Somewhere above the valleys of Val Gardena, the earth fractures into a blade of stone. One sharp, wild breath — and you’re standing on the edge of the world. Hiking Seceda is one of the greatest adventures you’ll have in the Dolomites. Here’s how to do it right.
Update: April 2025

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If you’re chasing the kind of Dolomites hike that doesn’t just show you the view but hits you right in the chest, Seceda is it.

Seceda isn’t the longest hike in the Dolomites. It’s not the hardest.

Soaring to 8,200 feet above the nearby villages, it might just be the most ridiculous, the most cinematic, the most “holy-shit-I-can’t-believe-this-is-real” kind of place you’ll ever stand.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to make the most of it — whether you want an easy stroll to the summit, an all-day adventure through high alpine pastures, or a secret detour where the mountains feel like they belong only to you.

Because Seceda isn’t just a place.
It’s an experience.
And it’s about to blow your mind.
Here’s my no-bullshit guide to hiking Seceda like a pro — best routes, when to go, where to stay, and how to plan a day you’ll be replaying in your head long after you’ve left.

The features in this post were hand-selected by an obsessive travel nerd with strong opinions who doesn’t gatekeep good shit (hi, that’s me). Some of them are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work and the occasional wine along the way – Cat.

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Why Hike Seceda?

There are hundreds of beautiful hikes in the Dolomites.
But Seceda isn’t just beautiful.
It’s unreal. Dramatic. Cinematic in a way photos can’t fully convey and words can only hope to explain.

One moment you’re wandering through gentle alpine pastures; the next you’re standing at a ridgeline so sharp it looks like a sheer drop off the edge of the world.
On clear days, the peaks stretch forever, stitched against the sky. On misty ones, clouds claw at the crags and turn the whole scene into something straight out of a fantasy novel.

Best of all? You get to choose your own adventure.
Whether you want an easy stroll, a full-day loop, or a secret detour where you’ll barely see another soul, hiking Seceda delivers.

And it delivers in a way you’ll be replaying in your head long after you’re home, digging out the photos just to prove you didn’t dream it.

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Hiking Seceda: Choose Your Own Adventure

There’s no one “right way” to hike Seceda — which is exactly why it’s so special.
You can go all-in for a full-day loop. You can take it easy with a mostly downhill ramble.
Or you can throw the cable cars out the window and hike up from the valley floor like a total legend.

⤷ Need help picking the right hike? Don’t worry — I’ll break them all down below.

Want to hike Seceda the old-fashioned way — no cable cars, no shortcuts, just you and the mountains?
If you’re dreaming of a sunrise summit, planning a shoulder-season adventure, or just want to earn every damn view, I’ve got you.
⤷ [Coming soon – my full guide to hiking Seceda without the cable cars] for the best routes, trail tips, and everything you need to know before you go.

One-way Seceda Route: Ortisei to Santa Cristina (Easy Option)

START | Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cable car
END | Col Raiser cable car (Santa Cristina)
DISTANCE | 5 km
TIME | 2-2.5 hours
ELEVATION | + 100m / – 450m
DIFFICULTY | Easy

If you want the epic Seceda summit without busting a lung (or your knees), this is your move.
A cable car up, a glorious walk along the ridgeline, a cable car down — and memories that will body-check your Instagram feed for the next year.

How This Hike Works

Start your adventure by riding the Ortisei–Furnes–Seceda cable car combo up to the summit (see transport section for the details).
At the top, follow Path 1 and signs for Seceda — you’re aiming for the summit cross, perched like a tiny exclamation mark on the edge of the earth.

It’s a short, steady climb to reach it — and then suddenly, boom:
That view.
The iconic razorback ridgeline carving into the sky, mountains sprawling beyond it in layers like an endless dream.

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Once you’ve picked your jaw up off the floor, keep hiking along Path 1.
You’ll pass by the Troier Hut (worthy of a pit stop for a snack or sneaky Hugo Spritz).
After Troier, keep going toward Rifugio Firenze (Regensburgerhütte), one of the oldest and most atmospheric huts in the Dolomites.

At Firenze, swing right onto Path 2, then quickly hook left onto Path 4 — this easy trail leads you to the top station of the Col Raiser cable car.

Hop on, float your way down to Santa Cristina, hop a bus back to Ortisei if needed (details below), and immediately start trying to figure out how to frame the photo you just took without crying a little bit about it.

Cable Cars & Transport Details

CABLE CAR FROM ORTISEI

CABLE CAR FROM SANTA CRISTINA

BUS INFORMATION

Cost: €2 single, free with Val Gardena Mobil Card.

CAT’S TIP | Planning a sunset hike? Double-check bus times so you don’t end up hitchhiking with a confused Italian Nonna.

Circular Seceda Hiking Route: Santa Cristina Loop (Full-Day Option)

START/END | Col Raiser cable car (Santa Cristina)
DISTANCE | 13 km
TIME | 3 hours
ELEVATION | ± 575m
DIFFICULTY | Easy – Moderate

How This Hike Works

Catch the Col Raiser cable car up from Santa Cristina (transport info above).
At the top, take a moment. It’s pure Dolomites magic up here — rolling meadows giving way to savage peaks — and it’s about to get even better.

Follow the signs toward Fermeda/Seceda.
The first 15 minutes are blissfully flat — a perfect warm-up with Sassolungo looming like a grumpy old god on your left.

Soon you’ll pass Rifugio Fermeda, an excellent early pit stop if you want to grab coffee or lunch (or, you know, just a tactical pastry).

Then the climb begins — a steady, switchbacking ascent up to the Seceda ridgeline via Path 2.
About 450m of honest, thigh-burning work.
Distract yourself with the views: rustic huts, wildflowers, and the fierce teeth of the Odle peaks stabbing the skyline.

Reward your legs with a stop at the divine Baita Sofie (wine with a view, anyone?), then head past Restaurante Seceda on Path 1 toward the summit cross.
This is your “holy-shit-is-this-even-real” moment — make it last.

From the summit you’ve got two choices:

• The Direct Descent:
  Follow Path 1 back toward Troier Hut, connect onto Path 2, and wander downhill toward Rifugio Firenze before finishing at Col Raiser.
  ⤷ Full step-by-step details are in the One-Way Route section above.
• The Pieralongia Detour:
  Take a left onto Path 2B just before Troier Hut and hike out to the absurdly gorgeous twin rocks of Pieralongia.
  ⤷ Full step-by-step details are outlined in the Secret Detours section below.

Either way — expect full-on awe, soaring views, and at least one moment where you dramatically whisper, “this can’t be real” to yourself.

TIP | You can also start this loop from Ortisei (via the Seceda cable car) if you’re feeling energetic — but it’s a much tougher day, with the tough 450m ascent packed into the second half.

All transport details are in the one-way route above.

Secret Detours: Bonus Adventures for the Bold

Feeling extra wild?
Once you’re at the summit, there are two gorgeous detours you can add on — perfect if you want a magical side quest without committing to a whole new hike.

You don’t have to do both. You don’t have to do either.
But if your feet — or your heart — are still restless when you reach the ridgeline, these are the adventures that’ll become core memories.

Both detours add around 30–45 minutes to your hike, depending on how many pastries, photo stops, or spontaneous staring-into-the-sky moments you allow yourself.

Pieralongia Detour (Gentle Adventure)

Just when you think Seceda can’t get more beautiful, Pieralongia proves you wrong.
A gentle wander through wildflower meadows leads you to twin spires of stone rising straight out of the earth — like something torn from the pages of a fantasy novel.
It’s soft, cinematic, and absurdly pretty.

How to do it:
From the summit, descend toward Troier Hut along Path 1. Just before you reach the hut, turn left onto Path 2B toward Malga Pieralongia Alm.
Drink in the frankly insane views of alpine lakes and little wooden huts in Parco Naturale Puez-Odle and stop for coffee and cake if you’re smart (and you’re smart).
Take a right turn onto path 13B, which will take you to Rifugio Firenze. From here, take path 2 and then path 4 back to the Col Raiser cable car.

Furcela Pana (Steep, but Stupidly Worth It)

If you want the kind of view that punches you square in the chest, Furcela Pana is waiting.
This steep little side trail flings you up to a saddle where the Fermeda Towers rear out of the ground like stone daggers. It’s short, it’s tough, and it’s outrageously worth it.

How to do it:
From the summit, start your descent along Path 1 toward Troier Hut.
Look for a sharp left onto Path 6 — this is your route up to Furcela Pana.
Climb slowly, catch your breath often, and prepare to have your mind blown by the Furmeda Towers at the top.
Retrace your steps to Path 1 and continue your hike.

Seceda Hiking Map (Routes + Photo Spots)

If you’re a visual planner (or just want to geek out over all the ridiculous viewpoints waiting for you), here’s my custom map with hiking routes and my favourite photo spots marked.

⤷ Tip: Click the star next to the map title to save it to your own Google Maps account for offline access.

When to Hike Seceda

Best Season for Hiking Seceda

Seceda is beautiful year-round — but if you want the full, mind-melting experience without snowdrifts or cable car dramas, aim for late July or early September through October.

➔ July brings wildflowers and long, dreamy evenings. Perfect backdrops for leisurely rifugi stops.
➔ August is peak tourist season — beautiful, but busy (think tour groups wielding selfie sticks like lightsabers).
➔ September to early October is the sweet spot: clear skies, cooler air, golden light, and far fewer crowds.

Outside of these months, it gets tricky.
Cable cars usually close between November and late May, and while it’s still technically possible to hike Seceda on foot, you’re dealing with full winter conditions — snow, ice, and avalanche risk.
Short version: Unless you’re equipped for serious winter hiking, stick to summer and early autumn.

⤷ Planning a shoulder season trip?
[Coming soon: my full guide to hiking Seceda without the cable cars] — because you might need it.

Best Time of Day to Hike Seceda

If you want to feel like you’re starring in your own mountain epic (and honestly, you do), go early or go late.

Sunrise:
➔ The ridgeline ignites in shades of pink, gold, and fire.
➔ There’s barely a soul around except you, the clouds, and maybe a few marmots judging your heavy breathing.

Golden Hour (before sunset):
➔ The light gets soft and syrupy, stretching long shadows across the mountains and setting the cliffs ablaze.
➔ Perfect for slow hikes, long wine stops, and unhinged amounts of photography.

CAT’S PHOTOGRAPHY TIP | For the easiest Golden Hour vibes, book yourself a night at a rifugi at the top. You’ll save yourself a killer early morning uphill hike or headtorch-lit extravaganza down in the dark.

Middle of the day:
➔ Still spectacular — it’s Seceda, after all — but expect bigger crowds, flatter light, and a little less magic.

Start early. Stay late if you can.
Trust me: you’re not going to want to rush this place.

Getting to the Seceda Trailheads

You’ve got three main launchpads for hiking Seceda — the Val Gardena villages of Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva — depending on which hike you’re doing and how much effort you’re willing to put in.

Here’s how to get yourself to the right spot without needing a second coffee (or a full meltdown).

Via Ortisei

TIP | There are various passes available for public transport and the open lifts in both Val Gardena and the wider Dolomites area. If you stay in Val Gardena and your accommodation is part of the Tourist Association then you’re entitled to a Mobil Card for free bus use. Options for lifts are the Gardena Card (Val Gardena only) or the SuperSummer Pass (Dolomites region).

Via Santa Cristina

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Via Selva

Where to eat and stay on Seceda

One of the best parts of hiking Seceda?
You don’t have to carry a sad squashed sandwich in your backpack.

Dotted along the trails are gorgeous mountain rifugi where you can grab a coffee, a Hugo spritz, a bowl of hot pasta, or even a bed for the night.

Here are a few favourites worth planning your day (or your night) around:

⤷ Troier Hut
Farm-to-table dishes, strong coffee, and Hugo spritzes with a view of the Sassolungo massif. Perfect for a quick, easy refuel. Open 9am–5pm summer months.

⤷ Baita Sofie
The fanciest dining option on the mountain — think hearty mountain plates, a killer wine list, and sunset views that might just destroy you emotionally. Open 8am–6pm. Booking recommended.

⤷ Rifugio Firenze (Regensburgerhütte)
One of the oldest and most atmospheric rifugi in Val Gardena. Stay overnight for a sunrise you’ll never shut up about. Open early June–mid-October. Must book in advance.

⤷ Pieralongia Alm
Hidden in a wildflower-strewn valley between the twin towers of Pieralongia. Fresh cakes, coffee, and rustic alpine plates. (Open June–mid-October.)

⤷ Rifugio Fermeda
Famous for wood-fired pizza served at 2,109 metres. Relaxed vibes, great food, and the perfect start or end to your Col Raiser loop. Book accommodation early.

TOP TIP | If you’re planning a sunrise hike or a sunset wine session, seriously consider booking a night at one of the rifugi. There’s nothing like watching the mountains set themselves on fire — and knowing you only have to stagger a few steps to your bed.

Where to Stay for Hiking Seceda

If you want to get the best out of Seceda — early morning light, late evening glow, fewer crowds — it’s absolutely worth staying nearby.

Best Bases are the villages of Val Gardena:

Ortisei: The main gateway to Seceda. Great hotels, walkable to the cable car, and the liveliest base if you want bars and bakeries.
My Hotel Choice: Hotel Ansitz Jakoberhof ****

Santa Cristina: Quieter than Ortisei, but perfectly placed for both the Col Raiser cable car and exploring the broader Val Gardena area.
My Hotel Choice: Hotel Garnì Gardena ***

Selva di Val Gardena: A little further up the valley. Ideal if you want access to other hiking trails too, but it’s still close enough for easy Seceda adventures.
My Hotel Choice: B&B Garni Bondi ***

READ THIS | [Coming soon: The Best Places to Stay for Hiking Seceda]

What to Pack for Hiking Seceda

You don’t need to carry the entire contents of a mountain shop to hike Seceda — but you do need to be prepared.

Weather can shift fast up here, and the last thing you want is to be caught out when the sunshine turns to sideways hail (true story, 11/10 do not recommend).

⤷ Need a full gear checklist?
READ THIS | The Ultimate Women’s Hiking Gear Guide for the Dolomites

In the meantime, here’s your no-bullshit essentials list:

✔️ Proper hiking boots (yes, even for the easy routes)
✔️ Layers, layers, layers — it’s colder at 8,200 feet than you think
✔️ A waterproof jacket, because Dolomites gonna Dolomites
✔️ Sun protection — hat, sunglasses, SPF that could survive a small apocalypse
✔️ Water and snacks (rifugi are dreamy, but not open 24/7)
✔️ A fully charged phone + offline maps (bonus points if you pack a paper map)
✔️ A headtorch if you’re chasing sunrise, sunset, or getting side-tracked by too many pastries
✔️ Your camera. Trust me.

Hike smart. Layer up. Chase light. And leave room in your pack for that inevitable slice of strudel.

Hiking Seceda FAQs

Final Thoughts on Hiking Seceda

Some hikes give you pretty views.
Seceda punches a hole right through your chest and leaves the mountains humming inside you.

Whether you wander the ridgeline for an easy few hours or lose yourself on secret trails between wildflower meadows and stone spires, hiking Seceda isn’t just another day out in the Dolomites.
It’s a core memory. The kind you’ll dig out when the world feels small and grey and you need reminding that magic still exists.

So go.
Get yourself to that edge-of-the-world ridgeline.
Take the photo — yes — but more importantly, take the moment.

You’ll thank yourself later.

⤷ Found this guide helpful? Save it, share it, send it to a friend you want to drag to the mountains. And if you have questions, hit me up in the comments or on Instagram – I’m always down to talk epic hikes and existential mountain moments.