Seceda Ridgeline Hike in the Dolomites
The Seceda Ridgeline Hike is a must-do in Val Gardena, so you can’t miss it on your Dolomites Itinerary. The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world.
Wondering how to visit Seceda Ridgeline? Seceda offers one of the most beautiful views and most comfortable mountain experiences with breathtaking landscapes to enjoy without any effort. We think this is one of the best hikes in South Tyrol/Dolomites that should not be skipped.
This ultimate guide to the Seceda Ridgeline Hike includes the best time to visit, how to reach the peak of Seceda, what to expect on the hike, and practical information.
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Seceda Hike Details
Hike Distance: Short loop about 8 km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Hike Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Where is Seceda Peak in Italy?
Seceda is a stunning mountain in the Puez-Odle Nature Park in South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy. Seceda is located in the Val Gardena region and is easily accessible from the town of Ortisei/St. Ulrich.
TIP
If you plan to stay in Val Gardena for more days, you can save money by buying a Gardena Card. This card offers unlimited use of the cableways and lifts in Val Gardena.
When to Hike to Seceda
The best time to visit Seceda is from early June to mid-October. August is usually the busiest month in the Dolomites. If you want to avoid crowds and high prices, you should visit during the low season.
The Ortisei-Furnes cableway and Furnes-Seceda cable car opening hours daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Both will start operating from 31 May until 3 November 2024. Opening times may vary due to weather conditions, so you should check the cable car schedules before you go.
TIP
In the mountains, the weather can be unpredictable. Always pack warm clothes, suitable hiking shoes, and a raincoat.
Read our → Ultimate Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary
How to Reach the Seceda Ridgeline Hike?
From Ortisei, the easiest and quickest way to get to Seceda is to take the Ortisei-Furnes gondola and then the Furnes-Seceda cable car. If you arrive by car in Ortisei, you can park right next to the cable car station for 13 EUR per day or 1.90 EUR per hour.
The iconic viewpoint of Seceda is just a 10-minute walk from the cable car, so even those who don’t like hiking are worth a visit. From here, you can decide to continue hiking or head back to the cable car station, but in our opinion, it is well worth the effort.
The Seceda hike takes about 2-3 hours.
Keep reading → Best Hikes in the Dolomites
Col Raiser to Seceda
Another way to reach Seceda is to take the Col Raiser cable car from St. Christina. It takes about 1-1.5 hours to reach the Seceda viewpoint from the cable car station.
The Col Raiser cable railway ticket costs 28 EUR return and 19 EUR one-way for adults. For children (6-13 years), a roundtrip ticket costs 17 EUR, and a single ticket costs 13 EUR. Children under 6 years are free of charge.
The Col Raiser cable railway operates usually from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
TIP
Before you visit Seceda, check the weather forecast and the mountain webcam.
Seceda Hike without Cable Car
If you are a nature lover or want to save money, you can reach the peak of Seceda without a cable car. You can hike up from the Cristauta-Praplan parking lot.
From the parking lot, follow the trail to the Fermeda Hut (Rifugio Fermeda Hütte), then continue the hike to the Seceda summit. The hike takes 2-2.5 hours, and you can enjoy the stunning views along the path.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! Travel insurance is the best way to avoid extra expenses due to unexpected accidents, cancellations, delays, loss of personal items, and emergencies.
TIP
Hungariandreamers readers get a 5% discount on Heymondo.
Seceda Ridgeline Hike
When you arrive, buy a cable car ticket and travel to the Seceda. The ticket allows you to use the Cableway Ortise-Furnes+Cableway Furnes-Seceda to reach the top of Seceda. If you don’t want to hike up or down, you should buy a return ticket. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the top with both cable cars.
Starting point: Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cable car station.
Good to know
The Seceda cable car ticket costs 41 EUR return and 31 EUR one-way for adults.
A roundtrip ticket for children costs 22 EUR, and a single ticket costs 16 EUR. Children under 8 years are free of charge. Dogs and bikes cost 5 EUR.
See also → Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike
Seceda Viewpoint
After arriving at the cable car station, you can reach the panoramic viewpoint in just a 10-minute walk. Seceda is the highest viewpoint in Val Gardena, at 2500 meters. There are magnificent views of the Dolomites, and from the top, you can see the mountains of South Tyrol. There is a metal ring with the names of all the mountains on it, which can be useful information when looking around.
Then, continue the hike along the Seceda ridge towards the Odle peaks. This hike is of medium difficulty, as the trails are on a relatively steep slope, but the paths are well-maintained. If the weather is bad and the ground is wet, we recommend you walk more slowly and use a hiking stick.
It’s worth looking back a few times during the hike because the views from a distance are fantastic. It takes 40-50 minutes to reach the mountain hut. The Baita Troier Hütte offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. Take a break, have a refreshing drink or lunch, and make friends with the cute alpacas.
When you have enough rest and are ready, follow the trail to see the impressive Twin Peaks of Pieralongia. Here, you can decide to return to the cable car station or continue hiking one of the trails. Whichever you choose, the views will be spectacular.
The total hike takes 2-3 hours, depending on how many breaks you take and which trail you want to follow.
Where to Stay near Seceda?
The Seceda cable car station departs from Ortisei, so the best option is to stay there. Staying in Val Gardena can be expensive, so if you’re looking for a good base for your Seceda hike but want to stay within a low budget, we recommend staying in Bolzano, La Villa, or Val di Funes.
Best hotels in Ortisei
- Luxury: Alpin Garden Luxury Maison & SPA
- Mid-Range: Hotel Hell or Hotel Luna Mondschein
- Budget: Hotel Pontives
Best hotels in Val Gardena
- Luxury: Granbaita Dolomites
- Mid-Range: Hotel Antares
- Budget: Apartments Lores
We hope you found our guide to the Seceda Ridgeline Hike useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – Heymondo
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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Hi,
Could you also just hike from the cable car?
Thank you
Hi! Yes, you can hike up from the cable car station to Seceda. The hike will take about 2-2.5 hours.
Alternatively, you can hike up from the Cristauta Praplan parking lot! The hike takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, with better views along the path.