Seceda Hike in Val Gardena, Dolomites
The 8.9 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.
Pin it!
And while you’re there, connect with us on Pinterest! And, Instagram too!
This post links to products and services we love, which we may make a small commission from, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog!! – Sabrina and Kati
How to Get to Seceda, Val Gardena
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 2,453 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
Distance: 8.9 km
Minimum Elevation: 2033 m
Maximum Elevation: 2519 m
Total climb: 575 m
Total descent: 575 m
Trail Name/Numbers: 1, 2B, 13B, 13, 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
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.
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 (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. After you’ve passed Rifugio Pieralongia turn right at an intersection to switch to trail no. 13B / 13. It will lead you directly to Rifugio Firenze.
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.
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
After lunch, take trail no. 1 back to Seceda. The return trip should take about 1.5 hours.
Seceda Trail no. 1
Where to Stay in Ortisei, Val Gardena
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
Pin it!
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:
- Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites
- Hiking in the Dolomites in September
- Alta Badia Summer Guide
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike
- Adolf Munkel Day Hike
- Armentara Meadows Day Hike
- Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary
Hut to Hut Hikes in the Dolomites:
- Trekking Tre Cime di Lavaredo (3 days)
- Rosengarten Dolomites Traverse (3 days)
- Alta Via 1 (4 – 10 days)
More Information for Your Trip to Italy:
There are 21 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
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