhütte. During our trip, it cost roughly €82 per person and required a deposit. It was absolutely worth it. The room was modern, and the food felt almost like a fine-dining restaurant: a large breakfast buffet and a delicious multi-course dinner. We had already eaten well at Schlernhaus, but Plattkofelhütte was something special. Cancellation policies and prices change, so the current Plattkofelhütte information and your booking confirmation are decisive.
17 August: Descending via Saltria to Compatsch
On the third morning, we headed back towards Compatsch. Parts of the descent were genuinely steep and hard on the knees after two hiking days, so we walked deliberately slowly. Trekking poles can make this section much more comfortable.
From Saltria, we took the bus for the final stretch to Compatsch. Walking would have followed the road across Alpe di Siusi for much of the way and would have been less scenic. The bus also saved energy after the steep descent. Knowing about this option in advance made the final stage considerably more relaxed.
From Compatsch, the cable car returned us to the valley station before we drove home. We deliberately avoided booking a fixed evening activity. The return journey after a hut hike needs more buffer than it appears to on paper.
Mountain huts, reservations and what we paid
- Night before the hike: Hotel Wieserhof on the Ritten plateau, breakfast included
- Schlernhaus: during our trip about €60 per person in a dormitory with breakfast; dinner and coin shower extra; alpine club discount
- Plattkofelhütte: during our trip about €82 per person in a modern shared room with breakfast buffet and multi-course dinner; €40 deposit
- Alpe di Siusi cable car: during our trip about €19 per person for the ascent
These prices document our own trip. Schlernhaus now lists higher rates, while cable car, bus and parking costs also change. Check all figures shortly before booking. Alpine club membership was worthwhile for us not only because of hut discounts, but also because of the Alpine Safety Service and the reassurance of having the DAV behind us.
Interactive packing list for the hut-to-hut hike
This list is based on our own equipment for a summer route with two hut nights. Adapt it to the forecast, trail, your personal needs and the rules of each hut.
Your packing list
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Check separately whether each hut requires a sleeping-bag liner. Even if one does not, the next may have different rules. The same applies to card payments: cash remains a sensible reserve in mountain huts.
Our verdict on this Dolomites hut-to-hut hike
The circuit via Schlernhaus and Plattkofelhütte was an ideal short multi-day hike for us. It offered enough challenge without feeling like a compulsory sporting exercise. The slower moments stayed with us as much as the summit views: eating outside, waiting for sunset, packing again in the morning and knowing that the trail was the day’s only destination.
For a first hut-to-hut experience, this is a manageable route with several exit options. It still demands respect for weather and terrain. With a light backpack, early reservations and enough time between stages, three hiking days become exactly the kind of journey we want to repeat: seeing plenty without having to tick off everything.
