Jaw-dropping mountain ridges, the tallest peaks in the background, and meadows full of wildflowers—Seceda is the spot we couldn’t wait to see in the Dolomites. It’s one of the most popular things to do in the Dolomites, and rightfully so, as the dramatic ridgeline is absolutely breathtaking. However, with its fame comes the crowds, so it’s good to plan your visit smartly. In this guide, we cover how to visit Seceda, when to go, and everything you need to know beforehand.
Seceda in the Dolomites
Nestled in the UNESCO-protected Dolomites, Italy, Seceda is renowned for its tilted ridgeline and incredible landscapes. Watch as the steep vertical cliffs point up towards the sky, often shrouded in clouds. These dramatic Odle/Geisler peaks are among the most photographed mountains in South Tyrol and were one of the sights we really wanted to see.
Photography
Seceda is a dream for photographers, but it’s important to know that most of the grassy fields are private farmland, and stepping onto them is no longer allowed. Guards actively patrol the area, and we saw them whistle people off the grass more than once.
The good news is that you don’t need to cross any fences—there are plenty of areas where you can capture incredible shots of the jagged ridgeline with the Odle peaks in the background. We crouched by the edge of the path and used a 70–200mm lens to compress the ridge.
Curious what we shoot with? Here’s what’s in our camera bag.
How to get to Seceda? (Cable Car vs. Hike)
You can get to the iconic ridgeline from the town of Ortisei. Either hike or take one of the first gondolas up to the top. We chose the latter option, which is a quick ride up.
Fastest: Ortisei Gondola + Cable Car (15 mins total)
This is the easiest way to get to the Seceda ridgeline. From Ortisei, it’s a two-part journey: first hop on a gondola (here’s the location), followed by a cable car. I was surprised by how high this second one goes; at first, I couldn’t even see it coming down!
- Gondola opening times: 23 May to 2 November, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (5:00 PM from 13 October).
- Seceda cable car tickets: It’s 52 EUR for a round trip, 26 EUR for children aged 8-16. You can also choose to go one way and hike up/down, which costs 39 EUR (19 EUR for juniors). We recommend getting your tickets in advance.
- You can also decide to just get a ticket for one part of the journey, which means half of the route is done by hiking. For example, you only get a ticket for the first gondola and do the rest on foot. This costs 30 EUR (return) or 22 EUR (one way).
- An alternative: Get the Dolomiti Supersummer Card if you’re visiting other sights by cable car, like Alpe di Siusi. This card grants you unlimited access to over 120 lifts during the summer!
- How long is the cable car ride? You can reach the summit in about 15 minutes.
Once you’re at the top, it’s only a few minutes walking to the spectacular Seceda viewpoint. From here, you have the best views of the impressive ridgeline and the tall peaks in the back.
Hiking to Seceda
Although we didn’t do this ourselves, since we had already done a lot of hiking in those days. You can start a strenuous but rewarding hike right from the center of Ortisei to Seceda’s summit ridge.
Ortisei → Seceda Ridge (via Monte Pic)
- Distance and time: 11 km, 4–5 hours.
- Difficulty: Moderate. This trail balances challenging sections and rewarding views.
- Goes through forest and alpine meadows, then up to Seceda.
- From Ortisei, the route swirls around Monte Pic on the right up to the Seceda ridgeline.
Ortisei → Seceda → Rifugio Firenze Loop
- Distance and time: 16 km, 6–7 hours.
- Difficulty: Strenuous. This is a full-day hike that many strong hikers choose.
- Includes hut stops (like Rifugio Firenze), alpine pastures, and sweeping views.
- From Ortisei, the route climbs up along the ridge of Monte Pic and winds its way along the high alpine plateau before returning to the iconic Seceda viewpoint.
- Once you reach the summit ridge, you can also turn left to the viewpoint, rather than hiking to Rifugio Firenze. However, it’s worth it for the different angles.
- Mountain huts: You’ll find Rifugio Firenze, Baita Troier, and Pieralongia offering hearty alpine meals with panoramic terraces.
Seceda Hikes
After soaking up the views from the iconic photo spot, it’s worth exploring the hiking trails around Seceda. There are many routes to choose from, weaving below the tall peaks of the Odle mountains and passing cute mountain huts. Two popular options are:
- Seceda Pieralongia Hut → Firenze Hut → Daniel Hut. This is a 3-4 hour loop, making a favorite half-day adventure. (Here are all the details)
- Seceda → Rifugio Firenze → Col Raiser. This 8.4-kilometer loop trail is more challenging but offers gorgeous views.
Best Time to Visit
In summer, Seceda transforms into a hiker’s paradise with alpine plateaus, mountain huts, and trails looping across stunning scenery. In winter, it’s part of the Dolomiti Superski with over 1,200 km of slopes.
An hour later, the clouds finally began to clear, but crowds also started to gather. Our tip: Go early to avoid the crowds, but come prepared for changing weather. You can also check the webcam beforehand.
How long to spend at Seceda Ridgeline?
If you take the gondolas up and down, expect to spend about 3 hours exploring the viewpoint and its surroundings. The restaurant at the top features a terrace and toilets for your use, but you’ll also find a few other huts in the area where you can grab a bite or a drink if you decide to go for a hike.
Also read: best things to do in the Dolomites
Where to Stay
Most people who visit the Seceda ridgeline stay in Ortisei, which is what we did as well. We stayed at Casa al Sole, a boutique stay in the middle of town run by a lovely couple. Here, breakfast is included, and you’re only steps away from all the restaurants and cable cars.
Alternatively, you can look for an accommodation elsewhere in Val Gardena or just outside the valley, such as in Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein) or Canazei (Val di Fassa).
Our Top Tips for Seceda
- The restaurant up top serves breakfast and lunch.
- Bring your own water if you don’t plan to stop at one of the refugis.
- No hiking boots needed if you just explore around the gondola station, but wear sturdy shoes with grip if you plan to hike (up/down).
- The weather changes quickly here. On our visit, it was snowing at the top, even though it was July! The wind made it feel like 3°C, so layers are key. We even used the beanie we had packed just in case—and were glad we did!
- Some people take the last gondola up (5:00 – 5:30 PM) and hike down during golden hour/sunset. Only do this if you know the trail and conditions are good. Visibility can drop quickly once it gets dark.
By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost.
Thank you for your support. ♥️
- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Flights to Italy via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.