Region: Ortisei — Val Gardena, Dolomites, Italy
Places To Stay: Ortisei is a lively alpine town and one of the best bases in the Dolomites. Expect pastel-coloured houses, cobbled streets, cafés, and a good mix of cosy guesthouses and spa hotels. Staying in town means you’re a short stroll from the Resciesa funicular, which makes this hike super accessible. For a high-alpine feel, huts like Rifugio Resciesa offer overnight stays right on the plateau.
Looking for more Dolomites trails? Head to my ‘Dolomites Hiking Guides‘ page to see all regions and routes.
Below are a few ideas for day tours and transfers around Ortisei, with GetYourGuide offering discounts and easy booking + see more here.
This walk is a crowd-pleaser without being over the top. From Ortisei, the Resciesa funicular takes you straight to the ridge so you can spend your energy on the good bits: rolling meadows, sweeping views, and a couple of classic alpine stops. The highlights are Rifugio Malga Brogles, tucked under the Odle peaks, and the Holy Cross Chapel on the edge of the pasture overlooking the valley below. It’s a moderate hike with options to shorten or lengthen depending on your legs.
Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map
- Start/Finish: Ortisei town → Resciesa funicular station → loop via Rifugio Brogles & Holy Cross Chapel → back to Ortisei.
- Transport: Ortisei is connected by bus to Bolzano, Bressanone, and Val Gardena villages.
- Download the GPX here.
- You can also follow this route on my Outdooractive Profile.
Travel Data: I highly recommend using eSIMs as they’re the easiest way to stay connected: no physical SIM, no roaming bill shock, and you’re online as soon as you land. My go-to is Sim Local — good value, fast, and solid coverage across Italy/Europe.
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Hike Profile
- Distance: ~14 km (loop variations).
- Duration: 5–6 hours with stops (funicular up; funicular or footpath down).
- Highest point: Resciesa plateau ~2,200 m.
- Difficulty: Moderate — well-marked paths; steeper downhill if you skip the funicular return.
Route Overview
| Section | From → To | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ortisei → Resciesa funicular top | – | Quick lift to the plateau to start the hike. |
| 2 | Funicular top → Rifugio Malga Brogles | 3–4 km | Rolling alpine meadows with Odle peaks backdrop. |
| 3 | Brogles → Rifugio Resciesa | 2–3 km | Classic hut stop for coffee/lunch. |
| 4 | Resciesa → Holy Cross Chapel | ~2 km | Quiet chapel with sweeping valley views. |
| 5 | Return to funicular / walk down to Ortisei | 3–6 km | Funicular down = easy finish; walking down makes it a longer day. |
Distances are approximate; you’ll likely choose either the funicular or the full walk back to Ortisei.
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Hike Description
Jump on the Resciesa funicular in Ortisei and it’ll take you straight to the plateau at around 2,200 m, you’ll step out and instantly be in mountain mode. From the top station the views open right up, and looking back down, Ortisei looks like a toy town and the Odle peaks are an incredible view in the distance.
Follow the easy paths across the alpine pasture towards Rifugio Malga Brogles. It’s one of the best-located huts in the Dolomites, sitting right under the jagged Odle–Geisler range. The approach is gentle and rolling, all meadows, cowbells and big views, and Brogles is a cracking stop for coffee or a proper South Tyrolean lunch.
Head back the way you came and towards Rifugio Resciesa on the plateau. If you fancy stopping here they have a wood terrace, great food like dumplings, and a real friendly atmoshphere, if you’ve been to huts before it’s got that classic vibe. If you’re keeping it short, this is the point to head back to the funicular station.
Otherwise continue on to the Holy Cross Chapel (Heilig Kreuz Kapelle). It’s a small stone chapel perched on the outer edge of the pasture, with a huge panorama over Val Gardena and down to the village of Laion. It feels remote and peaceful, a perfect pause before you head back towards the funicular area.
To finish, either retrace your steps to the funicular for the easy ride down, or hike the longer descent through forest trails back into Ortisei. The lift keeps it mellow; the walk down turns it into a bigger, more satisfying day out.
Places to Stay in the Dolomites – My Picks
I’ve put together a few guides to make choosing a hotel in the Dolomites easier. If you’re after a romantic break, I’ve found some of the cosiest hideaways. If it’s hiking that’s front and centre, I’ve rounded up the best hotels with trails right from the door. There are also ski-in ski-out favourites for winter trips, family-friendly bases if you’ve got little ones in tow, and hotels with those wow-factor mountain views or even hot tubs to sink into after a long day.
- Most Romantic Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Hotels for Hiking in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Ski-In Ski-Out Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Family Friendly Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Hotels with Mountain Views in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Hotels with Hot Tubs in the Dolomites ⇢
Places to Stay in Ortisei
Ortisei Base
Luxury wellness hotel with pools and saunas — perfect post-hike treat.
Set in a 9000 m² park, Adler Dolomiti is in Ortisei’s pedestrian area, 100 metres from the Alpe di Siusi small cable car. Its free wellness centre includes indoor and outdoor pools plus saunas and hot tubs.
Simple and friendly B&B in town — good value base for hiking.
Set in the centre of Ortisei, the family-run Garni Snaltnerhof offers a traditional restaurant and pizzeria. Buses to Selva di Val Gardena stop 50 metres away.
AllTrails: Trail Guides & Maps for Hiking, Camping, and Running | AllTrails Plans
Practicalities
- Lifts: Resciesa funicular runs June–Oct; check timetables.
- Food & drink: Rifugio Brogles and Rifugio Resciesa both serve meals — cash useful.
- Gear: Good walking shoes are enough; trails are easy but can be muddy after rain.
- Weather: Afternoon storms are common in summer — start early.
- Options: Funicular return keeps it moderate; walking all the way down turns it into a bigger day.
Resciesa Hike FAQs
How long is the Resciesa loop?
Usually 10–12 km depending on detours to huts and the chapel.
Is it difficult?
Moderate — well-marked paths, some uphill; longer if walking back to Ortisei.
What’s the best highlight?
The Holy Cross Chapel viewpoint — huge valley views and a peaceful spot.
Can I eat at the huts?
Yes — Brogles and Resciesa serve classic South Tyrolean food and drinks.
Is it family friendly?
Yes — with the funicular up it’s very doable for older kids and families.
When is the best time to hike?
June to October, when lifts and huts are open.
Do I need to book huts?
Day stops don’t; overnight at Rifugio Resciesa needs advance booking.
How long is the funicular ride?
Only a few minutes — it saves ~700 m of climbing from Ortisei.
Can I walk it without lifts?
Yes, but expect a big climb from town — much tougher.
Is it good for photography?
Definitely — Brogles under the Odle and the Holy Cross Chapel are both spectacular.
Walk this route yourself in 3D!
The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the mountain.
I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.
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