9.2 km
Distance
3h 30min
Duration
+90 m / −530 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
June–October
Season
A loop that runs almost entirely downhill along the Seceda ridges, with the Odle alongside the whole way. It passes the Regensburger Hütte and closes at Col Raiser, where the cable car takes you back down.
The Seceda is the mountain everyone has seen in photographs: a prow of rock rising above the meadows and cutting into the sky. You get there effortlessly by cable car from Ortisei, and from the top a loop begins that drops gently along the ridges, passes two mountain huts and finishes at Col Raiser. There is barely any climbing: you walk downhill almost the whole way, with the Odle alongside throughout.
Highlights
The ridge towards Forcella Pana
The first section is the most photographed in South Tyrol, and also the most airy: you walk along the crest of the mountain, with the valley falling away on both sides. There are no difficult passages, but the wind up here can be cold even in August.
The Regensburger Hütte
Built by the Florence branch of the Italian Alpine Club at the end of the nineteenth century, it is known in Italian as Rifugio Firenze. It sits in a grassy hollow below the Odle and makes the natural halfway stop.
Getting there
The starting point is the top station of the Ortisei–Seceda cable car. The loop closes at Col Raiser, from where the gondola drops to Santa Cristina and a local bus returns you to Ortisei. If you are staying nearby, a car transfer from your hotel to the trailhead is included.
Good to know
The lifts run to seasonal timetables and close in the early afternoon out of season: check the last ride down before setting off.
The final descent to Col Raiser is steep in places: poles make a real difference to your knees.
Routes may change according to trail and weather conditions.
The route, stage by stage
-
From Piz Seceda to Forcella Pana
Trail no. 6
You leave the top station and pick up the ridge path straight away. It is the most panoramic stretch of the whole loop, with the valley opening on both sides.
-
Towards the Pieralongia Alm
Trails no. 1 and 2B
From the saddle the path drops towards the high pastures, with a few short stone stairways. The surface is good throughout and waymarking is frequent.
-
To the Regensburger Hütte
Trails no. 2B and 13B
A gentle descent to the hollow where the hut stands, at the foot of the Odle. This is the halfway stop.
-
From the hut to Col Raiser
Trail no. 4
The only uphill section of the loop, a gentle rise through the forest. At Col Raiser the loop closes and the gondola takes you down to Santa Cristina.
Stops and refreshments
- Regensburger Hütte
- Halfway along, below the Odle. Mountain-hut cooking, worth booking in high season.
- Baita Odles
- At Col Raiser, at the end of the loop. There is a meadow set up for those bringing a packed lunch.
- Pieralongia Alm
- A short stop on the way down.
What to bring
Day hikes- Hiking boots with a lugged sole
- Trekking poles, useful on the long final descent
- Windproof jacket: the ridge wind is cold even in summer
- A warm spare layer
- Water, at least 1.5 litres per person
- Hat, sunglasses and sun cream
