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

My family and I took the two gondolas up to the top and LOVED it!! We are at the start of our two weeks in Italy, but we cannot recommend this enough. Read ahead for more details, especially if you have limited mobility while traveling.

We were a group of 6 all at varying degrees of fitness. We dressed warm for cold weather and were grateful we did, since it was certainly colder up too. Those of us who did a little hiking at the top were able to take off some layers due to the warmth of the sun and walking, so it’s nice to bring a backpack to hold layers and water. The first gondola up holds 6 people sitting down and the staff at the ticket counter and running the loading on/off were very helpful for us and especially my dad who walks a little slower with a limp and a cane. The second gondola holds a lot more, (maybe 15-20?) standing up. Both rides are beautiful views. I wasn’t totally sure how much of a view my parents would be able to get at the top since there are some mobility limitations, but almost immediately after exiting the gondola you are met with stunning views! My parents hung out at the restaurant, having drinks and enjoying the view while the other 4 of us did a little hiking.

When you get to the top, you can go up a steep hill on a gravel pathway to see a crucifix, get a view from the other side of the jagged peaks, and/or view distances of other cities and names/elevations of surrounding peaks on a cool round metal thing… not sure if there’s a name for it. It’s also a very steep walk down the other side of you want to keep walking towards the jagged peaks (or you can go back down the gravel side). Instead of gravel, the other side down has interesting shaped cinder-block things in the ground and a railing so you can baby step down with a little more security. The rest of the walk across after that part is a fairly straightforward dirt path that isn’t super wide, sometimes only room for one sometimes for two, easy to step aside on the grass and let someone pass. You can walk all the way back to the start on a dirt path with significantly less elevation change (you can also walk all the way to the jagged peaks on this path if you don’t want to walk up the steep hill to the crucifix/metal thing/alternate view).

I tried to include pictures of the gravel pathway and the cinder block one as well, although they don’t fully capture the pathways. You may be able to see some of the other dirt pathway across in the background. Hopefully...

A Serious Incident at Seceda – July 29, 2025 I visited Seceda on July 29, 2025, with a group of my friends. After taking the cable car up, we looked for a place to sit down and have lunch. There was already a group of people sitting in one area, so we decided to sit nearby. Not long after we had settled down, a car suddenly sped directly toward our group and stopped just inches before hitting us.

But it didn’t end there.

The driver then pressed the accelerator two more times, lunging the vehicle forward again. Some of my friends couldn’t even react in time because we were in the middle of preparing our meal. This wasn’t a joke—this was clearly an attempt to harm us.

Realizing the car was dangerously close to running over my friends, I instinctively hit the car in an attempt to get the driver’s attention and make them stop. When I looked inside, I saw the driver and the passenger laughing.

After that, they parked the car, got out, and acted as if nothing had happened—completely ignoring us. What’s worse is that this group of people, including the driver, appear to work at this location. It was very clear to us that their actions were racially motivated. They targeted our group—Asians—while ignoring the white tourists sitting nearby.

Seceda is a world-renowned tourist destination. People come here from all over the world expecting to have a good experience, but ours was ruined by racist behavior from staff who work here.

I reported the incident to someone who seemed to be a security officer at the site, but I have no idea if any action will be taken. Or maybe, in their eyes, we don't matter because we’re not white.

That’s why I’m posting this—to raise awareness and warn other Asian travelers. I still believe that many Italians are good people. But clearly, some are not. At the very least, staff at tourist destinations should be educated and professional enough not to behave in this way.

I hope this post will have some kind of impact—either by warning other Asian visitors or by prompting action against those responsible. Proper consequences would be more than appropriate for those who committed such a serious and...

Easily accessible via cable car from the village of Ortisei in Val Gardena. The cable car ride itself is an experience, offering sweeping views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Once at the top station, you will be greeted with breathtaking vistas and a variety of trails to explore:

Panoramic Trail Length: 4 km Duration: 1.5-2 hours Difficulty: Easy This short and easy trail is perfect for those looking to enjoy the stunning views without too much exertion. The Panoramic Trail circles the Seceda summit area, providing breathtaking vistas of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Seceda to Rifugio Firenze Length: 6.5 km Duration: 2-3 hours Difficulty: Moderate This trail takes you from the Seceda summit down to Rifugio Firenze. It offers panoramic views of the Dolomites, including the Odle/Geisler peaks, and passes through beautiful alpine meadows. Rifugio Firenze is a great spot to rest and enjoy some local food.

Seceda to Resciesa Length: 8 km Duration: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate This trail leads from Seceda to the Resciesa plateau, offering expansive views of the Dolomites. The hike takes you through meadows, forests, and rocky terrain, making it a varied and scenic route.

Seceda to Col Raiser Length: 5 km Duration: 2-2.5 hours Difficulty: Easy to Moderate This relatively easy hike connects Seceda with Col Raiser. The trail is well-marked and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It’s a great option for families and those looking for a...