The Seceda loop is one of the most scenic hikes in Val Gardena. The cable car from Ortisei takes you to 2,500 m in minutes and drops you face to face with the jagged ridgeline of the Odle Group.
The walk runs across high meadows with gentle ups and downs. It is ideal if you want picture-postcard views without serious climbing.
How to get there — Arrivo funivia Seceda (2.519 m)
You start from the top station of the Seceda cable car, at 2,519 m, reached from Ortisei in Val Gardena. Leave the A22 at the Chiusa exit and drive up the SS242 to Ortisei, where it is best to park in the covered car parks in the centre, a short walk from the valley station of the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda gondola. The lift goes up in two stages: first the gondola to Furnes, then the cable car that drops you beneath the spires. It runs roughly from early June to late October, and the timetable changes through the season, so check it on the lift operator's website before you go. In July and August the first morning departures are gold. You skip the queue 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 drop straight into the valley below.
2. Descent to the huts and return
Carry on with a gentle descent towards the alpine huts in the area, then close the easy loop back to the cable-car station.
When to go & weather
The good window matches the cable car season, June to October, once the meadows above 2,500 m are clear of snow. July and August bring the most settled weather and the biggest crowds. The Odle ridge is one of the most reproduced postcards in the Dolomites, and by midday it fills with groups. September changes everything: clearer air, fewer people and the first golden tones on the pastures. By late October the morning cold and an early snowfall can close the lift sooner than you expect. The loop is easy (E), but at 2,500 m the weather turns quickly, so 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 are plenty 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 coaches arrive
- Drop down towards Rifugio Troier and the Alpe di Cisles to finish the loop away from the crowds
- Pack an extra layer. There are several degrees between Ortisei and the ridge
- Use 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 reach the Seceda without the cable car?
Yes, but from Ortisei that means over 1,000 m of ascent. On foot it becomes a demanding hike (EE), one for well-trained legs. Almost everyone takes the cable car.
How long does the Seceda loop take from the cable car?
The classic loop drops down towards Rifugio Troier, the Alpe di Cisles and Rifugio Firenze, then climbs back up towards Col Raiser. It takes 3 to 4 hours at an easy pace, breaks and photos included. If you just walk out along the panoramic ridge and turn back, a couple of hours is enough.
Are dogs allowed on the Seceda loop?
Yes, dogs are fine on the trails and usually on the cable car too, normally on a lead and sometimes with a muzzle. Check the lift's current transport rules and bring plenty of water, because there are few places to let them drink up on the ridge.
Is there phone coverage on the Seceda ridge?
At the top of the cable car and along the ridge the signal usually holds, but it drops in the hollows and behind the rocky steps towards the Alpe di Cisles. Do not rely on your phone alone to navigate: download the track before you set off.