Seceda Hike in Val Gardena, Dolomites

 

The 8.7 km loop hike from the mountain summit station Seceda to the mountain hut Regensburger Hütte (Rifugio Firenze) is a gorgeous and surprisingly easy day hike in the Puez Odle Nature Park (Naturpark Puez-Geisler). The hike begins with a cableway ascent to Seceda mountain station from the town St. Ulrich (Ortisei) in Val Gardena. At the mountain summit, there’s a magnificent view of the dagger-like Fermeda peaks and Gran Odla. But, the beauty doesn’t stop there.

In this post, we’re going to tell you how to get to Seceda, where to hike, and where to stay in St. Ulrich (Ortisei). 

How Difficult is this Seceda Hike?

We’ve received a few messages from readers that this hike was harder than they expected. 

If you’re in good physical condition and you hike regularly in the mountains (at higher elevations), this hike is easy. It actually doesn’t get easier than this from a technical perspective. If you don’t hike regularly in alpine environments, this hike may be more difficult for you, because of elevation gain/loss. 

Heading to the Dolomites? Read our Dolomites Travel Guide, to find out where to go, what to experience and what to eat.

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How to Get to Seceda, Val Gardena

Seceda Cableway Map, Val Gardena - How to Get to Seceda, Dolomites

To reach the mountain station Seceda, you need to go to the town of St. Ulrich (Ortisei) in Val Gardena.

To begin this hike, take the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda Aerial Cableways from St. Ulrich (Ortisei) to the mountain station Seceda, elevation 2,518 meters. If you’re arriving by car, you can park in the parking garage near the station, which costs 8 EUR/day.

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 (34 EUR/person) to Seceda. At Furnes, you’ll disembark a gondola and walk a few meters to embark on the Furnes-Seceda cableway to Seceda top station. 

Seceda summer cableway schedule: June 13, 2020 – October 11, 2020: daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Seceda cableway Address: Str. Val d’Anna, 2, Ortisei

 

Hiking to Seceda in mid/late October

For those that hope to reach Seceda in mid to late October when the cableway is closed, you could 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 3.5 hours one-way. Follow trail 1, 1a, and 2.  

 

Visiting Seceda in Summer 2020

The Ortisei – Furnes cableway and the Furnes – Seceda cable car will operate from June 13, until October 11, 2020: 8:30 am until 5:30 pm. More information here. 

Seceda to Regensburger Hütte Trail Map

Seceda to Regensburger Hütte Trail Map, Val Gardena Day Hike, Dolomites

Distance: 8.7 km

Trail Name/Numbers: 1, 2B, 1

Nature Park: Puez Odle Nature Park

Italian Province: South Tyrol

Starting Point: Seceda Mountain Station

Ending Point: Seceda Mountain Station

Points of Interest: Geisler Peaks, Regensburger Hütte

Parking: There’s a parking area close to the cableway/gondola station in St. Ulrich (Ortisei)

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Seceda Hike Step by Step

Seceda, Fermeda Peaks, Val Gardena Day Hike - Seceda Loop Trail

Fermeda peaks

After arriving at the Seceda summit station, head towards the beautiful Fermeda peaks (Pitla Fermeda, Grana Fermeda, Gran Odla) along trail no. 1. It’s an easy flat trail. 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. 

After about 25 minutes, you’ll see several trail signs. Take trail no. 2B in the direction of Regensburgerhütte (Rifugio Firenze). It takes 50 minutes to get to the mountain hut. 

Pieralongia, Val Gardena, Dolomites - Hike from Seceda to Regensburger Hütte

Twin Spires of Pieralongia

But first, the hike cuts through Pieralongia. Marked by twin spires, this striking landscape is mind-blowing. Here, you’ll find a rustic mountain hut situated among dolomite boulders, which serves light snacks and refreshments. 

Rifugio Pieralongia, Val Gardena, Dolomites - Hiking from Seceda to Regensburger Hütte

Rifugio Pieralongia (Mountain Hut)

Next, the trail winds across Cisles Alm (Alpe di Cisles), a meadow with stunning views of the Geisler (Odle) Group and uncountable peaks. 

Geisler (Odle) Group, Regensburger Hütte, Dolomites - Seceda Loop Trail

Geisler (Odle) Group

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

Geisler (Odle) Group, Regensburger Mountain Hut, Dolomites - Seceda Loop Trail

Regensburger Hütte

Regensburger Hütte (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] 

Geisler (Odle) Group, Regensburger Hütte Horses, Dolomites - Seceda loop trail

Geisler (Odle) Group

After lunch, take trail no. 1 back to Seceda. The return trip should take about 1.5 hours.

Trail no. 1, Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomites - Seceda Loop Trail

Seceda Trail no. 1

Where to Stay in Ortisei, Val Gardena

Geisler peaks, Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomites Loop Trail

Geisler peaks, Seceda

Since the cableway to Seceda is located in St. Ulrich (Ortisei), the best base for hiking to Seceda is the town of St. Ulrich (Ortisei) in the Val Gardena Dolomites.

Budget | Appartmenthotel Residence Elvis is a fully-equipped apartment 1 km from Ortisei, which you can book for one night. 

Mid-Range | Chalet Hotel Hartmann (Adults Only) is an excellent hotel featuring cozy alpine interiors, a delicious breakfast buffet (included in rate), and a spa area (bio-sauna, a Turkish bath, and a solarium).

Luxury | Charmehotel Uhrerhof – Deur (2-Nights Minimum) occupies a peaceful location high above the valley. It’s a 10-minute drive from the hotel to the town center of Ortisei, but the pay off is a respite and incredible mountain views. Breakfast and dinner included. 

We also like Alpenhotel Rainell and  Garni August, but there’s a minimum stay of 3 nights in both hotels during high season.

Look for accommodation in Ortisei.

If you can’t find accommodation in St. Ulrich, you can also stay in Santa Cristina or Selva di Val Gardena, which are two other towns in Val Gardena. If you stay in Santa Cristina or Selva, you can also take the Col Raiser cable car up, and start the hike from there. 

Read Next: Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer

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And while you’re there, connect with us on Pinterest! And, Instagram too!

Learn more about hiking in Val Gardena: 

More Information for Your Trip to the Dolomites:

Hut to Hut Hikes in the Dolomites:

More Information for Your Trip to Italy: