The Seceda ridgeline is one of those places in the Dolomites that you’ve seen before online and just have to see for yourself. This jagged wave of mountain is iconic and definitely not to be missed. While it’s not that difficult to visit, there are many options to consider for your trip!
Post Index:
- Cable Car Options
- How to visit for sunset or sunrise
- Details about the hike from Rifiguio Firenze / Col Raisier
The easiest ways to visit this mountain:
Option 1: Most affordable
Take the Seceda cable car from Ortisei (up and down).
This cable car way involves a little uphill walking. It is not as easy as the next option but it is cheaper since it involves one ticket and the walk/ “hike” is very short
Seceda Gondola info:
Click here for updated time schedules and to buy tickets:
2022 costs for reference:
- Adult/junior roundtrip: $37/$19
- Adult/junior oneway (up or down) $27/$14
- Parking cost: $10/day (approx)
*Junior is age 8-16. Children under the age of 8 are free.
Photos from the Col Raisier lift and trail close by on the way to the Rifugio Hut
Option 2: The easiest AND most scenic way:
Take the Col Raiser Gondola then walk a short easy way to the Fermeda chair lift. This chair lift takes you directly to the photo spot. You can take the chair lift back down OR take the trail to Rifugio Firenze. The views are striking the entire hike and it is all downhill (though some segments are steep so if you have any trouble with steep downhill, please know your limits) After a visit to Rifugio Firenze for lunch (or the night!) take the Col Raiser gondola back down to S. Cristina.
Col Raisier Gondola info:
Click here for updated time schedules and to buy tickets:
2022 costs for reference:
- Adult/junior roundtrip: $25/$16
- Adult/junior oneway (up or down) $17/12
- *Junior is age 6-13. Children under the age of 6 are free.
- Parking cost: $10/24 hours
Fermeda chairlift info:
Click here for updated time schedules and to buy tickets:
- Adult/junior roundtrip: $19/12
- Adult/junior oneway (up or down) $12/8
- *Junior is age 8-16. Children under the age of 8 are free.
But wait- do you want to visit Seceda for sunset or sunrise?….. Or both?
All of the listed cable cars only run between 9-6 or so depending on the season so to visit during the golden hours, you’ll need to plan a bit more in advance.
Option 1: Sunset (what we did)
Take the Col Raisier gondola during their opening hours and stay overnight at Rifugio Firenze. You must checkin before dinner time. Once you check in at the hut, let them know you won’t need dinner and start your hike up to the photo spot for sunset. More details on the hike below.
OR if you are early enough, you could hike back to the Fermeda chairlift and take that up oneway and just hike back down in the dark…. but you’d be missing some beautiful scenery if you go that route. (Obviously, pack some food for dinner)
Read more about staying at Rifugio Firenze (and other huts) in my post here.
Option 2: Sunrise
Take option 1 but instead of sunset photos, enjoy a delicious meal for dinner at the hut and instead hike up for sunrise! Make sure to start your hike 1.5 hours before sunrise to be there in time. After you take gorgeous morning photos, you can either take the Fermeda chairlift down by waiting until 9 or hike back down to the hut/ Col Raiser gondola. (which would be much cheaper saving money on cable cars and more scenic)
Option 3: Easiest but least luxurious
Take either of the Seceda cable car options up and down and tent camp at the summit. This way you can be up there for both sunset and sunrise. Please be aware that free camping is frowned upon in the dolomites so don’t set up anything until it starts to get dark and clean up your camp quick in the morning. Definitely leave no trace and be aware that it is usually VERY windy up there with little wind breaks for cover.
As you can see…. there’s many options that abound depending on your time, budget, and desire for dirt under your boots hiking. As always, comment on this post with any questions you might have and I’ll be glad to help.
Details about the hike to Seceda from Rifugio Firenze:
Distance: 6 miles Roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1550 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3 hours Roundtrip
Trail Description:
The trail starts behind the rifugio and climbs steeply for the first half mile on loose rocky trail. The view ahead is the same craggy peaks that you’ll see at the end but from another angle. The view behind you will be the rifugio nestled in it’s peaceful little valley. As the trail levels off you’ll start to encounter intersections. You can see where you are trying to go so aim up and to the left of the major peaks in front of you. (Generally if you aim to stay high, that’s the best bet)
These are views around Rifugio Firenze. In the right photo you can see the peaks and the faint trail in the middle heading…. up.
Views along the trail just past Rifugio Firenze. As we reached the junction we saw a cute little family of donkeys.
About half way there you will come across the very obvious “wing” rocks. In general this part of the trail is so unique and feels like walking through a fairy tale of moss covered boulders and far off views. Just after that you’ll cross through a lovely donkey farm (make sure to always close any gates behind you!) and then the next steep climb will begin.
This time the steep climb is at least more solid as they’ve put mats down on the trail to help protect it from erosion and provide better footing. The view as you climb only becomes more and more spectacular – a beautiful grassy slope with small farm houses and sheds dotting the landscape.
Again you’ll see the Seceda cable car station which is you end goal so just continue picking paths that lead up to it. Most roads lead to Rome in this case, with a more steep one that climbs to the saddle (but doesn’t have much of a view) or a more gradual one that gains it’s way up the back of the cable car. Either will work.
Once you’re on top by the chair lift station, head toward the cross that marks the summit and you’ll see the best spot to take photos from (without a fence in the way) If you are there for sunset or sunrise no doubt you will see other photographers and maybe some campers around as well. Relax and enjoy the incredible view you climbed 1500 feet for (or more if you skipped all cables). Once you’ve taken all the photos you want, return the same way to the hut.
*Also be aware of the seasonal closures for the cable cars as they often close in the shoulder seasons.
* If you were to do this hike without the Col Raisier Gondola, it would add 1.5 – 2 hours of hiking each way. (almost 2000 more feet of gain from the bottom station of the gondola)
View from the summit left. Views of the ridge from the saddle right.
Final photo dump of photos from the trail:
