Seceda is a mountain in the Odle/Geisler Group situated within Puez-Odle Nature Park in South Tyrol in Northern Italy.

The summit of Seceda (2518 meters) is a dearly loved destination in the Dolomites because of its unbeatable view of the Odle/Geisler Peaks.

Atop Mount Seceda, the Odle peaks look like a Swiss army knife, eternally destined to slash the sky. It’s one of the most memorable mountain views in the Italian Dolomites.

The easiest and fastest way to get to Seceda is to ascend with the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda Cableways from Ortisei in Val Gardena. This year, the Seceda cableways operated between May 27th and November 5th between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm.

From the Seceda mountain station, it’s a mere 10-minute walk to the summit lookout point. From here, you can continue hiking along the Seceda ridgeline towards the Odle Peaks. 

The spectacular Seceda ridge is just the beginning of a highly-satiating circuit trail to Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte. In this trail guide, we’re going to outline the details of this easy-moderate day hike. 

If you’re looking for a more challenging ascent route to Seceda, also check out this Resciesa/Raschötz Plateau to Seceda day hike. And, if you’re determined to hike to Seceda without a cable car, read this Monte Pic and Seceda trail guide.

Seceda Hike in the Val Gardena Dolomites

• Starting Point: Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda Cableway Valley Station, Ortisei | Google Maps
• Cableways: Ortisei-Furnes (gondola) and Furnes-Seceda (aerial cable car)
• Trailhead: Seceda Cableway mountain station
• Distance: 8.9 km circuit
• Time Needed: 3:15 hours without breaks
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 524 meters
• Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
• Minimum Elevation: 2038 meters
• Maximum Elevation: 2518 meters
• Trails: 6, 1, 2B, 13B, 13, 1
• Route: Seceda Mountain Station (2500 m) – Seceda Panorama Point (2518 m) – Furcella de Pana/Pana-scharte (2439 m) – Pieralongia (2297 m) – Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte (2037 m)  – Lech da Iman (2225 m) – Baita Troier (2250 m) –  Seceda Mountain Station (2500 m)
• Where to Stay in Ortisei: Hotel Garni Walter (midrange), Casa al Sole (bed and breakfast), Chalet Hotel Hartmann – Adults Only (midrange), Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof (luxury), or Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti (luxury)

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Seceda Hiking Map

When to Hike to Seceda, Dolomites

It’s possible to hike to Seceda from late May until early November.

The best time to hike to Seceda is between June and mid/late October, when the trail is usually clear of snow.

Our favorite time to visit is in Autumn (mid September – late October), when there are less people, but the weather is still stable.

You can monitor the conditions atop Seceda by looking at this Seceda webcam. 

Hiking Seceda in May 2024

If you’re visiting the Dolomites in May, before the Seceda cableways are operating, you can hike up to Seceda from Val Gardena.

We recommend starting the Seceda hike at the Praplan car park above Santa Cristina. Follow this Monte Pic and Seceda trail guide.

If you’re attempting this hike in early-mid May, please ask the Val Gardena tourist office about current trail conditions. If there’s a lot of snow, it may not be safe to hike to Seceda.

Another option is to park at the Col Raiser gondola valley station car park in Selva in Val Gardena. 

From the Col Raiser valley station, it’s a 6 km hike to the Seceda ridgeline. It will take 3 hours at least to climb 984 meters up to Seceda. Follow trail 1 and later 1A to get to the Seceda Peak.

Hiking Seceda in Summer and Fall 2024

Generally, the Seceda cableways operate between late May and early November. The operating hours are 8:30 am until 5:30 pm.

Visiting Seceda in Winter: January – Early April

In winter, the Seceda Alm is used as a ski slope. From the summit, you can ski down to Ortisei, or Santa Cristina.

The Seceda ski area is part of the the Seceda-Col Raiser-Rasciesa skiing consortium.

Seceda winter pricing here.

How to Get to Seceda, Val Gardena

Step 1: Head to the Seceda Cableway Valley Station in Ortisei, Val Gardena

Walking Directions 

If you’re arriving in Ortisei/St. Ulrich by bus, get off at Piazza S. Antonio/Antoniusplatz in the village center.

It takes about 5 minutes to walk from the center of Ortisei to the Seceda cableway, using the La Curta pedestrian connection. 

From Antonio Square, look for a sign to “Seceda.” Head down the small street between Sparkasse Ortisei Bank and Calzature Rabanser Di Senoner Emilia shoe store.

Take the covered “La Curta” escalator up. After the escalator, locate the pedestrian tunnel straight ahead with a conveyor belt walkway.

When you reach the end of the tunnel, you’ll arrive at the Seceda cableway valley station. 

Driving and Parking Directions 

You can drive directly to the Seceda cableway valley station, which is located on Via Val d’Anna 2, I-39046 Ortisei, Val Gardena, South Tyrol. Exact Location: Google Maps.

There’s a paid parking garage directly at the valley station with a capacity of 250 spaces. 

The parking fee is 1.90 EUR per hour with a daily maximum of 13 EUR.

At night, the price is 0.50 EUR per hour with a maximum fee of 19 EUR for 24 hours.

Step 2: Purchase a Round-Trip Ticket to Seceda

To get to Seceda, you have to take the Ortisei-Furnes gondola followed by the Furnes-Seceda cable car. 

When you purchase your cableway ticket, you’ll be asked whether you want to go to Furnes (middle station) or Seceda (top station). Purchase a round-trip ticket to Seceda.

Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda Cableway Pricing

Adults (ages 16+) | 39.50 EUR round-trip

Juniors (ages 8 – 15) | 21 EUR round-trip

Children (ages 0 – 7) | Free

Dogs | 5 EUR

If you want to hike to Seceda without a cable car, we recommend this ascent route.

Step 3: Ascend to the Seceda Mountain Station (2 Cableways)

Hop on the Ortisei-Furnes gondola to the Furnes middle station.

At Furnes, disembark the gondola and walk a few meters to the Furnes-Seceda cableway station. Hop on the Furnes-Seceda aerial cable car to the Seceda mountain station. 

Seceda Hiking Trail Description

Seceda Mountain Station to Seceda Summit / Photo Spot (10 minutes)

When you disembark the Seceda cableway mountain station, you will immediately see the slanted and formidable Odle/Geisler peaks.

The panoramic view extends to the Puez Group, including Piz Duleda (2909 m), Col dala Pieres (2747 m), and Monte de Stevia (2500 m), as well as the Sella Group and Sassolungo Group.

Follow the sign to the Seceda summit and photo spot.

It takes no more than 10 minutes to walk up to Mount Seceda (2518 meters), crowned by a cross and a circular, metal diorama indicating the names and elevations of prominent peaks in the Italian Alps and Austrian Alps that are visible from this vantage point.

Looking north, you can see the mountain pastures of Val di Funes and the Odles d’Eores/Aferer Geisler mountains. For context, the trail directly to the north of Seceda, at the base of the Odle/Geisler mountains, is the famous Adolf Munkel Trail.

Near the summit, a narrow, semi-exposed path leads to another interesting viewpoint, located at a slightly lower elevation.

Hiking here is completely optional. Only hike to this Seceda photo spot if you have no fear of heights and the conditions are dry.

Seceda Summit to Pieralongia (40 minutes)

Follow the Seceda ridge towards the jagged Fermeda peaks: Pitla Fermeda, Grana Fermeda, and Gran Odla. 

A segment of the Seceda ridge is gated off for your safety. Please do not bypass the gate for a photo. 

The ridge footpath descends and joins trail 6.

Continue along trail 6 across the grassy Seceda Alp to Forcella Pana (Furcella de Pana in Ladin, Panascharte in German), a dizzying narrow saddle located at 2439 meters.

The Pana saddle links Val di Funes with Val Gardena, but it’s currently closed due to a rockfall. For the purpose of this hike, you can safely ignore that vertiginous path, which plummets to the north.

At the Forcella Pana junction, turn right and descend trail 1 in the direction of the Troier Hut, signed “Trojer Hütte – Baita Trojer.”

This enchanting path, flanked by a wooden railing, passes a few hay huts.

At the next junction, turn left onto trail 2B in the direction of Pieralongia Hütte. The right path continues to Baita Troier.

This stretch of the Seceda hike traverses a mountain pasture, which is grazed in summer. Keep a respectful distance from the animals and do not in any way disturb them.

At the Pieralongia mountain pasture, you’ll find a rustic mountain hut, situated amid dolomite boulders. This managed hut serves light snacks and refreshments. 

Just beyond the hut, there are twin spires, thrusting in opposite directions.

Pieralongia actually means “long rock” in Ladin.

Pieralongia to Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte (40 minutes)

Pass the rustic Pieralongia hut and continue straight on 2B for another 15 minutes (750 meters).

Beneath the Fermeda towers, the trail effortlessly cuts across boulder-studded meadows towards Mont de Stevia.

At the next intersection, turn right onto trail 13B to Rifugio Firenze. 

After about 10 minutes, continue descending on the well-groomed trail 13. The path crosses wide-open meadows, peppered with Swiss Pine, all the way down to the Firenze mountain hut (20 minutes).

In summer, Haflinger horses and cows wander about freely.

Located beneath the imposing wall of Mount Stevia, Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte in German, Utia de Ncisles) enjoys a dramatic setting at the edge of Puez-Odle Nature Park at 2040 meters.

Regensburger Hütte was built in 1888 and was one of the first mountain huts in Val Gardena.

It was originally managed by the German-Austrian Alpine Club (DÖAV). However, after the First World War and the annexation of South Tyrol, the administration of the refuge was transfered to the Italian Alpine Club (CAI). In 2010, the hut was entrusted to the Autunomous Province of Bolzano (South Tyrol), which still owns it.

The hut terrace takes in the full sweep of the Odle Group along with the Sassolungo Group. You can eat lunch in Rifugio Firenze anytime between 11:30 am until 3 pm.

Typically, Rifugio Firenze is open from June 1st until October 15th.

Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte to Seceda Mountain Station (1:20 – 1:30 hours)

To complete the circuit trail, follow trail 1 all the way back to Seceda. This part of the hike is continuously uphill. 

Shortly after passing Lech da Iman, you’ll arrive at Baita Troier, an alpine pasture hut with a small enclosure of goats (1 hour).

This is another place you can eat along the Seceda hiking trail. Historically, the Troier hut was a cooking hut for alpine farming. Today, it’s a bustling restaurant, open in summer and winter.

Continue ascending along trail 1 back to the Seceda mountain station. 

Seceda Dolomites Frequently Asked Questions

How Difficult is this Seceda Hike?

This is an easy-moderate day hike. The difficulty will depend on how acclimated you are to higher elevations, the weather conditions, and your hiking experience. 

There is no technical difficulty along this trail. However, it does involve 524 meters of elevation gain/loss. The gentle descent to Rifugio Firenze will likely be quite effortless, but the ascent back to the Seceda mountain station might come as a surprise. 

After rain, or snow, the terrain can get very slippery. Though hiking poles are not a necessity, they will help stabilize you, if you’re hiking in mud. 

Can You Drive to Seceda?

No, it’s not possible to drive to Seceda. Seceda is only accessible by cableway from Ortisei, or by foot.

Can You Camp at Seceda?

Seceda is located within Puez-Odle Nature Park, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Camping is strictly forbidden at Seceda, or anywhere in the area.

If you want to overnight in the mountains, consider staying in Rifugio Fermeda.

Can You Hike Seceda in October?

Yes, you can hike to Seceda the whole month of October. The Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cableways usually operate the entire month of October.

Can You Hike to Seceda Without a Cable Car?

Yes, you can hike to Seceda without a cable car. The best option is to start the hike at the Praplan car park above Santa Cristina in Val Gardena. From Praplan, follow signs to Baita Gamsblut, Rifugio Fermeda, and Baita Daniel.

This 5.8 km hike takes 2:35 hours one-way. The total elevation gain is 716 meters. We recommend descending back to Praplan car park via Monte Pic. Follow this Monte Pic and Seceda trail guide.

How Long is the Seceda Hike?

This Seceda hike is 3 hours and 10 minutes without breaks.

How Long Does It Take to Visit Seceda?

Allow at least 4 hours to visit Seceda. It’s possible to shorten your visit, by simply walking from the Seceda mountain station to the Seceda summit (20 minutes out-and-back), but you would miss on some grand landscapes and one of the best day hikes in the Dolomites.

What is the Best Way to Hike to Seceda?

The best Seceda hike begins at the Seceda mountain station, accessible by two cableways from Ortisei. From the Seceda station, it’s a 10 minute walk to the Seceda summit.

The Seceda trail continues along the ridge to Forcella Pana and onwards to the Pieralongia mountain pasture. Descend to Rifugio Firenze and then start the return route back to Mount Seceda.

We think it’s better to start this circuit trail at the Seceda mountain station, as opposed to the Col Raiser mountain station, because it gives you two opportunities to see the Seceda ridge.

Is Seceda Worth It?

Seceda is absolutely worth visiting. Seceda offers one of the most striking vantage points of the iconic Geisler Peaks. In our opinion, a trip to the Dolomites is not complete without hiking Seceda.

Where to Stay in Ortisei

Budget Accommodations

Budget | B&B Lavi Ortisei val Gardena is a clean and comfortable bed and breakfast managed by a very friendly host. The B&B is situated outside of the town center, though within walking distance (~15 minutes). 

Midrange Accommodations

Midrange | Casa al Sole is a newly renovated bed and breakfast in the center of Ortisei, only a short walk from the Seceda cableway and the Resciesa funicular. Highlights of staying here include the modern minimal interiors, comfortable bedrooms, warm hospitality, and delicious and plentiful breakfast. At Casa al Sole, Alexandra and Manuel host with great care and enthusiasm, and are always available to offer advice and help make dinner reservations.

Midrange | Chalet Hotel Hartmann is a charming adults-only hotel featuring tastefully furnished alpine interiors, a delicious breakfast buffet, a complimentary afternoon snack, and a spa area (bio-sauna, steam bath and solarium). This is an ideal accommodation for couples and anyone traveling without children. It’s a 20-minute walk to reach the town center.

Midrange | Hotel Garni Walter is a top-rated, family-run accommodation in Ortisei. Guests love the generous breakfast buffet, the views, the location, and the overall cleanliness. It’s a 5-minute walk to the Ortisei village center. 

Luxury Accommodations

Luxury | Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof is a 5-star hotel in the heart of Ortisei, home to the Michelin star Ann Stuben gourmet restaurant. This wellness hotel offers unparalleled spa facilities, flawless service, guided hikes and mountain bike tours, and a weekly fitness program. Guests are treated to a welcome cocktail, generous breakfast buffet, and afternoon cakes and snacks (3 – 5 pm). 

Luxury | Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti is a stunning property surrounded by private grounds, advantageously located in the pedestrian zone of Ortisei. This 5-star hotel offers outstanding service, first-rate spa complex, beautiful rooms, and an on-site restaurant (half board available). 3-7 nights minimum stay. 

Luxury | Hotel Angelo Engel is situated directly in the village center of Ortisei, walking distance to the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cableway. We loved the central location, the courteous staff, the wellness and sauna area, and our spacious room.

Luxury | Perched high above Ortisei, the newly-renovated La Cort My Dollhouse – Adults Only hotel offers 26 stylish rooms, a rooftop spa and pool, and fabulous views. Given its location, we only recommend staying here if you’re traveling by car. La Cort is a great choice for travelers who want more flexibility during their visit (no rigid eating times, etc..). Breakfast (7:30 am – 11 am) and Linner (4 pm – 7 pm) are included in the rate.

Luxury Apartments | Gran Tubla offers two-bedroom apartments with fully-equipped kitchens and sweeping views of Val Gardena. Guests also have access to a heated indoor-outdoor pool, sauna, and garden. Breakfast can be delivered to your room upon request.

Look for accommodation in Ortisei.

Hiking Seceda Responsibly

While visiting Seceda and hiking this circuit trail, you’ll be in the Puez-Odle Nature Park. There are no fees or permits needed to enter this protected area. During your visit, please adhere to the following rules:

1. Stay on marked trails.

2. Wild camping is strictly prohibited.

3. Avoid making loud noises.

4. Do not litter.

5. Do not take anything (mushrooms, plants, minerals).

6. Dot not light fires. No campfires, no grills. No cigarettes.

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More Things to Do around Val Gardena

Hiking Trails:

• Best Hikes in Val Gardena
• Rifugio Stevia and Col dala Pieres Day Hike
• Monte Pic
• Val de Chedul – Vallunga Valley Circuit
• Piz Duleda Peak Hike
• Sassolungo Circuit Trail
• Alpe di Siusi to Monte Pana
• Alpe di Siusi Meadows Circuit Trail

Via Ferratas:

• Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster
• Gran Cir

Places to Visit:

• Alpe di Siusi
• Val di Funes
• Santa Maddalena Panorama Trail
• Alta Badia

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