Seceda Ridgeline is an incredible mountain ridge that took our breath away at first sight. The rugged peak with steep drops on the side attracts many tourists each day. Since it’s easily accessible, you don’t even need to hike to see it.
We visited Seceda during our roadtrip to the Dolomites, Slovenia, and Croatia. We spent an incredible 7 days in the area, and every place was better than the last one. Our personal favorite is Lago di Sorapis, but I would say all the spots we visited deserve the top spots!
We had a lovely sunny day with occasional dramatic clouds showing up for a few minutes. The views were awesome, and while there was a lot of other tourists, we didn’t feel that. I think it’s because of how spacious this whole area is.
There are multiple ways how you can enjoy the Seceda Ridgeline, and we’re gonna cover three of them in this guide. We included operating hours, ticket prices, the best places to eat, and where to stay nearby.
Key Highlights
⭐️ Best time to visit: summer
⭐️ How to get there: cable car from Col Raiser or Ortisei / hike
⭐️Ticket price: from 45€ (return adult ticket)
⭐️ Where to stay: Val Gardena
⭐️Visit nearby: Alpe di Siusi, Santa Maddalena, Geisler Alm
⭐️What to pack: raincoat, camera, sunscreen, water
Where is Seceda Ridgeline
Seceda is the 2519-meter high peak in Italian Dolomites. It is located in Val Gardena and it’s a part of Puez Odle Nature Park. Nearby towns are Ortisei, Santa Cristina Valgardena, and Selva di Val Gardena.
On the opposite side of the mountain, there’s the famous picturesque village of Santa Maddalena and the beautiful Adolf Munkel Trail. The car ride to Col Raiser takes only around 50 minutes from the other valley.
If you’re visiting the Val Gardena area, we recommend adding a stop at Lago di Carezza, too.
Where to stay
If you plan to stay in the area for a few days, we recommend choosing Val Gardena. You’ll have incredible views of surrounding mountains, many hiking possibilities, bike trails, and a great choice of restaurants.
As mentioned above, you can choose one from the three areas – Ortisei, Santa Cristina Valgardena, or Selva di Val Gardena.
Santa Cristina is the calmest and least commercialized of the three. It has a serene ambiance and it’s the smallest of the two. Because of this, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a quiet place to stay.
Ortisei and Selva di Val Gardena are slightly bigger and more commercialized. They might be busier during the day and in the evenings.
Best hotels in Val Gardena
Check availability
How to get there
By car
Discovering the Dolomites by car is by far the best and most convenient option. We traveled here by our car from Slovakia. But if you live too far away or don’t want to go through such a long journey, you can rent a car in Italy!
You can rent a car in Milan if that’s where you’re flying to. Another location near the Dolomites is Bolzano. And car rental services are even offered in Cortina d’Ampezzo!
We personally always use DiscoverCars. Their website shows you all the different offers from various companies, and you can easily find the best deal. Don’t forget to purchase Full Coverage insurance as well.
If you’re arriving by car, you can reach the area from two different directions – Passo Gardena or A22 Autostrada. Where you should park depends on which route you plan to take.
Col Raiser in Santa Cristina
The first option is parking in Santa Cristina. A huge parking lot is built right next to the gondola. It’s an outdoor parking. Prices change slightly during different seasons. In the summer of 2024, parking costs 1.5€ per hour. The maximum charge for 5-12 hours is 8€ and for 12-24 hours it’s 15€.
It fits around 150 cars and vans are allowed, too. But since this is a very popular destinations, the parking spots fill up quickly. To make sure you have a free space, try to come before 9am.
During the whole Dolomites roadtrip, we slept in our car. We came to this parking lot the evening before and spent the whole night here without any troubles.
To find this parking lot, type Parkplatz Col Raiser into Google Maps.
Ortisei
The second option is parking in Ortisei. Two parking garages can be found right next to the cable car. They are usually full before 9 am in the summer, so make sure to arrive early. Once both garages fill up, cars are redirected to a small outdoor parking on a dirth path nearby.
The price here is 2.5€ per hour from 07:00 till 19:00, and 0.8€ per hour from 19:00 till 07:00. That means you can expect to pay around 25€ for 10 hours. If you park here for 24 hours, it will cost you almost 40€.
Because of this, if your goal is to save money and you don’t mind hiking a little bit, it’s much cheaper to park at Col Raiser. Additionally, there’s no maximum payment limit per day, so cost can add up quickly.
To find this parking lot, type Parkgarage Seceda into Google Maps.
By public transport
Reaching Val Gardena using public transport is possible from both east and west. The nearest train station is Waidbruck Bahnhof, which is 17km from Ortisei. From Waidbruck, you can take bus 350 which goes all to way to Selva di Val Gardena.
The bus 350 starts in Bolzano and passes all the villages in Val Garden on the way to Plan de Gralba, which is its final destination.
If you’re coming from the east, you can use bus line 473 from Corvara di Badia or 471 from Canazei.
To search for public transport connections in the Dolomites, we recommend using the Suedtirol Mobil website.
Col Raiser by public transport
In order to reach the Col Raiser gondola by public transport, you have to get off at Santa Cristina Dosses bus station. From there it’s 15 minutes walk to the gondola.
If you’re staying somewhere in Santa Cristina, you can also use bus 358 which goes directly to Col Raiser.
Ortisei by public transport
In order to reach the Ortisei gondola by bus, you will have to get off at a bus station called Ortisei / St. Ulrich Sarteur. From there it’s 9 minutes walk to the gondola.
If you’re staying in Ortisei, take a look at this map of bus routes in the town.
For more information on local buses in Val Gardena visit Val Gardena official website.
Overview of different trails
If you’re looking for an easy and fast way to visit Seceda Ridgeline, you only have two options – a gondola either from Col Raiser or Ortisei. However, if you want to hike all the way, there’s a plenty of hiking trails you can choose.
In the paragraphs below, we’ll share more details about the different cable car options as well as the Seceda hike we did.
Option 1: Col Raiser – Fermeda – Seceda Ridgeline
The first option to reach Seceda Ridgeline requires some hiking. From the parking lot, you have to take the Col Raiser Gondola, walk for 20 minutes to the Fermeda Chairlift, and then hike for another 10 minutes to get to one of the famous viewpoints in the Italian Dolomites.
Let’s take a look at each section below.
Col Raiser Gondola
The first step is taking the gondola. It opens at 8:30 every day. We spent a night at the parking lot, and we were awake before 7 am. Cars already started to arrive early, and the first tourists were waiting at the ticket office at 8 am.
Thinking we would be the first ones to ride up was far from the truth.
Buying the tickets in advance is not necessary. We simply lined up in the queue and got our tickets right before the ride.
We bought the return tickets and headed to the gondola. We rode over the forest with mountain views slowly appearing both in the front and the back. The views along the ride are stunning and incredibly photogenic.
When we looked below, we could see the hiking trail – an alternative to get to the top. We will talk about this option in a second.
Before long, we found ourselves at the upper station surrounded by fairy-tale-like meadows full of blooming flowers.
From there, we decided to hike for the rest of the day. But you can take Fermeda Chairlift instead.
Bicycles are not allowed. Dog ticket costs 5€.
Make sure to check the current operating hours and prices at colraiser.it.
| Summer operating dates | Operating hours | Ticket price return / one-way |
| 17.05. – 15.06.2024 | 08:30 – 17:00 | ADULT 30€ / 20€ |
| 16.06.-15.09.2024 | 08:30 – 17:30 | JUNIOR (6-13) 17€ / 13€ |
| 16.09.-03.11.2024 | 08:30 – 16:30 | Under 6y FREE |
Fermeda Chairlift
Once we got off, we kept walking north. Soon we saw the first signposts. Follow to sign to Sessellift Seceda. The trail is the same for the chairlift and Seceda ridgeline for a few minutes. Soon, we got to a crossroad, where we turned right towards Fermeda Hut.
However, to reach the Sessellift Fermeda, you have to keep walking straight. No worries, there is a sign showing you the right way.
This whole walk between cable cars takes 20 minutes, and it’s 1.2km long. However, it’s an easy trail with no elevation gain.
Fermeda operates from late June, so if you’re coming in May or early June, you should choose option 2 from Ortisei instead. After a short ride, you’ll find yourself at the top only a few minutes from the Seceda viewpoint.
You can take both dog and a bike with you for additional 5€.
The most up-to-date information on Fermeda Chairlift can be found at valgardena.it.
| Summer operating dates | Operating hours | Ticket price |
| 22.6.-22.9.2024 | 09:30 – 16:30 | ADULT 22€ / 15€, JUNIOR (8-15) 14€ / 10€, under 8y FREE |
Getting to Seceda Ridgeline
Once you get off the cable car, you’ll immediately see where to go. The viewpoint is located right in front of you, slightly towards the left. It’s always busy, so just follow the other tourists if you’re not sure.
Option 2: Ortisei – Furnes – Seceda Ridgeline
The second option is a perfect choice for those who do not want to hike at all. You can take two cable cars which will take you all the way to the top. This is the most popular option to reach Seceda.
The ticket price is cheaper (at 45€ for a round-trip) than option 1 where you would pay 52€ for a round-trip.
The most recent information about Val Garden cable cars can be found at valgardena.it.
Ortisei Gondola
Bike transport costs 7€ and a dog ticket is 5€.
| Summer operating dates | Operating hours | Ticket price return / one-way |
| 11.05. – 08.06.2024 | 08:30 – 17:00 | ADULT 32€ / 21€ |
| 09.06.-13.10.2024 | 08:30 – 18:00 | JUNIOR (8-14) 14.7€ / 12.4€ |
| 14.10.-03.11.2024 | 08:30 – 17:00 | Under 7y FREE |
Furnes Chairlift
The gondola end at the same spot where the chairlift starts. That means there’s no need to walk anywhere. You will end up in the same spot as when taking the Fermeda Chairlift – only a few minutes from the main viewpoint.
Since we didn’t use this option and we didn’t take the Fermeda Chairlift, I am not sure if you can buy a separate ticket for the chairlift and gondola. We only found an option to buy a combined ticket which includes both.
The adult round trip costs 45€ and the one-way ticket is 30€. Junior ticket (8-15) is 23€ return and 15€ one-way. Children under 8 years are free.
Bike transport is possible on both for 5€ or 7€. The dog ticket price is 5€.
If you’re gonna spend more time in Val Gardena and use multiple cable cars, you can purchase the Garden Card. It includes 3 or 6 consecutive days of using the cable cars.
| Summer operating dates | Operating hours |
| 31.05.-06.07.2024 | 08:30 – 17:30 |
| 07.07.-24.08.2024 | 08:30 – 18:00 |
| 25.08.-13.10.2024 | 08:30 – 17:30 |
| 14.10.-03.11.2024 | 08:30 – 16:30 |
Getting to Seceda Ridgeline
Once you get to the upper station, you only need to walk for 15 minutes to get to the Seceda viewpoint. However, the hill is a bit steeper. On the left side, there is a viewing platform offering incredible views of nearby Dolomite peaks.
Option 3: Col Raiser gondola + round hike
When we visited Seceda, we chose this option for two reasons – it’s the cheapest way, and it’s a beautiful round-hike which took us along a few mountain huts, Seceda Ridgeline, and lovely alpine meadows.
Since we were hiking a lot during this holiday, we decided to make it easier and took the Col Raiser gondola. However, if you want to save even more or if you simply want to hike all the way up, you can skip it completely.
The hike from Santa Cristina adds 560m of elevation gain, 3.5km, and 2 hours of walking (all one-way) to the hike described below.
Col Raiser – Seceda Ridgeline – Col Raiser hike stats
Duration: 3 hours (only walk)
Distance: 7.8 km
Elevation gain: 426 m
Difficulty: easy
Hiking Trail
Section 1 – From Col Raiser to Seceda
After getting off the Col Raiser gondola, we had to walk around Almhotel Col Raiser and turn left. This is where we saw the first hiking signs. The trail number we followed was 4A. The whole route is signposted, and we simply kept following the route to Seceda.
The first destination was Fermeda Hütte, from where we continued to Baita Daniel and Mastle. This whole section was rather easy, with little elevation gain. We walked across beautiful meadows and enjoyed lovely views all around. To our surprise, we only met a few people.
After Mastle, the trail got steeper. We started zig-zagging across the hill, passing two more huts – Rifugio Sofie and Rifugio Seceda. The latter is also the upper station of Furnes chairlift. We joined groups of tourists here and walked across a ridge.
On the left side, we could see views of the valley and nearby mountains. From here, the walk to the viewpoint was a bit strenuous. What kept us going was knowing that this was the last ascent of the day.
Section 2 – Seceda Viewpoint and Seceda Ridgeline
Finding the famous viewpoint was not hard at all. It’s so popular that all we had to do was follow the crowd. It led us to a very small meadow with views of mind-blowing rugged ridge of Seceda in front of us. The meadow was full of beautiful purple flowers.
Since there’s not much space, it can get very crowded. Be careful when walking around, especially if you have kids. While this spot is not exactly dangerous, there’s a huge drop on the left side.
After enjoying the well-deserved views and taking some photos, we moved on to the ridge. We didn’t do much research before coming here so we didn’t know there’s a trail at the top of the ridge.
It is a narrow path and the slope on the right side is very steep in some sections. On the left side, there’s a huge dangerous drop ending in the valley far below. But the railings on the side provide at least some peace of mind while crossing the ridge.
We had perfect weather with dramatic clouds coming and going all the time. On the right side we could see the valley dotted with mountain huts and covered in hiking trails. Once we reached the end of the trail, it was time to start our descent.
Section 3 – Seceda Ridgeline to Col Raiser
At the end of the trail on the ridge there’s a huge sign saying that you should not continue further. There is another path, which took us back down to the valley. I must admit it was a bit hard on our knees, since the trail is steep.
We followed the trail down to Malga Troier. The hut was full of life, with many tourists enjoying a cold beer on this hot and sunny day. From the hut, we walked back to Col Raiser Gondola station. It took us around 40 minutes including a view quick stops.
You can also hike down to the parking lot from there, but we took a cable car.
Which trail to choose
I think choosing between option 3 and the rest is easy. Either you want to hike or not. If you have time and energy for it, I would say you won’t regret it. Seeing Seceda ridgeline is the highlight of this trip, but the whole area is incredibly beautiful.
If you don’t plan to do the whole hike, you should definitely walk along the ridgeline at least.
If you can’t decide whether to go from Col Raiser or Ortisei, I would say to choose the latter. The reason is that the second chairlift from Col Raiser, the Fermeda chairlift, is not always in operation. the cost also differs, but otherways it’s almost the same.
No matter which option you choose, you can expect stunning views over Dolomites along the way.
Packing Tips
What to wear where hiking Seceda
You know how quickly the weather can change if you visit mountains often. Because of this, we recommend a few layers. Even on a hot sunny day, bring a jacket in case it gets cold. A raincoat is always a good idea, too.
Packing essentials
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat / sunglasses
- Raincoat
- Food and water (but there are many mountain huts everywhere)
Where to eat
If you only use the cable cars, you can get some food at Rifugio Seceda, or Rifugio Sofie if you don’t mind walking a little extra.
If you’re going to use the Fermeda chairlift, you can also eat at Baita Cuca, Malga Nëidia Hütte, or Baita Odles.
You will pass a few more mountain huts when choosing the round hike. Almost all of them are open during the summer months and serve delicious food and drinks with great views!
As you can see there’s a lot of choice, so you don’t need to worry about being hungry.
Best time to visit Seceda Ridgeline
Summer is definitely the best season to visit Seceda ridgeline. It’s when all the cable cars are in operation and mountain huts are open, too. Check the opening dates for different cable cars to avoid trouble if coming in the early summer months or in autumn.
During the autumn and spring, most cable cars are gonna be out of service at least for a few weeks. Mountain huts are also closed at this time. If that’s okay for you, it can be interesting to experience Seceda in autumn colors. But keep in mind that there might be snow in the higher areas.
If you’re considering coming in winter, this area turns into a huge ski resort. Skiing is one of the best things to do here. But if you only want to see the famous ridge, snowshoes or crampons are a must! Cable cars are in operation, but make sure to check the operating hours.
Best time of the day
No matter what time of the day you come, there’s always gonna be a lot of people. Also, the fact that the parking lot is full before 9 am is proof of that.
However, the weather is usually better around noon than in the morning, which is often foggy. On the other hand, starting early in the morning gives you enough time to enjoy your day either in this area or visit some other places nearby.
If you’re thinking about sunrise or a sunset at the ridge, it’s only possible if you hike up from the parking lot or if you spend the night in one of the huts in the area.
Frequently asked questions
If you use the cable cars, the hike to Seceda Ridgeline only takes 15 minutes. But if you wish to hike up from the Col Raiser parking, it’s gonna take around 3.5 – 4 hours without breaks. A great alternative is to take the Col Raiser gondola and hike from there, which is only a 2-hour hike.
Definitely! Seceda is a must if you’re traveling to Dolomites. The incredible unusually sharp ridge will take your breath away. And there are many hiking trails in the area, too.
Photographers will certainly love sunrise or a sunset. But you would have to book a stay in the area, since cable cars are not in operation. Or hike through the night. Otherwise, we recommend noon, when the sky is often clear in the summer.
The hike from Santa Cristina takes more than 4 hours, and it’s a 6.8 km trail. Since the elevation gain is 971 m, this hike is a moderate one. You certainly need some level of fitness to do it.
There are two different options you can choose, and they take between 15 – 20 minutes. The cable car from Col Raiser goes all the way to the top of Seceda, and it takes 20 minutes. However, you can enjoy breathtaking scenery during the whole journey.
Best day tours to Dolomites
If you want to have the perfect holiday but don’t have time or energy for all the planning and preparation, we listed some of the best Dolomites tours below.
- Private Dolomites roadtrip from Bolzano – A day packed with the best highlights such as Pordoi Pass, Marmolada Glacier, majestic Sassolungo, or cable car to Sasso Pordoi. But that’s not all!
- The best of Dolomites in one day from Bolzano – This tour covers all the best spots such as Karersee, Passo Pordoi, Cortina, Dobiacco, and Lago di Braies.
- Dolomites day trip from Venice – Visit Dolomites easily from Venice. Stop at Lago di Auronzo, Cortina, Lake Misurina, and more.
Final thoughts on Seceda Ridgeline hike in Dolomites
Visiting Seceda was an incredible experience which we enjoyed! So if you’re planning a trip to the Dolomites, this place certainly deserves a spot in your itinerary.
Mesmerizing views, countless mountain huts, stunning peaks, and beautiful lakes. What else can one wish for when visiting a destination like the Italian Dolomites? And Seceda has it all.
