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.
Seceda Hike in Val Gardena, Italy

- Starting Point: Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda Cableway Valley Station, Ortisei
- Cableways: Ortisei-Furnes (gondola) and Furnes-Seceda (aerial cable car)
- Trailhead: Seceda Cableway mountain station
- Distance: 8.9 km circuit
- Time Needed: 3:00 – 3:30 hours
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 575 meters
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
- 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: Garni Hotel Mirabel (budget), Hotel Garni Walter (midrange), Casa al Sole (bed and breakfast), or Chalet Hotel Hartmann – Adults Only (midrange)
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Seceda Hiking Map
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Get to Seceda, Val Gardena

Head to the Seceda Cableway Valley Station in Ortisei, Val Gardena
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seceda Hiking Trail Description
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.
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.

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]
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
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.
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 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.
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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Dolomites Trip Planning Essentials
Use our Dolomites Travel Guide and our Dolomites blog archive to plan an unforgettable trip to northeastern Italy.
When to Hike in the Dolomites
The best time to hike in the Dolomites is between mid-June and mid-September. Unlike other regions in the Dolomites, Alpe di Siusi and Val Gardena enjoy a longer summer season. It can start as early as end of May and end as late as early November. Read Next:
Car Rental
The easiest way to travel between hiking destinations in the Italian Dolomites is with your own car. Check out our 7-Day Dolomites Road Trip itinerary for trip inspiration.
We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.
Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.
Best Places to Stay
Figuring out where to stay in the Dolomites is probably the biggest hurdle to planning a trip to the Dolomites. We’ve created three guides to help you decide where to stay:
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer: best villages and towns in South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno
- Best Hotels in the Dolomites: best boutique and luxury hotels in the Dolomites
- Dolomites Accommodation Guide: farm stays, mountain huts, wellness hotels, aparthotels
We suggest choosing 2-4 bases for your Dolomites trip and spending 2-4 nights in each base.
- Base 1: Val Gardena – Ortisei, Santa Cristina or Selva di Val Gardena
- Base 2: Val di Funes
- Base 3: Alta Badia
- Base 4: Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Base 5: Alta Pusteria – Dobbiaco, San Candido, Sesto, Braies, Val Fiscalina
- Base 6: San Martino di Castrozza
What to See & Do
During your trip to the Dolomites, you can go via ferrata climbing, culinary hiking, hut to hut hiking, cycling, paragliding, and so much more. We’ve highlighted our favorite experiences in Best Things to Do in the Dolomites.
Wherever you decide to stay, you’ll be surrounded by glorious mountain scenery and incredible natural landmarks.
In Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites, we’ve outlined the most iconic attractions as well as lesser-known destinations across the Dolomites, including Alpe di Siusi, Lago di Braies, Prato Piazza, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Sorapis, Lago Federa, Seceda, Baita Segantini, and the Adolf Munkel Trail to Geiserlalm, and Cadini di Misurina.
Dolomites Packing List
Hiking Gear
- Day Pack: Osprey Tempest 30 Women’s Backpack / Osprey Talon 33 Men’s Backpack
- Grade B/C high-cut hiking boots: Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (Kati’s Boots), Women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (Sabrina’s Boots), Men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (men’s equivalent)
- CAT 4 Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
- Hiking Poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles
- Reusable Water Bottle: Ion Leakproof 32 oz Water Bottle
Outdoor Photography Gear
- Camera Body: Sony Alpha a6400
- Mid-range Zoom Lens: Sony Vario-Tessar 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS ZEISS
- Wide angle Zoom Lens: Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-angle Zoom Lens
- Backpack Camera Clip: Peak Design Camera Clip
Dolomites Hiking Guides
Hiking in the Dolomites is our passion. Year after year, we love discovering new trails and expanding our knowledge of the area. For day hiking, check out 25+ Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites. For trekking, take a look at our guide to Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites and Alta Via 1.
For region-specific hiking trails, check out:
- Best Hikes in Val Gardena
- Best Hikes in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Best Hikes in Alta Badia
- Sexten Dolomites Hiking Guide
Recommended Hiking Guidebook: Cicerone Guide: Shorter Walks in the Dolomites
There are 33 comments on this post
Hi, thanks for information. Is it possible to get there in the late Oct? I saw the cable will be closed after Oct 13.
Hi Rex,
Another possible ascent is with the Col Raiser Gondola in Selva di Val Gardena. But, I believe that closes in mid-October. It's possible to follow a trail under the gondola to the top station. From there, take trail no2 to the Seceda ridgeline.
Good luck!
Sabrina
Hi,
I’m planning a trip to seceda and I’m wondering that can I camping there (like in front of Fermeda peaks )?or it’s forbidden?
Dan do you have any suggestions to go there from Paris pls?
Thank you very much ?
Hi YuFu,
Camping isn't allowed. You can stay in Regensburger Hütte (Rifugio Firenze) and then hike to the Fermeda peaks for the sunrise.
Have fun!
-Sabrina
Hi, great info! Is this itinerary possible in December?
Hi Alessia,
You won't be able to hike. But, it may be possible as a ski-tour.
Hi Sabrina, I'm planning to visit Dolomites in early May around 8May-10May. Are the trails at Seceda and Tre Cime di Lavaredo open? Which hikes would you recommend if we are staying there for 3D2N?
Hi Joanne, It'll depend on how long the winter is. We went to the Dolomites this past May and it was still snowing. I'd recommend contacting the local tourist boards shortly before your trip to find out what trails are doable/open.
Good luck! Sabrina
Hi Sabrina, thanks for getting back to me. I thought May would be a better time to visit as it's a shoulder season and less crowded. Will contact the tourist office for advice. Thank you.
Hi Joanna,
i'm planning to visit Fermena Peak in 2nd November, is it possible for hiking and how long from the parking station to that spot round trip?
Me and my brother really wanna see that stunning scenery. Can you suggest accommodation as well ?
Hi Bovi,
If you're walking from the bottom of the Col Raiser Station, it'll probably take around 3 hours to ascend to Seceda (~6 km one-way / 950 m ascending).
Look for accommodation in Selva di Val Gardena. Have a great trip! - Sabrina
Hi Joanna
This hike seems lovely, We are traveling with kids and sometime find the time description doesn't meet our pace.
Can you tell what is the distance of this hike?
Hi Yaelyko,
The loop is 8.7 km. Have a great time!
Hi Sabrina!
I just want to thank you for such clear directions, but after doing the hike this week, I was taken back of the difficulty of the hike. I'm glad the rest of my family did not want to go and instead had a rest day in Bolzano because I had a difficult time on the hike. I'm not a novice and in decent physical shape, but it was definitely not an easy hike. I would say intermediate; especially for those not used to hiking in the Alps. Based off your difficulty stated as easy, I assumed I would be able to take my family on this hike as novices. They would not have made it through, especially the ascent from Regenhutte back to the gondola. The trails are easy to follow and the paths are well maintained, but the physical difficulty, if you're not used to hiking, was at least intermediate.
Hi Michelle!
Noted. Thank you for your feedback! Very happy to hear that you completed the hike, even though it was more difficult than you imagined.
-Sabrina
Hi Sabrina!
We are thinking of doing this hike in May, do you have a recommendation on what time we should start the hike if we want to see the sunrise? or is there a accommodation place up the trail?
Thank you
- Rena
Hi Rena,
The Ortisei - Furnes - Seceda cableways start operating on May 29, 2020. If you want to reach the Seceda ridgeline before May 29th, it'll take at least 3 hours to get up there from the valley. You will also likely encounter lots of snow on the trail, so make sure to be prepared for all types of snow/ice conditions.
All the best,
Sabrina
We will be going in mid-September and plan to hike up and take the cable car back down. After reading multiple articles, would you say the "prettiest" hike up is from Col Raiser station? We are staying at Hotel Angelo but are fine with driving to get to a better hike location. Are we allowed to park and start the hike before the cable car opens for the day (8 or 830)? And is it possible to just purchase a decent (although thinking of just buying the pass). Thanks!
Hi Brittni,
If you're staying in Ortisei, I don't think there's any good reason to drive to Col Raiser (unless you want to hike to Col dala Pieres). If you follow this circuit hike to Rifugio Firenze, as described here, you'll have wonderful views the whole way. And you'll see the Seceda ridge at the beginning and end of your hike.
-Sabrina
Hello!
Thank you so much for the detailed articles. I am going to the Dolomites in 2 weeks and I used your 7 day itinerary as a reference for my trip.
This is a dream for me.
Is it possible to drive up to the Seceda station from Ortisei and park there? I don't want to pay the 34 EUR on the cable ticket if I don't have to. I'm not sure if you stated in the article if this is possible!
Hi Alexandra,
Glad to hear it!
You can't drive to Seceda. The only alternative is to walk from the valley.
I'm just here to say that this hike is NOT easy! The hike to the Rifugio is easy, but hiking back up that dang STEEP hill for about 2.5/3miles is nothing but easy. I surely wasn't expecting that much of steep climb based off this blog. So, if you do this hike... expect a hard climb back up.
Hi Courtney!
Thanks for the feedback!
Congrats on finishing the hike,
Sabrina
Hi Sabrina,
Very nice to read your blog. I have a business trip to Europe in the middle of November so to take this chance, we are planning to hike Seceda on Nov.20. It's absolutely not the right time, but I have no choice. Take a chance !
2 questions:
1. I will have my wife and my 6yrs old son with me, because there is no cable car, where is the last parking spot I can find before hiking ? Any chance to drive up to a rifugio or hut ?
2. Which hiking route is with best view for photos ? I am a photographer.
Thanks a lot !
Gordon Hu
Hi Gordon,
If there's a lot of snow, it's probably not advisable to hike to Seceda in late November.
We hiked to Seceda without a cable car from Cristauta/Praplan Parking Lot above Santa Cristina. Read this post: Seceda and Monte Pic day hike. Otherwise, some people hike from the Col Raiser gondola valley station.
Good Luck,
Sabrina
I have been researching the Seceda Ridgeline area for an adult family hike. Most of the information suggests taking the cable and gondola to Seceda and proceed from there to Refugio Firenze where we plan to overnight. One article I read claimed that the Sededa route from Ortisei was not very scenic. He preferred leaving Cristina and taking the cable up to Col Raiser and hike from there. Can you helped me decide?
Hi Jane,
The hike from Seceda to Rifugio Firenze via Pieralongia Alm is very scenic. However, it's only 1:20 hours (4.4 km one-way), which is quite short. I would expand on the hike. For example, you could hike to Rifugio Firenze and then summit Col da la Pieres, before ending your day at the hut.
All the best,
Sabrina
Hello Sabrina,
Love your website so much! Thank you for all the details just a question to ask as it seems that the hike back from the Rifugio to the mountain station seems to be a bit tough - how long will the hike be if we finished at Pieralongia and return the same way we came?
Hi Peijet,
Thank you!!!
The hike from Rifugio Firenze to Seceda is neither technical, nor difficult, but is it uphill (500 meters). I would encourage you to do it (with breaks), unless that sounds like too much. The hike from Seceda to Pieralongia is probably 40 minutes one-way (2.1 km one-way), so only 1:20 hrs total.
-Sabrina
Another wonderful recommendation from you wonderful ladies. We did this yesterday and it was amazing. 360 views like Tre Cime the whole time! This was definitely the hardest hike we did because of the long ascent at the end. If you don't normally hike, it will be crazy difficult for you. But otherwise just take your time, stop at the huts and enjoy the views. Or consider taking the fermeda chair lift back up to Seceda if you don't want to do the climb.
Hi Laura,
So glad you enjoyed this Seceda hike!
-Sabrina
How would you route the hike from the top of Seceda Cable Car to the finish at top of Col Raiser Cableway? (trying to make the hike shorter and easier) Distance? Uphill elevation? Then take Col Raiser Cableway back down. Can we get a bus to take us back to Seceda cableway to our parked car in the 3rd week of June?
Hi Scott,
If you hike Seceda-Pieralongia Alm-Rifugio Firenze-Col Raiser mountain station, it would be 1:45 - 2 hours, 5.6 km point-to-point, and 430 meters descending/62 meters ascending.
From col raiser valley station, you can take a bus to Santa Cristina and Ortisei (perhaps 2 buses in total). It's possible, yes.
-Sabrina