Seceda and the Odle Ridge: A Dolomites Classic

🗺️ Overview

• Start point: Col Raiser base station (1590m)

• Lift route: Col Raiser gondola → short hike → Fermeda chairlift → Seceda summit (2519m)

• Highest point: Seceda 2519

• Elevation gain: +20m / -450m

• Effort level: Easy is using the chairlift. Moderate without.

• Key highlights:

  • Panoramic chairlift ride over alpine pastures

  • Iconic Seceda ridge and Odle view

  • Forcella viewpoint and Pieralongia spire

  • Lunch at Malga Pieralongia

  • Mestlé panoramic point 

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Seceda is one of the most iconic spots in Alto Adige, the German-speaking region of northern Italy. Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, its dramatic ridge draws hikers and photographers from all over the world. This summer, on our way to Nevegal for the holidays, we made a well-deserved stop to explore it.

We initially planned to ascend from Ortisei, but the parking lot that had 2 free spaces when we saw the sign had none by the time we got there. So we changed plans and drove to Col Raiser, another access point to Seceda with a less direct (but actually more scenic!) path.

At Col Raiser (1590m), there's a large parking area, making it a good backup if Ortisei is full. The lifts aren’t cheap, around 104 € for two people to go all the way up to Seceda, but the views make it worth it.

The first lift brings you to the Col Raiser station (2100m), where a restaurant awaits and the Odle peaks are already visible in the distance. From there, our hike began.

Hike to Seceda Ridge

We started along a wide trail behind the restaurant, walking about 10 minutes on mostly flat terrain toward the Fermeda chairlift (bottom station at 2030m). At a junction, we had the choice to hike uphill for 1–1.5 hours or descend for 15 minutes to take the lift. Since Lucia was pregnant, we went for the easier option.

The chairlift ride is stunning: it glides just above a picturesque little alpine church nestled in the pastures — a postcard-perfect scene.

Once at the top (near 2500m), just a short walk brings you to the Seceda summit (2519m). A panoramic platform with a cross and the names of the surrounding peaks awaits, as well as the famous viewpoint over the Odle ridge — the one you’ve probably seen on Instagram.

Descent with a View

We began our descent along the ridge with the Odle peaks towering in front of us — a truly epic view. 

The trail is wide and well-maintained. Initially steep, it eventually flattens. At a fork, the main path goes downhill, but we chose to continue straight towards a forcella at the edge of the Odle for an even closer look.

After the forcella, the trail continues steeply down for another 10 minutes, then joins a larger path. Soon after, another junction gives the option to descend to Malga Trojer, but we went straight toward Pieralongia, a dramatic menhir-like rock spire.

This stretch is narrower but still in good condition, mostly downhill with a short final climb. The Pieralongia rock, hidden all the way behing a ridge, suddenly appears at the end — a striking sight!

Right after that, we reached Malga Pieralongia, a rustic hut set below the Odle wall and just in front of the menhir. We stopped for lunch: polenta coi finferli (with chanterelles) and apple strudel — a well-deserved treat!

The Way Back

After lunch, we continued downhill on a wide but steep path for about 10 minutes. It then leveled out and you reach a gap in the wooden fence, where a sign indicated 30 minutes to Col Raiser.

From here, a scenic section unfolds along a ridge, eventually arriving at the Mestlé panoramic point. Another 20 minutes of downhill walking followed — though we got a bit lost by not following the main trail. To be sure cross the gate when you reach it. But thankfully, more or less all paths lead back to Col Raiser one way or another.