Last updated: August 2026
Seceda was one of the places I most wanted to see in the Dolomites. That jagged wall of the Odle mountains shows up in so many photos of the region that I already had high expectations before the trip, but being there in person turned out to be even better than I had imagined.
I visited Seceda at the end of June 2026, leaving early from San Vigilio di Marebbe and driving to Ortisei. My plan was to arrive close to the cable car's opening time so I could enjoy the mountain before the busiest part of the day.
One of the things I liked most was realizing that you don't need a long hike to reach the best-known views. The cable car drops you off in the upper part of the mountain, and from there you can walk along the viewpoints and trails of the area with the Dolomites around you for almost the entire time.
Quick Facts
- Time needed: about 2 to 3 hours up top
- Main access: cable car from Ortisei
- Price in 2026: €74 round trip for an adult
- Cable car hours in 2026: 8:30am to 6pm
- Best time: in the morning, close to opening
- Difficulty: easy for the main viewpoints, depending on how much you want to walk
In 2026, the combined Ortisei–Furnes + Furnes–Seceda ticket costs €74 round trip for adults. Both lifts run from 8:30am to 6pm during the main summer 2026 season.
Why Visit Seceda?
The landscape is completely different from many other places in the Dolomites.
On one side are open alpine fields and trails; on the other, the Odle mountains appear with that jagged shape that made Seceda so well known.
What struck me most was how the scenery keeps changing as you walk. There isn't just one spot to photograph. As you move away from the cable car arrival point, different angles of the mountains, valleys and pastures appear.
Seceda's viewpoint sits at roughly 2,500 meters of altitude and lets you take in a large part of the Dolomites and other mountain ranges in the region.
Is It Worth Visiting Seceda?
Yes. It was one of the places I enjoyed most in the Dolomites.
The cable car price is steep, especially if you're traveling as a couple or a family, but being able to reach a landscape of this level without a long hike makes Seceda quite different from other attractions in the region.
I'd set aside at least a few hours up there. Just going to the first viewpoint, taking a few photos and heading back to the cable car would mean seeing very little of the place.
It was by walking and changing position that I found some of the views I liked most during the visit.
How to Get to Seceda
The simplest way in is through Ortisei, in Val Gardena.
On my trip, I left San Vigilio di Marebbe around 7am. The drive to Ortisei took roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
Seceda's cable car station is in Ortisei. From there, the climb happens in two stages:
- Ortisei → Furnes: about 10 minutes
- Furnes → Seceda: about 15 minutes
Counting the transfer between the two lifts and some waiting time, I'd allow roughly 25 to 35 minutes to reach the upper section.
I drove, but Seceda's official website warns that parking in Ortisei is limited and recommends public transport when possible. The Piazza S. Antonio stop is about a six-minute walk from the station via the La Curta pedestrian link.
How the Seceda Cable Car Works
To reach the top of Seceda from Ortisei, you use two lifts.
First comes the cabin between Ortisei and Furnes. In Furnes, you need to get off and continue to the second stretch, which climbs up to Seceda.
The transfer is simple and the route is well signposted.
In 2026, the full adult round-trip ticket costs €74. There are also up-only or down-only tickets and separate options for each stretch. Seceda's official website lets you buy the ticket online in advance.
Since the 2026 summer season, access via the Seceda lifts has been organized into fixed 30-minute time slots. Visitors with a standard ticket can still buy it at the ticket office, but if their preferred slot is full, they must use the next available one. To secure a convenient time and avoid waiting, booking online in advance is the safest option. Advance time-slot booking is mandatory for Gardena Card holders.
On my visit, going up early in the morning worked out really well. When I reached the top there was still plenty of room to walk and take photos at a relaxed pace.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Seceda in 2026?
The official 2026 adult price for the full Ortisei–Furnes–Seceda round trip is €74.
The up-only ticket costs €49 and the down-only ticket also costs €49. Children aged 0 to 7.99 travel free when the ticket is purchased together with an accompanying adult's ticket.
I'd double-check the prices on Seceda's official website before the trip, since prices and operating periods can change from one season to the next.
€5 Fee for Seceda's Famous Viewpoint
There's an important detail for anyone visiting Seceda in 2026.
Besides the cable car, private landowners have started charging €5 to access certain paths that lead to the Odle's famous panoramic viewpoint.
This charge is separate from the cable car ticket and shouldn't be confused with an official entrance fee for the whole mountain.
According to information published by ANSA, the charge was reinstated in June 2026 and sparked plenty of discussion in the region. In July, ORF Südtirol also reported a charge on another path used to reach the same photo spot.
Since this situation involves private land and has already changed over time, I'd check the current conditions on Val Gardena's official website before visiting rather than treating the €5 as a permanent rule for all of Seceda.
What to Do When You Get to Seceda
My first recommendation is not to stay only near the cable car arrival area.
It's worth walking toward the viewpoints and watching how the perspective of the mountains changes as you move.
I spent roughly two to two and a half hours in the upper section, without doing any long hike. That was enough time to walk at a relaxed pace, stop for photos and enjoy different views.
If you want to do a longer hike, you can naturally spend much more time in the area.
For me, the main goal was to see Seceda's classic views and enjoy the place without turning the visit into a full-day trek.
How Long to Spend at Seceda
I'd set aside at least 2 to 3 hours up top.
If you just want to reach the main viewpoints, walk a bit and take photos, that's enough.
For anyone planning longer hikes or stops at mountain refuges, Seceda can easily take up a good part of the day.
In my case, two to two and a half hours worked well because I then continued my itinerary toward Val di Funes.
Best Time to Visit Seceda
I'd go again close to the cable car's opening time.
In 2026, the Ortisei–Furnes and Furnes–Seceda lifts start running at 8:30am.
In my experience, being up top between roughly 9am and 11:30am made for a very pleasant visit.
As the morning goes on, more visitors arrive and the photo spots naturally get busier.
Arriving early also lets you make better use of the rest of the day if you want to combine Seceda with another part of the Dolomites.
What to Expect
Seceda takes less physical effort than places like Tre Cime di Lavaredo because you can do almost the entire climb by cable car.
That doesn't mean you'll be standing still.
At the top there are paths, small climbs and areas worth walking to find different perspectives. Even so, you can easily adapt the visit to however much walking you want to do.
For me, the best part was being able to walk without rushing, stop whenever I found an interesting view and keep exploring without having to follow a set trail.
I also wouldn't go focused only on finding the spot for Seceda's famous photo. The whole surrounding landscape deserves attention.
Seceda is also part of my one-day itinerary through Seceda and Val di Funes, where I show how I combined the mountain with Santa Maddalena and San Giovanni in Ranui on the same day.
Practical Tips for Visiting Seceda
- Arrive close to the cable car's opening time if you want to find fewer crowds
- Set aside at least 2 to 3 hours to enjoy the upper section
- Check official prices and hours before the trip
- Bring an extra layer of clothing, since conditions on the mountain can differ from Ortisei
- Wear comfortable shoes even if you don't plan a long hike
- Don't stay only near the cable car station: walk to find other perspectives
- Check before your visit how the charge on the private paths to the famous viewpoint is being applied