Region: Ortisei — Val Gardena, Dolomites, Italy
Places To Stay: Ortisei is a brilliant base for this hike — a proper alpine town with colourful streets, cosy hotels, and a direct lift to the Seceda ridgeline. You’ll find everything from family-run B&Bs to wellness hotels with saunas for easing sore legs. Rifugios like Fermeda or Firenze also give the option to stay up high, which means catching sunrise and sunset on the peaks.
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.
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. Many people simply soak up the views and return by cable car, but this route takes things a step further: walking the long way back down into Ortisei. It’s a tough 9-mile descent, but worth it for the views, mountain huts, and variety of terrain you’ll experience on the way.
Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map
- Start/Finish: Ortisei town centre → Seceda cable car → ridgeline → return by walking/cable car.
- 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 Profile.
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Hike Profile
- Distance: 10 miles – 16 km (depending on chosen loop).
- Duration: 5–6 hours (with photo stops + rifugio break).
- Ascent: ~170 m (reduced if using cable car both ways).
- Highest point: Seceda ridgeline ~2,500 m.
- Difficulty: Difficult — paths are well-marked but sometimes steep or narrow, good fitness needed.
Route Overview (Cable car up, walk or cable cars down)
| Section | From → To | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seceda Cable Car Top → Seceda viewpoint | 1 km | Easy stroll to the classic photo point. |
| 2 | Seceda → Rifugio Firenze | 1.6 km | Trail winds down past alpine meadows; great lunch stop. |
| 3 | Rifugio Firenze → Col Raiser lift | 4 km | Gentle descent through meadows and forests. |
| 4 | Col Raiser → Walk to Ortisei | 10 km | Gentle ups and downs through woods. |
Distances are approximate; you’ll likely choose either the Col Raiser lift or the full walk to Ortisei.
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Hike Description
After stepping off the Seceda cable car, most people make a beeline for the famous viewpoint, and it’s easy to see why. The ridgeline of the Odle–Geisler peaks looks like it’s been cut with a knife, a jagged wall of limestone that rises straight out of the meadows. You’ll want to stay here all day, take photos, and just soak it up. From the station, it’s a gentle stroll along Path 1 to the edge, where you’ll get that Instagram perfect view.
From the viewpoint, the route begins to feel more like a real hike. Following Path 1, you’ll make your way towards Pana Scharte, a gap in the ridgeline that opens out dramatic views across the Val Gardena. The path here gently rises and lowers, hugging the grassy slopes with the cliffs towering above to your left. It’s an easy section underfoot, but one of the most atmospheric, the sense of being high on the shoulder of the Dolomites really hits home.
The next stretch takes you past Rifugio Troier, a cosy mountain hut and the perfect place to stop for a drink or snack. Expect great hearty food, polenta, dumplings, mountain cheeses, and plenty of hikers doing the same. From Troier, Path 1 rolls on towards Rifugio Firenze, with the Odle peaks now a constant backdrop. This part of the trail gives you that classic Dolomites mix: sweeping alpine meadows, grazing cows with bells clanging in the distance, and big mountain views in every direction.
From Rifugio Firenze, you’ve got a decision to make. If you’re short on time (or knees!), you can turn onto Path 4 towards Col Raiser Hut and take the cable car back down to the valley. From there it’s an easy bus back to Ortisei. But if you’re up for the full experience, carry on down Path 4 all the way to Ortisei. This is where the walk becomes tougher: long, steep descents through forest trails, rocky sections that test the legs, and plenty of switchbacks to manage the drop in height.
On the way down, you’ll pass the little Dheja da Sacum church, a quiet alpine chapel that feels like a hidden corner of history in the middle of the mountains. The final stretch winds through woodland before spitting you out back into Ortisei, where you started. By now you’ll have clocked up about 16 km / 10 miles, and your legs will know it, but you’ll also have walked one of the Dolomites’ most iconic ridgelines and brought it all the way back down on foot.
It’s a long day, and definitely a difficult walk if you take the full descent, but for anyone who wants more than just the cable car viewpoint, this route delivers the full package: stunning scenery, great hut stops, and that feeling of truly walking the mountain rather than just looking at it.
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: Seceda and Col Raiser lifts run June–Oct; check timetables.
- Food & drink: Rifugios serve hearty South Tyrolean dishes — cash is handy.
- Gear: Hiking shoes recommended; trails are easy but can be slick when wet.
- Weather: Afternoon storms are common in summer — start early.
- Family-friendly: With the cable car, this hike is doable for older kids.
Seceda Ridgeline FAQs
How long is the Seceda hike?
Most loops are 10–12 km, 4–5 hours with stops.
Is it difficult?
Moderate. The lift removes most of the climb, but some descents are steep.
Best time to go?
Late June–September, when lifts and rifugios are open.
Do I need to book rifugios?
Day visitors don’t, but overnight stays must be booked in advance.
Can I hike without the cable car?
Yes, but it adds 1,200m of climbing from Ortisei — a tough day out.
Family friendly?
Yes, especially with lift access and shorter meadow loops.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on trails and lifts (muzzles sometimes required).
How do I get to Ortisei?
By bus from Bolzano or Bressanone; both link to train lines.
Can I stay up high overnight?
Yes, Rifugio Firenze and Fermeda take bookings.
Is it good for photography?
Absolutely — sunrise and sunset on the Odle peaks are incredible.
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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