Best Hikes in Ortisei, the heart of Val Gardena, a colourful and lively base for exploring the Dolomites.

Ortisei is right in the heart of Val Gardena and makes a brilliant base for exploring the Dolomites. The town itself is colourful and lively, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and hotels, but it’s the easy lift access that makes it special for walkers. From here you can shoot straight up into the mountains — Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, and Raschötz are all on your doorstep — which means less time slogging uphill and more time out on the trails. Whether you’re after a gentle stroll with big views or a proper day’s hike along the famous ridgelines, Ortisei has it all.

For hikes all over the Dolomites, please check out my page here.

Hinking Trails in Ortisei

• 
  Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) Panorama Loop, Europe’s biggest high Meadow from Ortisei – Dolomites, Italy
  This is a laid-back day out on Europe’s biggest high meadow. The cable car from Ortisei take you to the Alpe di Siusi plateau, where wide paths and rolling grassland make for easy going. You’ll loop past viewpoints and huts for lunch and coffee, with views of the Sassolungo/Sassopiatto group most of the way. You can keep it short and sweet, or wander further if the legs are happy.
• 
  Alpe Resciesa Hike & Holy Cross Chapel Loop from Ortisei. Resciesa Funicular Ride, Rifugio Malga Brogles & Ridge Walk – Dolomites, Italy
  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 walks: experiencing the rolling meadows, sweeping views, and you’ll get to visit to a couple of classic alpine spots. The highlights are Rifugio Malga Brogles, tucked under the Odle peaks, and the Holy Cross Chapel which sits out on the edge of the pasture overlooking the valley below.
• 
  Seceda Ridgeline Hike using Cable Car up from Ortisei, then return walk back via Popular Huts – Dolomites, Italy
  From the town of Ortisei (1,245m), you’ll take the Ortisei–Furnes gondola, then transfer onto the Furnes–Seceda cable car which whisks you up to 2,500m in minutes. At the top it’s just a short stroll to the famous Seceda viewpoint — the sharp ridgeline of the Odle–Geisler peaks is one of the Dolomites’ most iconic sights.

Places to Stay in the Dolomites

• 
  10 Most Romantic Hotels in the Dolomites. Honeymoons, Anniversary Trips or a Peaceful Mountain Break for 2.
  Best Hotels for Hiking in the Dolomites. Handpicked hotels with trails on the doorstep, jaw-dropping views, and all the comforts after a day on the mountain.
• 
  Best Hotels for Hiking in the Dolomites.
  Best Hotels for Hiking in the Dolomites. Handpicked hotels with trails on the doorstep, jaw-dropping views, and all the comforts after a day on the mountain.
• 
  Best Ski-In Ski-Out Hotels in the Dolomites. Ski Hotels & Accommodation near the Ski Slopes or Ski Lifts in Italy.
  The 10 Best Ski In & Ski Out Hotels and Accommodation in the Dolomites Italy. Ski Hotels & Accommodation near the Ski Slopes or Ski Lifts in Italy.
• 
  Best Family-friendly Hotels in the Dolomites. Hotels with Kids, means Kids Clubs, Spacious Rooms, Pools, Entertainment and more.
  10 Family-Friendly Hotels with Warm Hospitality, Kids’ Playrooms, Kids’ Activities, Pools, Entertainment, Childcare & Spacious Family Rooms.
• 
  Best Hotels with Mountain Views in the Dolomites. Spectacular Balcony Views and Pools with 360 Views of the Dolomites.
  Best Hotels with Mountain Views in the Dolomites. 10 exceptional hotels with iconic balcony views, peaks-at-sunset & perfect for Hiking & Skiing.
• 
  The 10 Best Hotels in the Dolomites with Hot Tubs / Baths / Pools in South Tyrol Region. Wellness hotels for Familes and Couples, perfect for recovering after Skiing or Hiking.
  The 10 Best Hotels in the Dolomites with Hot Tubs / Baths / Pools in South Tyrol Region. Wellness hotels for familes and couples, perfect for recovering after skiing or hiking.
• 
  Alleghe, is a peaceful lakeside village nestled in the shadow of Monte Civetta, one of the most dramatic and iconic peaks in the Dolomites. Lakes, forests, and towering rock faces.
  Alleghe is a peaceful lakeside village nestled in the shadow of Monte Civetta, one of the most dramatic and iconic peaks in the Dolomites. Located in the Belluno province of Veneto, Alleghe combines serene alpine charm with access to some truly spectacular hiking terrain, especially if you love lakes, forests, and towering rock faces.
• 
  Arabba, a Small Alpine Village tucked beneath the mighty Sella Group, is one of the best-kept secrets for hikers in the Dolomites.
  Arabba, a small alpine village tucked beneath the mighty Sella Group, is one of the best-kept secrets for hikers in the Dolomites. Located in the Veneto region, near the border with South Tyrol and Trentino, Arabba offers direct access to some of the most dramatic high-altitude trails in the eastern Dolomites — without the bustle of larger resort towns.
• 
  Selva di Val Gardena, Dolomites – High altitude Hiking base in the upper end of Val Gardena and direct trails onto Puez-Odle, Sella Massif & Sassolungo.
  Selva di Val Gardena (known as Wolkenstein in German and Sëlva in Ladin) is one of the best hiking bases in the entire Dolomites region. Tucked into the upper end of Val Gardena, this high-altitude village sits between towering peaks and opens directly onto trails that climb into the Puez-Odle Nature Park, the Sella Massif, and the Sassolungo Group.
• 
  Dobbiaco is a peaceful, well-connected village located at the northern edge of the Sexten Dolomites in South Tyrol, close to Cortina. A strategic, versatile hiking base.
  Dobbiaco (known as Toblach in German) is a peaceful, well-connected village located at the northern edge of the Sexten Dolomites in South Tyrol. Often overshadowed by more famous neighbours like Cortina or San Candido, Dobbiaco is actually one of the most strategic and versatile bases for hiking in the eastern Dolomites – especially for those seeking both stunning scenery and easy logistics.
• 
  Canazei, Dolomites in the heart of Val di Fassa in Trentino. One of the best all-round hiking bases framed by the Sella Group, Marmolada and Sassolunga.
  Canazei, located in the heart of Val di Fassa in Trentino, is one of the best all-round hiking bases in the Dolomites. Framed by the dramatic peaks of the Sella Group, Marmolada, and Sassolungo, it’s a magnet for outdoor lovers, offering instant access to some of the region’s most iconic high-altitude trails and panoramic viewpoints.
• 
  San Candido, Dolomites, a Scenic Town in the Sexton Valley. A fantastic base for hikers looking for a relaxed and authentic mountain experience.
  San Candido (known as Innichen in German) is a peaceful yet incredibly scenic town located in the Sesto/Sexten Valley in the eastern Dolomites, near the Austrian border. While it’s quieter than the likes of Cortina or Ortisei, San Candido is a fantastic base for hikers looking for a more relaxed and authentic mountain experience, with excellent access to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park, and the Sesto Dolomites.
• 
  Cortina d’Ampezzo, often dubbed the “Queen of the Dolomites”, is one of the most glamorous and dramatic hiking bases in Italy.
  Cortina d’Ampezzo, often dubbed the “Queen of the Dolomites”, is one of the most glamorous and dramatic hiking bases in Italy. Set within the wide Ampezzo Valley in the province of Belluno, this alpine town offers hikers a unique blend of rugged natural beauty, high-end mountain culture, and direct access to some of the most awe-inspiring trails in the Dolomites.
• 
  Corvara (Alta Badia), Dolomites. Stunning mountain village in the heart of the Alta Badia region and a central hiking base in the Dolomites.
  Ortisei (known as Urtijëi in Ladin and St. Ulrich in German) is one of the most picturesque and popular hiking bases in the Dolomites. Tucked into the lush Val Gardena valley in South Tyrol, this mountain town combines postcard-worthy alpine scenery with easy access to two of the region’s most iconic hiking areas: Seceda and Alpe di Siusi.
• 
  Ortisei (Val Gardena), Dolomites. One of the most picturesque and popular hiking bases in the region. Below are Ideas & Options for Places to stay in Ortisei for Hiking.
  Ortisei (known as Urtijëi in Ladin and St. Ulrich in German) is one of the most picturesque and popular hiking bases in the Dolomites. Tucked into the lush Val Gardena valley in South Tyrol, this mountain town combines postcard-worthy alpine scenery with easy access to two of the region’s most iconic hiking areas: Seceda and Alpe di Siusi.
• 
  Best Places To Stay in the Dolomites for Hiking. These places double up as Best Places to Stay When Skiing in the Dolomites.
  Looking for Places To Stay in the Dolomites? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re planning a summer hiking adventure or a winter skiing escape, the Dolomites offer some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe. From charming alpine villages and luxury mountain resorts to cosy family-run guesthouses and remote rifugi (mountain huts), this UNESCO-listed region is packed with unforgettable places to stay.