When planning a summer trip to the Dolomites, it’s easy to assume that every spectacular viewpoint requires a grueling 4-hour uphill trek. Fortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanks to the region’s world-class lift infrastructure—originally built for winter skiing—Val Gardena is one of the most accessible mountain destinations in Europe. Whether you are traveling with infants, managing mobility restrictions, or simply prefer to enjoy the scenery with a glass of wine in hand rather than a heavy backpack, you can experience the iconic peaks of the Dolomites with almost zero physical exertion.
The Short Answer
You don’t need to be a mountaineer to experience the best of Val Gardena. The most dramatic viewpoints, including the famous Seceda ridgeline and the sweeping meadows of Alpe di Siusi, are accessible via direct cable cars from the valley floor. Once at the top, you’ll find flat, paved, or crushed-gravel pathways, alongside world-class alpine restaurants serving gourmet Tyrolean cuisine right next to the lift stations.
3 Days in Val Gardena: The Perfect Summer ItineraryIf your goal is to “lift-hop” rather than hike, consider purchasing a multi-day summer lift pass (like the Gardena Card). Buying individual round-trip tickets at every gondola can quickly become expensive if you plan to visit a new peak each day.
1. The Seceda Ridgeline: Iconic Views in 5 Minutes
The jagged, iconic teeth of the Fermeda peaks at Seceda are arguably the most photographed geographical feature in the Dolomites. It looks like a location that would take days to hike to, but the reality is much easier.
From the town center of Ortisei, a two-stage cable car system transports you directly to the 2,500-meter summit. When you exit the top station, the famous ridgeline viewpoint is an easy, mostly flat 5-to-10-minute walk away.
Seceda Cable Car
€€Ortisei
How to experience it without hiking:
- Take the Ortisei-Furnes gondola, then transfer to the Furnes-Seceda cable car.
- Walk the short, wide gravel path to the main viewpoint cross.
- Relax at the Restaurant Sofie Hut (located just a few steps from the lift station) for a premium alpine lunch with a sprawling wine list.
2. Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm): Flat Walks and Rolling Meadows
If Seceda is about dramatic vertical cliffs, Alpe di Siusi is about infinite, rolling green meadows. As Europe’s largest high-alpine pasture, it completely changes the scale of the landscape.
The beauty of Alpe di Siusi is its topography: the area features a vast network of wide, relatively flat, and often paved pathways that are perfect for strollers, wheelchairs, or leisurely neighborhood-style walks at high altitude.
The road to Alpe di Siusi is strictly closed to private traffic between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Do not attempt to drive up during the day. Access the plateau via the Mont Sëuc gondola from Ortisei instead.
How to experience it without hiking:
- Take the Mont Sëuc gondola directly from Ortisei.
- Enjoy the immediately accessible paved paths connecting the various mountain huts.
- Stop at the Mont Sëuc Restaurant right at the top station, or take a gentle 10-minute stroll to the nearby Schgaguler Schwaige for local cheese and speck.
3. Resciesa: The Funicular to the Quiet Side
For a slightly quieter, more relaxed atmosphere away from the main Sellaronda crowds, the Resciesa plateau is a hidden gem for non-hikers.
Instead of a suspended gondola, you ride a modern, ground-level funicular train up the mountain from Ortisei. The journey itself is an experience as you glide smoothly through the pine forests.
Funicular Resciesa
€€Ortisei
How to experience it without hiking:
- Take the Resciesa Funicular from Ortisei (the base station is accessible via a series of escalators from the town center).
- At the top, a wide, flat path (Trail No. 35) leads directly toward the Resciesa Hut. It is surrounded by meadows and features plenty of benches to sit and stare across the valley at the Sassolungo mountain.
- The Chalet Resciesa restaurant is located directly at the top station, meaning you can disembark the train and sit down for lunch immediately.
4. Scenic Drives: The Dolomite Passes
If you prefer to let an engine do the climbing, Val Gardena is flanked by two of the most spectacular mountain passes in the world: Passo Sella and Passo Gardena.
You can drive these winding, dramatically engineered roads right from your hotel. Both passes offer numerous pull-off areas where you can park, walk 50 feet, and be surrounded by towering, vertical rock faces.
The Viewpoint Drive Strategy:
- Head up Passo Gardena for views deep into the adjacent Alta Badia valley.
- Park at the top of Passo Sella for neck-craning, straight-up views of the Sassolungo massif.
- Note: These roads are highly popular with cyclists and motorcyclists in the summer, so drive cautiously and go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the mid-day traffic jams.
Sightseeing Drivers
Verified Operators
Our Recommendation
For Families with Strollers: Alpe di Siusi is your absolute best bet. The wide, paved pathways and rolling terrain make navigating with pushchairs a breeze compared to the rocky trails typical of the region.
For the Best Photographers: Don’t miss Seceda. The effort-to-reward ratio of taking the cable car and walking 5 minutes to capture one of the world’s most dramatic mountain profiles is unbeatable.
For a Quiet Escape: Take the Resciesa funicular. It feels slightly more detached from the bustling ski-lift network and offers a more tranquil, forested plateau experience.
Local Insider Tip: When taking cable cars for lunch, remember that many mountaintop huts (Rifugios) still operate as cash-only businesses due to spotty card terminal connections at high altitudes. Always carry some Euros with you when heading up the mountain, even if you don’t plan to stray far from the lift!
