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Dolomites (Ortisei, Val Gardena)
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Dolomites (Ortisei, Val Gardena)

Jagged Peaks, Alpine Meadows and the Seceda Ridge

Plan this trip
3 daysIdeal stay₹13,850From / night₹3,410Food / day₹5,330Entry

The heart of the Dolomites in German-speaking South Tyrol: Ortisei in Val Gardena, with cable cars up to the Seceda ridge and the Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest high meadow. Summer (mid-June to September) is for hiking with the lifts running; December to early April for skiing on the Sella Ronda. Lifts close for a gap in November and from April to mid-May. Reached by bus from Bolzano, the nearest main-line station.

Highlights

  • Seceda ridge by cable car
  • Alpe di Siusi meadow walks
  • Sella Ronda ski circuit (winter)
  • Lago di Braies day trip
  • Val di Funes and the Santa Maddalena view
  • Woodcarving in Ortisei
  • Christmas market in Bolzano

Things to do

  • Seceda cable car and ridge walkJun–OctMorning · 5h
  • Alpe di Siusi meadow hikeMorning · 5h
  • Lago di Braies and Val di Funes driveMorning · 8h
  • Ski day on the Sella RondaDec–MarMorning · 6h
  • Ortisei village and woodcarving shopsAfternoon · 2h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: June – September, December – March

Worth knowing

Dolomites Between Seasons: Lifts Closed

The cable cars and many hotels close between the ski and hiking seasons: in 2026 the summer lifts ran from mid-May (most from June; the Sella Ronda circuit 13 June-27 September) to 8 November, and Val Gardena's winter lifts open on 4 December 2026 and run to 4 April 2027. In late April, May and November the high trails are under snow or mud and the valleys are quiet. Come from mid-June to September for hiking, or December to March for skiing.

Heads up

Dolomites Ski Season

December to March is ski season: the high passes can close after snowfall, hiking trails are under snow, and hotels fill and raise prices over Christmas, New Year and February. Book well ahead, carry chains or winter tyres if driving (required by law on many mountain roads from mid-November to mid-April), and allow extra time on the buses.

  • Christmas markets in the Dolomites — Bolzano's Christmas market, Italy's best known, and smaller ones in Ortisei and the valley towns run from late November to early January, with mulled wine, wooden crafts and South Tyrolean food. The ski season opens in early December, so hotels fill from then.