Seceda is a mountain in the Odle/Geisler Group situated within the Puez-Odle Nature Park in South Tyrol, 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 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. From the cableway mountain station, it’s a mere 10-minute walk to the summit lookout point. From here, you can continue 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 post, 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.

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Seceda Hike in Val Gardena, Italy

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Seceda Hiking Map

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When to Hike to Seceda, Italy

Early/mid-June until mid/late-October, depending on snow conditions.

The fastest approach to Seceda is with the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cableways. In the summer season, these cableways generally operate from early-June until late-October.  You can find the exact dates on the Seceda Cableways website. 

The best time to hike to Seceda is in September, or in early October, when there are less people, but the weather is still stable. Avoid August if possible. 

If you want to monitor the conditions atop Seceda, here’s the Seceda webcam. 

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Hiking to Seceda in mid/late October without a Cable Car 

If you’re visiting Seceda in mid-late October, when the cableways are no longer operating, you can hike to Seceda from the Praplan car park, above Santa Cristina, another village in Val Gardena. This is our favorite ascent route to Seceda without a cable car. You can read about it here: Seceda and Monte Pic Hike.

Another option is to park at the Col Raiser gondola station parking lot in Selva, Val Gardena. Col Raiser Address: Str. Raiser 65, 39048 Selva Val Gardena. From the parking lot, it’s a 6 km hike (950 m ascent) to the Seceda ridgeline. That will likely take you around 3:30 hours one-way. Follow trail 1, 1a, and 2.  

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Visiting Seceda in Summer 2023

The Ortisei – Furnes cableway and the Furnes – Seceda cable car usually operate from end of May until late-October/early November.

The summer 2023 Seceda cableways operating dates have not been published yet.

Find out the exact dates here: Seceda opening times and pricing. 

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Visiting Seceda in Winter (January – Mid-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.

Winter pricing here.

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How to Get to Seceda, Val Gardena

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

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Walking Directions 

If you’re arriving in Ortisei/St. Ulrich by bus, you’ll 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’ve arrive at the Seceda cableway valley station. 

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Driving and Parking Directions 

You can drive directly to the Seceda cableway valley station.

Here’s the address:
Seceda Cableways
Via Val d’Anna 2
I-39046 Ortisei, Val Gardena, South Tyrol.

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

Parking costs 8 EUR/day. 

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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. As of 2021, the Seceda cableway ticket costs:

• Adults (ages 16+): 35 EUR round-trip
• Juniors (ages 8 – 15): 17.50 EUR round-trip
• Children (ages 0 – 7): Free

If you don’t want to pay for the cableway, you can still hike to Seceda. We recommend this ascent route.

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Ascend to the Seceda Mountain Station (2 cableways)

At Furnes, you’ll disembark the gondola and walk a few meters to hop on the Furnes-Seceda cableway to the Seceda top station. 

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Seceda Hiking Trail Description

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Seceda Mountain Station to Seceda Lookout Point (10 minutes)

When you disembark the Seceda cableway mountain station, follow signs to the lookout point. It takes no more than 10 minutes to hike up to the panorama point, marked by a cross and a circular board indicating the most prominent visible peaks in the Italian and Austrian Alps. 

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Seceda Lookout Point to Pieralongia (40 minutes)

Following the ridge, continue towards the jagged Fermeda peaks (Pitla Fermeda, Grana Fermeda, Gran Odla). 

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

The footpath descends and joins trail 6. Follow this trail across the Seceda Alp to the Furcella de Pana/Panascharte (2439 m), a dizzying notch, which leads to Val di Funes. 

When we began our hike in the late morning, we could only see part of the peaks, because of the lingering fog. By the time we finished the hike, the fog had cleared, revealing the rocky belly of the slanted pinnacles. 

At the Panascharte intersection, turn right and head downhill on trail 1 in the direction of Trojer Hütte/Baita Trojer, spelled “Troier” in hiking maps. 

At the next intersection, turn left onto trail 2B towards Pieralongia Hütte. The right path continues to Baita Troier.

Marked by twin spires, the striking landscape at Pieralongia is a captivating sight to behold. Here, you’ll find a rustic mountain hut, situated among dolomite boulders, which serves light snacks and refreshments. 

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Pieralongia to Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte (40 minutes)

After passing the rustic hut at Pieralongia, continue straight on 2B for another 10-15 minutes (780 meters). When you reach an intersection, turn right onto trail 13B to Rifugio Firenze. 

After another 7-10 minutes, continue on trail 13 and keep descending all the way to the Firenze mountain hut. 

Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte is more than just a place for lunch. It’s an oasis with panoramic views of the Odle/Geisler peaks, Muntejela, Mont de Stevia, and Sassolungo/Langkofel. During the summer season, the rifugio is surrounded by grazing horses and cows. 

Rifugio Firenze also accommodates overnight hikers. If you’re interested in staying the night, we recommend booking in advance. Here’s the hut’s contact information: Fam. Perathoner 39047 St. Christina – Tel: +39 0471 796307 [email protected] 

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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. 

After about 40-50 minutes, you’ll arrive at Baita Troier, an alpine pasture hut with a small enclosure of goats. 

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

Read Next: Best Day Hikes in Val Gardena

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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. 

Technically, the hike is easy. However, it does involve 575 meters of ascending/descending. The gentle descent will likely be easy, but the ascent 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. 

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Where to Stay in Ortisei

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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). 

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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. 

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Luxury Accommodations

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.

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.

Look for accommodation in Ortisei.

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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:

• Stay on marked trails.
• Wild camping is strictly prohibited. If you want to experience Seceda at sunrise, it’s best to stay the night in Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte or Rifugio Fermeda, and then hike up to the summit in the morning. 
• Avoid making loud noises.
• Do not litter.
• Do not take anything (mushrooms, plants, minerals).
• Dot not light fires. No campfires, no grills. No cigarettes.

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