Seceda Cable Car — Local services in Salten-Schlern - Salto-Sciliar

Seceda Mountain – Getting Lost, Finding Something Better September 22, 2024

We left Hotel Terme Antico Bagno after a breakfast that could make you want to linger—fresh bread, cheeses, cured meats, fruit, coffee strong enough to wake the dead—and pointed the car toward Seceda Mountain. Or so we thought. In my haste as navigator, I punched “Seceda Mountain” into the GPS without thinking, and off we went, winding through a string of Alpine towns so absurdly beautiful they almost felt staged. Each one had its own personality, marked by a roundabout that could’ve been ripped from a postcard: fountains, statues, clocks, all dripping with flowers so colorful they hurt your eyes.

Somewhere in the middle of this, we blew past Funivie Seceda—our actual ticket to the top—and kept climbing. The road turned mean, switchbacks so tight you could smell your own exhaust, until we reached a tiny parking lot and a trailhead with a sign that simply read “Seceda” and an arrow pointing up. No cable cars in sight. Just a steep path into the woods and the realization that we’d overshot. So back down we went, retracing our path to the lift station like the rookies we’d momentarily become.

Two cable cars take you from the valley floor to the top. You board from a rotating platform—think the Sky Ride at Cedar Point, if it had been built for people wearing ski boots and carrying backpacks. These aren’t delicate little tourist gondolas. They’re big, enclosed, and built to move a crowd. Efficient, unapologetic.

The ride up is worth the price of admission alone. The Dolomites don’t so much appear as erupt—towering spires, rolling meadows, and valleys that seem impossibly far below. At the top, Seceda is pure theater: cliffs dropping straight into the clouds, ridges serrated like dragon’s teeth, and trails that tempt you to see just how close to the edge you’re willing to stand. My ankle, still tender from a hiking mishap months earlier, wasn’t exactly thrilled about the terrain, but I wasn’t missing this.

Some folks were talking about going beyond the marked boundaries to walk the ridgeline. The locals, in that matter-of-fact Alpine way, said it wasn’t safe. And when a local tells you not to do something in the mountains, you listen.

Chalets dot the landscape, each one a promise of beer, hot food, and shelter from the wind. We wandered down to one and settled in for an alpine lunch—hearty, simple, perfect. Beer in tall glasses, apple strudel that tasted like someone’s grandmother still made it from scratch. The woman running the place was a schoolteacher once, until a weekend ski trip three years ago. The man who came to collect her bags from the cable car ended up being her partner, and now she spends nine months a year up here, cooking, pouring drinks, and greeting hikers from all over the world. He grew up in that chalet.

That’s the thing about travel—you come for the mountains, the food, the views. But what stays with you are the stories. The people who trade city life for a windblown ridge, who find love in a bag drop, who build their lives in the shadow of these impossible peaks. And if you’re lucky, you get to hear those stories over a beer, with the Dolomites stretched out in front of you like they...

Funivie Seceda Spa offers an enchanting escape into the heart of the Dolomites that left me utterly captivated. Nestled amidst the awe-inspiring Alpine landscapes, this mountain retreat promises an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blends adventure, serenity, and natural beauty.

As I ascended in the cable car towards Seceda, the breathtaking vistas that unfolded before me were nothing short of breathtaking. The towering peaks, lush valleys, and pristine meadows created a visual symphony that stirred my soul. The journey itself became a part of the adventure, setting the stage for the wonders that awaited at the summit.

Upon arriving at Seceda, I found myself surrounded by a pristine wilderness that felt like a sanctuary of tranquility. The network of hiking trails allows you to immerse yourself in the grandeur of nature, with each step offering a new perspective on the Dolomites' majestic beauty. Whether it was the panoramic views or the delicate wildflowers dotting the landscape, every moment felt like a gift.

Funivie Seceda Spa goes beyond the ordinary by providing essential comforts amidst the wilderness. The cozy mountain huts and charming refuges provide a haven of warmth and hospitality. Savoring traditional Alpine cuisine while soaking in the remarkable scenery was a sensory delight that heightened the overall experience.

One of the highlights of my visit was witnessing the sunset from Seceda. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the peaks, I was reminded of the sheer wonder that nature holds. It was a moment of pure magic that left me feeling connected to the universe.

The team at Funivie Seceda Spa adds a personal touch to the experience. Their dedication to ensuring visitors have a memorable stay is evident in their warm interactions and attention to detail. Their passion for the Dolomites shines through, making the visit even more enriching.

Funivie Seceda Spa is a haven of serenity, a place where time seems to slow down, and the majesty of the mountains envelops you. Whether you're an avid hiker, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking a retreat into nature's embrace, this mountain sanctuary offers an escape that rejuvenates the spirit and leaves you with cherished memories that will...

Today I had a terrible experience at the Seceda cable car. I was treated very badly by a rude employee. I have some friends that went there a couple of years ago and they told me that the cable car makes a stop in the middle, and that I shouldn't get off there and stay in the car to go all the way up. But when I stayed in the car on the first stop, I realized that the cable car was going down instead of continuing to go up. So when I went down, I stayed in the cable car to go up again. That was when the employee told I should get off the cable car and leave the place. I asked if I could come in again if I went out and he said yes. But my ticket didn't allow me go in again. I explained him that I didn't get off the cable car in the middle station because I thought I should stay there to go to the highest part. But he was very unpolite to me, saying that the ticket was supposed to be used only one time. But why would I go down only to imidiately go up again in the first place? It was an honest mistake. And it was not like the place was crowded. It was quite the opposite, it was empty since it was around 4 p.m. So it wouldn't be so hard to let me go up again since I paid a very expensive price to go all the way up to enjoy the view up there. Eventually, the employee talked to another guy, who let me go up. But not without making me cry because of the disrespectful way I was treated. I cried all the way up, which ruined the trip for me. I was alone there and I'm not fluent in English. Besides, there wasn't any sign saying there was another cable car to get to the highest part of the mountain. I think they should treat tourists better since we spend a lot of money there. All I wanted was to be treated...