How to Reach Seceda: Tips and Tricks for Easy Access

Explore Seceda, a famous landmark known for its natural beauty, located in the captivating Dolomites of Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its distinctive shape and stunning views, Seceda stands proudly at an elevation of 2519 meters, making it one of the most cherished icons and popular tourist destinations in the area. However, no visit to the Dolomites is truly fulfilled without witnessing the renowned panorama of the Puez Odle Group from the Seceda viewpoint. Discovering the optimal routes for reaching this iconic destination is essential for an unforgettable experience.

Where is the Seceda mountain?

Seceda Mountain, positioned within South Tyrol’s Val Gardena valley in Northern Italy, is nestled amidst the scenic surroundings of the Puez-Odle Nature Park. It is close to the towns of Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena.

Options for reaching Seceda

There are several options available for reaching Seceda, including taking the cable car, hiking, or a combination of both. However, the easiest and quickest method is to ascend using the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda Cableways from Ortisei in Val Gardena.
While hikers can ascend to the summit independently, the cable car is the preferred choice for most visitors. This is due to the multitude of hiking trails that originate from the top in various directions, allowing hikers to conserve their energy for exploring the surrounding mountains and attractions.

Once at the cable car station, visitors have several ways to explore Seceda and its surroundings:

By Cable Car (Round Trip)

The simplest option is to take the cable car up and down, allowing travellers to enjoy panoramic views without strenuous hiking. This is the most popular choice as it is fast (15 minutes) and allows you to reach Seceda easily, even with children. Another option is to conserve energy and start hiking trails from the top, or you can also bring up your bicycle or dog.

By Cable Car Up and Hiking Down (or Vice Versa)

For a more immersive experience, visitors can take the cable car up and hike down to Ortisei, or vice versa, blending scenic rides with invigorating hikes. It is also a good option to ascend by cable car and hike down on a different path.

Halfway Cable Car, Half Hike

Another option is to ride halfway up the mountain via the gondola and hike the rest of the way. This option offers a balance of convenience and adventure, allowing travellers to explore Seceda at their own pace. Note, when choosing the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda Cableways, you will need to switch at about halfway, as the gondola takes you to Funes and then you change to a cable car to reach Seceda, enabling a half-and-half trip.

Hike Up and Down

For avid hikers, trekking up and down Seceda offers a rewarding challenge. Well-marked trails lead to the summit, offering stunning views and opportunities to connect with nature. The downside of this option is that you won’t have much time at the summit or for trails beginning from the summit, but this option undoubtedly provides a memorable hiking experience. There are multiple hiking trails to Seceda, such as the route near the Col Raiser parking lot following trails 1 and then 1A, which takes approximately 3-4 hours one way with a 1000 m elevation gain. Another option is the Monte Pic circuit, starting from the Cristauta-Praplan Parking Lot above Santa Cristina, covering 13.9 km in a circuit lasting around 6 hours with a +1000 m elevation gain.

Note: there are other cable car options too but this is the easiest and fastest way to reach Seceda.

Gondola & cable car Ortisei – Furnes – Seceda information

To reach the cable car station, you can either drive there or use public transportation. If you opt for driving, you’ll find a parking garage, with a capacity of 250 spaces, right next to the station. The parking fee is 1.90 EUR per hour with a daily maximum of 13 EUR.
Alternatively, if driving isn’t feasible, you can visit these websites (Rome2rio and Seudtirol )for more information about public transportation schedules and prices.

OPENING TIME

Between late May and early November, operating hours are from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. For the most current information, please visit the official website. During other months, you can experience the skiing season and verify availability by visiting the same site.

PRICES FOR CABLEWAY ORTISEI-FURNES + CABLEWAY FURNES-SECEDA

Up and down
Adults (16+): 45 EUR
Junior (8-16): 23 EUR
Children (0-8): Free

One way
Adults (16+): 33 EUR
Junior (8-16): 17 EUR
Children (0-8): Free

Dogs: 5 EUR
Bikes: 5 EUR

Best time to visit the Seceda Ridgeline

You have the freedom to choose based on the season you prefer to reach the summit. Each month offers its beauty and various options for reaching it. While peak seasons occur in July and August, I recommend opting for June, September, or October to avoid the crowds. However, if you’re eager for winter activities, you can enjoy snow from late November to April/May. For more accurate weather information, you can always check their webcam.

My experience and conclusion

If you’re considering whether it’s worth visiting Seceda, I highly recommend it. It offers a unique perspective, whether you reach it by cable car or hiking, whichever option suits you best. I visited in June and opted for the gondola and cable car combination before exploring the area on foot.

More travel and hiking resources in the Dolomites

• Lake Sorapis: A Dolomite Hiking Guide
• Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trekking: Insider Tips and Trail Details
• Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint: A Scenic Dolomites Hike
• Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary: Mountains and Lakes
• Lake Carezza: A Guide to the Jewel of South Tyrol’s Dolomites
• 11 Beautiful Lakes in Northern Italy to Visit
• Lake Braies – top things to do