Hello!
I'm finding the areas of Seceda and Alpe di Siusi SOOOOO confusing with regard to all the trails and gondolas/chair lifts. Even with the maps I've found online, usually the detail is just too small to even see clearly. Can anyone recommend an excellent map to see available hiking, biking trails and connecting gondolas, chair lifts, etc?
Thanks!
I felt exactly the same before we started our trip in early June. I felt so unprepared and planned to rely on Airbnb host and TI, but host was out of town and TI closed on Sunday (also closed for lunch on weekdays!) TI in each town are helpful and have very detailed maps, free.
However, my worry went away when I saw the gigantic board, multi color, well illustrated map at the entry and exits of cable car stations. All of a sudden all narratives from numerous trip reports make sense.
From Ortisei, there is a cable car (followed by a second bigger cable car) to go up to Seceda. You will see all numbered trails and maps to show how you can reach other cable cars to go down from other end (like Col Raiser cable to San Cristina town).
From Ortisei, there is a funicular to go to Resciesa. You need to hike a little (2 hrs) to get some view.
Also from Ortisei, there is a cable car to go to Alpe Di Suisi (aka Seiser Alm). When you're up in the mountain meadow of ADS, you can walk to any direction including the one via Compatsch to take another cable down to Suisi (name of a town), then take an hour bus ride to go back to Ortisei.
Look at the sites you want to go, decide how many nights and what passes to buy. It will all work out.
take a look at the "KOMPASS Wanderkarte 076 Gröden, Seiser Alm, Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi" map which I think has what you're looking for
Walking in Val Gardena is a very helpful book by Laurel Barton, a frequent contributor to this forum. The book focuses on easy hikes. Even if you are looking for more challenging ones, the information on the different lifts and locations and how to get to them might be useful. The staff at my hotel in Ortisei were very helpful and clearly accustom to helping guests plan their hikes.
I felt the same way when I started planing our trip for this fall! I purchased the Kompass Wanderkarte 076 (mentioned above) and it has made our planning much easier.