Some places feel straight out of a fairy tale—and the Dolomites (Dolomiti) are one of them. This mountain range in northern Italy is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever seen, and one hike, in particular, stands out: the trek from Zanser Alm to Schlüterhütte.
Tucked away in Val di Funes (Villnöss Valley) in South Tyrol, near Santa Maddalena, this trail offers a one-of-a-kind hiking experience, from lush alpine meadows to jaw-dropping mountain views.
Here’s everything you need to know before tackling this stunning hike in Northern Italy.
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Where is Zanser Alm?
To do this trek in the Dolomites, you first need to reach Zanser Alm. We came here as part of a day trip from Verona, following A22 northbound. You could also leave for somewhere like Padua, but it will take about 45 minutes longer.
We rented a car from DiscoverCars for the day to do this day hike.
While Verona is in the Veneto region, Zanser Alm is in South Tyrol, where you’ll hear a mix of Italian, German, and Ladin, a local language spoken in parts of the Dolomites.
If you look at the map, you’ll see that Zanser Alm is not too far from the Austrian border, which explains part of the language overlap.
To be specific, Zanser Alm is located in the Dolomites, a subrange of the Alps stretching across eight European countries. However, the Dolomites make up just a small part of the Alps in northeastern Italy.
What are the Dolomites?
The Dolomites are a truly exceptional mountain range, part of the Southern Limestone Alps in northeastern Italy. They stretch across the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, and are famous for their dramatic peaks, rugged cliffs, and lush alpine meadows.
What Makes the Dolomites So Special?
The Dolomites are unlike any other mountains I’ve seen, and I always recommend them if you’re doing a slow travel trip to Italy. Here’s why they’re worth the trip:
UNESCO World Heritage Status: The Dolomites were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 thanks to their unique geological formations and otherworldly natural beauty.
Distinctive Pale Rock Formations: Unlike most mountain ranges, the Dolomites are made of dolomite rock, which gives them their signature pale, almost glowing appearance at sunrise and sunset (check the photo above). This is actually a phenomenon known as alpenglow (Enrosadira in Ladin).
World-Class Hiking & Outdoor Adventures: The mountains here are home to some of the most scenic hiking trails in the world. You can go from gentle alpine meadows to challenging via ferrata climbs to steep, thigh-burning ascents.
Year-Round Beauty: Summer sun and wildflowers contrast beautifully with its winter glow and ski trails. It’s a place that draws attention all year round!
Now, let’s dive into the Zanser Alm to Schlüterhütte hike!
Hiking from Zanser Alm to Schlüterhütte
After a scenic drive, watching the Alpine landscape slowly unfold, we arrived at Zanser Alm.
The landscape was a mix of lush greenery and charming brown-washed villages as we made our way up the hill to the parking lot. We parked at Parcheggio Malga Zannes for €8, which gave us parking for the entire day.
And for context, this trail is roughly 5.7 miles with 2,007ft elevation gain. It takes between about 4 hours to complete at a leisurely pace.
The route is very safe, but with the elevation gain, it is a bit challenging. (But oh so rewarding!)
Beginning of the Trail
The hike begins on a gravel road, leading through forests before transitioning into grass and dirt paths after crossing a couple of wooden bridges over a stream.
Shortly after, we saw two wooden cabins framed by the Dolomites, and from here, the terrain became more Alpine, with lush meadows and unforgettable views–seriously unforgettable.
After that, we had to follow up a path made out of cobblestones, which then exposed one of my favorite vistas of the entire trek. (See below!)
This is part of the Odle Group, making up that super rugged and pointy portion of the Dolomites. Its sharp, rugged peaks pierced the sky, and it’s one of the most photo-worthy spots, for sure.
On our way back down, we got to see the alpenglow I mentioned earlier, lighting up the dolomite rock in soft, golden hues.
Gampen Alm: Lunch + Midway Stop
One of the best perks of hiking in the Dolomites is that there are Alpine huts along the way where you can rest, refuel, and soak in the scenery.
At Gampen Alm, a restaurant and lodge along the trail, we did just that. We sat outside and enjoyed a nice lunch in the sunshine.
The menu was completely different from what we had been eating in Veneto, which made it all the more exciting. Eating here made me feel like I was no longer in my version of Italy.
I had a vegetarian dish of three different croquetas (more or less) with cabbage, which was lovely and well-presented. I also had a sour beer and a coffee, and both were fantastic to have at our half-way point.
Here you’ll also have some lounge chairs where you can sit out and relax, which we briefly did. There are also nice views of distant cows and the surrounding mountains, of course.
Gampen Alm is in the valley below- On top of the hill by Schlüterhütte
Final Ascent to Schlüterhütte
From Gampen Alm, the trail climbs higher out of the valley toward Schlüterhütte, another mountain lodge with absolutely unbelievable views.
As we ascended, we had panoramic views of the valley below, Gampen Alm, and the surrounding peaks. The photos don’t even do this place justice!
Once at Schlüterhütte, I decided to scramble up the rocky hill nearby, which turned out to be the best decision ever, despite my desire to give up every two minutes. This was where I captured some of my favorite photos of the entire trip.
Heading Back Down
For the return back to Zanser Alm, you have two options:
- Retrace your steps past Gampen Alm, returning the way you came.
- Take the loop toward Kaserill Alm and the Zannes Nature Trail bridge.
We chose to retrace our steps. We got to see some wildlife, including more cows, and catch that iconic Golden Hour glow on the Odle Group again.
If you take the loop, you’ll see new landscapes toward Kaserill Alm, but I can’t promise the same magical view of the Olde Group! I can’t tell from the map if you’ll pass a similar spot.
More Trail Info
We more or less followed the Zanser Alm – Schlüterhütte – Kaserill Alm Trail from AllTrails, but skipped the full loop. If you want detailed trail reviews, AllTrails is a great resource for planning your trek!
Final Thoughts on This Dolomites Hike
This trek from Zanser Alm to Schlüterhütte captures the sheer magnitude of the Dolomites—alpine meadows, rugged peaks, cozy mountain huts, and unreal views. Seriously, I posted a selfie on my Instagram story with the Odle Group in the background, and multiple people asked if that was a poster or a real background.
If you’re visiting the Dolomites and want a rewarding hike that isn’t overly strenuous but still delivers EPIC!!! scenery, this is one is hard to pass up.
And if you can’t rent a car and you’re staying in Venice, you can check out this day tour to Dolomites and Lake Braies. It doesn’t take you to same places as this trail, but still offers a beautiful look at what the Dolomiti have to offer.
Would you do this hike? Italy is full of such diverse landscapes. Let me know in the comments! Happy travels!
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