Alpe Resciesa Hike & Holy Cross Chapel Loop from Ortisei. Resciesa Funicular Ride, Rifugio Malga Brogles & Ridge Walk – Dolomites, Italy

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.

The Alpe Resciesa hike is one of those walks that gives you a proper mountain day without making you work unnecessarily hard for the first big views. From Ortisei, the Resciesa funicular carries you straight up to the high plateau, meaning you can spend your energy on the best parts of the route: open alpine meadows, broad ridge views, peaceful woodland paths and some excellent mountain stops along the way.

The main highlights are the Holy Cross Chapel, the panoramic Resciesa summit ridge and the long walk towards Malga Brogles beneath the jagged Odle–Geisler peaks. The scenery changes constantly, from wide views over Val Gardena to quieter sections across pasture and forest, while Rifugio Resciesa and Malga Brogles provide two very different but equally worthwhile places to stop.

At approximately 13.9km, this is still a substantial walk despite the assistance of the funicular, with several rolling climbs and descents across the plateau. It is best described as a moderate hike rather than an easy stroll, but the paths are generally straightforward and there are no technical sections in normal summer conditions. It is a brilliant option for anyone looking for a scenic Dolomites walk that feels varied, rewarding and slightly quieter than some of the region’s most famous routes.

If you’re exploring the Dolomites, there are plenty more incredible walks nearby. The Alpe di Siusi Panorama Loop offers rolling alpine meadows and spectacular views of Sassolungo and Sassopiatto, while the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Circular Walk takes you around one of the most iconic mountain groups in the Alps, with dramatic limestone peaks, mountain huts and fascinating First World War history. You can also browse all of my Dolomites hiking guides to discover more routes, GPX downloads and inspiration for your next adventure.

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.

For a wider choice of accommodation in the Dolomites, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map

• Start/Finish: Resciesa Funicular Upper Station
• Transport: Ortisei is connected by bus to Bolzano, Bressanone, and Val Gardena villages.
• GPX: Download the GPX here.
• You can also follow this route on my Outdooractive and Komoot profiles.
• Avoid the early start – find accommodation in Ortisei

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.

Sim Local can reduce or even eliminate your roaming fees. Click www.simlocal.com + 10% discount using WELSHMAN.

Hike Profile

• Distance: ~13.9km
• Duration: 4–5 hours
• Ascent: approximately 420m
• Highest point: 2,281m
• Difficulty: Moderate — well-marked paths; steeper downhill if you skip the funicular return.
• Route Type: Circular (with return to funicular)

Route Overview

Distances are approximate; you’ll likely choose either the funicular or the full walk back to Ortisei.

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Hike Description

The walk begins after taking the Resciesa funicular from Ortisei to the upper station, where you step straight out into open mountain scenery. Like some of the other walks in the Dolomites that start like this, it’s is an incredible feeling to step out to these views. At around 2,150m, most of the hard work of climbing out of the valley has already been done for you, and the views begin almost immediately. Ortisei sits far below in Val Gardena, while the higher peaks of the Dolomites rise across the horizon.

From the funicular station, follow the broad paths across the plateau towards Rifugio Resciesa. This first section is gentle and gives you time to settle into the walk, with open pasture, grazing cattle and wide views in almost every direction. Rifugio Resciesa is close enough to the start that you may not need to stop yet, but it is worth remembering for the return journey. The terrace is a lovely place to sit, and the hut serves traditional South Tyrolean food in a relaxed mountain setting.

Continue beyond the rifugio towards the Holy Cross Chapel, known locally as the Heilig Kreuz Kapelle. The small stone chapel sits alone near the edge of the pasture and feels far more remote than it really is. From here, the ground falls away towards Val Gardena, with Ortisei and the surrounding villages spread out below. It is a peaceful place to stop, particularly if you arrive before the main flow of walkers.

The route then continues towards the Resciesa summit ridge and its large wooden cross at approximately 2,281m, the highest point of the walk. The climb is steady rather than difficult, and the reward is one of the best panoramas on the route. The Odle–Geisler peaks dominate the view ahead, while the surrounding Dolomites stretch away in every direction.

From the summit area, the character of the walk begins to change. The trail leaves the more open section of the plateau and continues towards Malga Brogles, gradually descending through alpine pasture and quieter mountain terrain. The Odle peaks appear increasingly dramatic as you approach, rising sharply above the meadows and forming one of the most memorable views of the day.

Malga Brogles sits in a spectacular position beneath the mountains and makes a natural halfway stop. Depending on the season, it is a good place for coffee, cake or a longer lunch, although opening times should always be checked in advance. Even when the hut is closed, the surrounding meadow is a beautiful place to pause and enjoy the view.

The return follows the same general direction back across the plateau, but the changing light and reversed views make it feel different from the outward journey. There are a few gentle climbs along the way, so although the funicular removes the long ascent from Ortisei, the route still feels like a proper mountain walk.

As you approach Rifugio Resciesa again, the trail returns to the more open pastureland above Val Gardena. This is the ideal time to stop at the rifugio if you passed it earlier, with plenty of time for food or a drink before completing the final easy section back to the funicular station.

The GPX finishes near the upper funicular area rather than descending into Ortisei on foot. From here, you can take the funicular back into the village, completing a varied circular-style route that combines panoramic ridges, mountain huts, alpine meadows and some of the finest views of the Odle group.

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.

Resciesa Alpe Hike – 3D Walkthrough

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

For a wider choice of accommodation in the Dolomites, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.

Hotel Adler Spa Resort

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.

Garni Hotel Ortisei

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.

Practicalities

• Getting there: Start from the Resciesa Funicular upper station above Ortisei. Paid parking and regular buses are available in the village.
• Food & drink: Rifugio Resciesa and Malga Brogles both serve food and drinks during the hiking season. Carry some cash just in case.
• Gear: Good walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots are ideal. Some sections can become muddy after wet weather.
• Weather: You’ll spend most of the walk above 2,000m where conditions can change quickly. Start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms in summer.
• Families: Suitable for active older children. The paths are straightforward, but the distance and rolling climbs make it a full day out.
• Navigation: The trails are well signposted, but downloading the GPX is recommended if cloud rolls in.
• Options: Returning by the Resciesa Funicular keeps the walk moderate. Walking all the way back down to Ortisei adds a much longer descent and turns it into a bigger day.

Resciesa Hike FAQs

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