The Seceda loop is one of the most scenic hikes in Val Gardena. The cable car from Ortisei whisks you to 2,500 m in minutes, setting you face to face with the unmistakable jagged ridgeline of the Odle Group.
The route unfolds across high-altitude meadows with gentle undulations, ideal for those who want picture-postcard vistas without tackling serious elevation gain.
How to get there — Arrivo funivia Seceda (2.519 m)
The starting point is the top station of the Seceda cable car, at 2,519 m, reached from Ortisei in Val Gardena. Leave the A22 motorway at the Chiusa exit and drive up the SS242 to Ortisei, where it is best to leave the car in the covered car parks in the centre, a stone's throw from the valley station of the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda gondola. The lift climbs in two stages: first the gondola to Furnes, then the cable car that delivers you beneath the spires. It runs roughly from early June to late October, with timetables that change from season to season, so it is worth checking them on the lift operator's website before setting off. In July and August the first morning departures are pure gold: you avoid the queues at the ticket office and reach the ridge while the light is still soft.
The trailhead is in the Val Gardena area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.
Stage by stage
1. From the cable-car station to the ridge
From the top station follow the meadow path to the famous viewpoint on the Seceda ridge, where the Odle peaks plunge dramatically into the valley below.
2. Descent to the huts and return
Continue with a gentle descent towards the alpine huts and refuges in the area, then complete the comfortable loop back to the cable-car station.
When to go & weather
The good window coincides with the cable car season, from June to October, when the meadows above 2,500 m are clear of snow. July and August bring the most settled weather but also the biggest crowds: the Odle ridge is one of the most reproduced postcards in the Dolomites, and by midday it fills up with groups. September changes everything: clearer air, fewer people and the first golden hues on the pastures. By late October the morning cold and an early snowfall can close the lift sooner than expected. The loop is easy (E), but at 2,500 m the weather turns quickly: set off early and keep an eye on the afternoon forecast.
Recommended gear
- Hiking boots or trekking shoes with a well-cut sole
- Windproof jacket and a fleece, because the ridge is almost always windy
- Sunglasses and high-factor sun cream — the altitude burns
- Water and a snack, even though there is no shortage of huts
- Camera or a charged phone for the Odle wall
Useful tips
- Head straight to the ridge viewpoint as soon as you step off the cable car, before the organised coaches arrive
- Descend towards Rifugio Troier and the Alpe di Cisles to complete the loop away from the crowds
- Pack an extra layer: there are several degrees of difference between Ortisei and the ridge
- Make use of the huts in the basin, from the Firenze to the Troier, for a break halfway round
- Note the time of the last cable car down: being stranded at 2,500 m is not the ideal finale
- For the spires, early morning and late afternoon give the most dramatic light
Frequently asked questions
Can you do the Seceda hike without the cable car?
Yes, but it involves more than 1,000 m of ascent from Ortisei, making the route demanding (EE grade) and suitable only for fit, experienced hikers. Most visitors use the cable car.