The Odle from two sides: the idea behind this tour
The Odle, Geisler in German, are the spires that divide Val Gardena from Val di Funes, in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites. This private tour shows them from two sides: in the morning from above, on the grassy ridge of Seceda, and in the afternoon from below, from the meadows of Val di Funes.
They are two of the most photographed views in the Alps, yet they sit in two different valleys, and fitting a cable car, car parks and mountain roads into one day is not straightforward. With a private driver the day simply flows: we drop you at the cable car, meet you there when you come down and take you to Val di Funes when the light is at its best.
The whole loop is about 130 km: roughly 35–40 km from Bolzano to Ortisei along the Isarco valley, about 40 km from Ortisei to Val di Funes, and 45–50 km back to Bolzano via Chiusa. A little over two hours of driving in total; the rest of the day belongs to the mountains.
Suggested itinerary, hour by hour
- Pick-up in BolzanoThrough the Isarco valley to Val Gardena.
- Ortisei, cable car to SecedaTwo lifts to 2,500 m. We handle the tickets.
- Seceda ridge walkThirty gentle minutes to the panoramic edge over the Odle. Coffee at the hut.
- Lunch in OrtiseiWood-carvers’ village, pedestrian centre.
- Val di FunesSan Giovanni in Ranui, the tiny church beneath the Odle.
- Santa Maddalena viewpointA short walk to the most painted view in the Dolomites.
- Return to BolzanoVia Chiusa and the Isarco valley.
The Seceda lifts close for a few weeks between seasons (usually in spring and autumn): we check opening dates before confirming and otherwise suggest the Alpe di Siusi version.
Seceda: the cable car, the ridge and practical tips
The ride starts in Ortisei, a few minutes’ walk from the village centre. A gondola takes you to Furnes, where you change to the cable car that climbs to about 2,500 m. At the top you reach the edge of the ridge, with the Odle straight ahead and the Sassolungo and the Sella group on the horizon.
The walk to the viewpoint takes about half an hour on an easy path with a few short climbs. At 2,500 m it is noticeably cooler than in the valley, even in August, so bring a light jacket and shoes with a good grip. Clouds tend to build in the afternoon, which is why we go up in the morning.
The Seceda meadows are farmland on the edge of the Puez-Odle Nature Park. In the busiest summers the landowners have protested about visitor numbers, even asking for a contribution on one stretch of path. The situation can change from year to year: we update you before the trip, and we always stay on the marked trails.
Val di Funes: Ranui and Santa Maddalena
In the afternoon we head back down to the Isarco valley and, just past Chiusa, climb into Val di Funes, the valley where Reinhold Messner grew up. It is a quiet farming valley, with farmsteads scattered across the slopes and the Odle closing the view at its head.
The little baroque church of San Giovanni in Ranui, built in 1744 with an onion-domed tower, stands in the meadows of a private farm. The meadows are fenced, the interior rarely opens, and in recent years the owners have asked for a small contribution for the viewing area: these are their rules, and we respect them.
The viewpoint above Santa Maddalena is a short uphill walk, about half an hour from the village, to the bench that looks over the church with the Odle behind it. In the late afternoon the low sun lights up the peaks, which is why the day ends here.
Why take a private driver rather than the bus or a hire car
Both Seceda and Val di Funes can be reached by train and bus, but with several changes and timetables to match up: doing both in one day becomes a rush. By hire car, parking in Ortisei is scarce, to the point that the cable car operator itself recommends public transport, and in Val di Funes the car parks near the viewpoints are small and often charge a fee.
With us you step out right at the valley station and are collected there again. You travel in a clean, well-kept black Mercedes V-Class for up to 7 guests, with Ferjy, who speaks English, Italian, German and French. This is our private driver service from Bolzano: for a full day across two valleys it is simpler than a taxi, with a fixed price per vehicle agreed in advance.
- Pick-up at your hotel in Bolzano, Val Gardena or anywhere in South Tyrol
- Cable car tickets paid on site, with our help buying them
- Lunch in Ortisei, at a restaurant or a mountain hut, booked on request
- Child seats on request
- Enquiries by WhatsApp or through the form on our site
When to go and who the tour suits
The Seceda lifts have a summer season that normally runs from late May to early November, with dates set each year by the operator. We offer the tour from June to October, when the ridge is usually free of snow. July and August are the busiest months; June and September often bring more calm and clearer skies.
In winter Seceda is a ski area and the ridge walk is not an option, so in those months we suggest a winter version with Alpe di Siusi and Val Gardena. The tour suits families and guests who prefer not to walk far, because both walks are optional and can be shortened.
