Elderhostel Italian Dolomites and Austrian Alps Hiking Trip - May-2005

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DAY 2 – WALK THE “TRAIL OF THE WITCHES”

We took a local bus to Campatsch (6004’) that served as a collection point for visitors to the popular hiking/walking trails on the Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi.alpine hiking area. Trails of interest to our group were those that looped the Puflatsch / Bullaccia plateau to the north of Campatsch and later in the week we walked up the shelf to the south.

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Our leader answers one of many questions as we set off on our first day's hike. We walked for a while from Campatsch along a paved road and split off uphill along a side trail.	We then followed a series of switchbacks on a narrow trail through grassland (maybe a cow trail?). Some huffing and puffing suddenly made its appearance as the uphill climbing took a toll on those of us who had left sea-level terrain at home, suddenly found ourselves at a mile high elevation.

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Enroute we paused for a brief snowball fight (not too serious) at a rapidly melting snow patch. We soon reached the top and an abandoned ski lift building. The top of the plateau is about 6762 feet. One couple chose to rest in a very supportive repose. I chose a parked ski-lift chair to catch my breath.

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We were above the tree line as we walked from the summit buildings toward the plateau's edge. A cloud perched over the summit and the temperature dropped significantly. Once the sun came out again, the mild, pleasant weather returned. We continued our walk looping around the edge of the Puflatsch / Bullaccia counter-clockwise back to Campatsch. (not to Saltria as the published program indicated) Great views over the edge of the plateau with an excellent view of Castelrotto far below.


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One resting place on the edge of the plateau has been called the “Witches' Benches”. This is a unique spot where truncated edges of vertical columnar basalt pillars make great seats for both witches and tired hikers. We stopped enroute for a picnic lunch at an alpine hut (not yet opened for the season)

Some comments about the Witches. Supernatural forces have been attributed to the Schlern since ancient times when burnt offerings were made in an attempt to pacify demons. As late as the Counter Reformation during the Middle Ages, witch-hunters condemned many women believed to be witches to death. Today, a picture of the “Schlern Witch” on a broomstick has become an advertising symbol for this area.

Click to Enlarge	We had a final view of the dolomite range across the valley as we walked down to Campatsch. The Langkofel/Sasso Lungo peak to the left (10436 feet) and the Plattkofel/Sasso Piatto (9695 feet) to the right.

Best guess is that we hiked up a total of about 900 feet including a few up/down sections after reaching the top and about 6 miles in length. See Route Map Also see Regional Relief Map for this area showing the areas of our three hikes from Castelrotto.