Seceda Ridge – A Peak Straight Out of a Painting
BY ALEX
5 MIN READ
LAST UPDATE
JUL 04, 2025
Creasta Seceda – Un versant desprins din pictură
There are places that look like they’ve been painted by hand. Seceda is one of them. Our first hike in the Dolomites greeted us with jagged peaks, lush green meadows, and a sky that can shift from clear to dramatic in minutes. It all starts with a simple wish: to stand on the edge of these ridges, capture them in photos, and let the mountains embrace you.
📍 Trail Details
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 4 hours round trip
Elevation gain: ~470 m
Distance: 8 km
Markings: Well-defined paths and clear signs
Starting point: Col Raiser cable car station – Santa Cristina, Val Gardena
Access: Paid parking next to the cable car
🗺️ Trail Description
Our first day in the Dolomites started with Seceda — the place where you truly feel what it means to hike among the clouds. To reach the ridge, we had three options:
1️⃣ hike all the way up,
2️⃣ take the cable car directly from Ortisei,
3️⃣ or combine the cable car with a scenic hike, starting from Col Raiser in Santa Cristina, Val Gardena.
We chose the third option, so we could enjoy both the ride and the trail. Right next to the cable car station there’s a paid parking lot — no worries about where to leave your car. The round-trip tickets cost 40€ per person (plus 5€ for Snow). The cable ride up to Col Raiser takes just 12 minutes and drops you off at 2,106 meters altitude.
Right after stepping off, you pass Almhotel Col Raiser, a hotel with a terrace (which was closed when we were there).
After another 10 minutes of easy walking, a sign points you up a steeper path to the first viewpoint — where the landscape simply takes your breath away. In front of you opens the majestic Odle mountain chain, a dreamlike backdrop that makes you pull out your camera and capture every angle.
From this first viewpoint, we continued our climb to Seceda’s peak. We still had about 400 meters of elevation to go, and the entire hike added up to a total ascent of 470 meters over 8 km (round trip), taking us about 4 hours in total.
We were in the Puez Odle Natural Park, part of the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage site. As far as the eye could see, soft green meadows — sprinkled here and there with patches of snow (we went on June 2nd) — covered the valleys at an average altitude of 2,500 meters. To protect the flora and fauna, all paths are carefully marked and equipped with railings, fences, bridges, steps, and walkways — giving you no reason to stray from the trail.
We took dozens of photos of these stunning views, stopping often to catch our breath. The climb got tougher as we gained altitude — you could feel the pressure, and the cold wind came in gusts. The weather was on our side though: it rained lightly but nothing serious. All the way up, we did nothing but admire the scenery, take photos, and promise ourselves we’d come back here again.
🌄 Highlights
Odle viewpoint: the first place you absolutely have to stop and shoot.
Seceda Ridge: the iconic spot with jagged peaks and rolling green meadows.
Alpine flora: wildflowers and snow patches creating beautiful contrasts.
Hidden corners: side paths that give you unique panoramic frames.
🎒 Recommended Gear
Waterproof hiking boots
Windstopper jacket + fleece
Water and snacks
Rain cover for your backpack
Camera
🗝️ Tips & Tricks
Check Col Raiser cable car schedule in advance.
The Ortisei option is faster but skips the hiking portion.
Early morning light is best and fewer crowds.
Weather changes fast — bring rain gear and an extra warm layer.
✅ Conclusion
Seceda is one of the Dolomites’ most breathtaking ridges. If you want unforgettable views and a trail that truly takes your breath away, this is the place.
Watch the vlog here and explore the full photo gallery.
With light,
Alex Gabor
jurnalulf56.com
🌲 Let your steps and your gaze rise. That’s where the real silence begins.
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