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Hikes and sights and driving the Dolomites - Seceda and Santa Maddalena among others

Posted by on

Hi-
My two 20-something kids, my husband and I are heading to Italy in a little over a week and I have a few questions. My daughter and I are both photographers, and I've seen a few areas I'd love to capture, weather and family dependent. :)
We're staying 3 nights in Val Gardena (can't remember which town right now, we looked at so many). I would love to get to Seceda and the Odle Mountains to take "the" shot that I've seen and basically drooled over :) Does anyone know what time the lift opens? Can you get there for sunrise? Also, I've seen so many lift names, and haven't been able to figure out which one it is.

Also, my daughter really wants to take a photo of Santa Maddalena with the Dolomites in the distance, but from what I read, it's a tough drive to get there - hairpin turns, single lane, etc. And, she gets carsick. Is there a better route to take that'll be less likely to make her sick? How long of a drive is it between Ortesei and Santa Maddalena? Is there a particular spot that's great for the view of the valley where it's legal to stop?

Any other recommendations? Like I said, I'll be balancing my photography bug with family time, so we'll be looking for beautiful drives, some hikes with great views, and good food/drinks too!

Thanks so much in advance!! We got rained out two years ago and never made it (spent a week in Venice instead, after cancelling our reservations), so we're really excited to get back - and keeping our fingers crossed this time!

Theresa

Posted by
11367 posts

Here is the lift schedule, Theresa. You want #9 on the list, which is a two stage lift to Seceda via Furnes.

We never drive there so I cannot help you with the Santa Maddalena question. Ask at the TI office in whichever town you are staying.

Posted by
145 posts

Thanks, Laurel!! So, to make sure I have this right, it's actually 2 lifts to get up to Seceda from Ortisei? Also, do they have parking where the lifts start from?

I've been reading about a pass - if we're there for just 4 nights, are the passes worth buying?

Thanks!

Posted by
11367 posts

Yes, a two-part lift: smaller cars to the mid-point at Furnes then a large gondola that takes perhaps 100 people to the top.

There is parking. I don't know how full it gets, but it is so easy to get to the Seceda lift base station in Ortisei. It is really best to use the free bus pass your lodging will give you, ride the bus to Ortisei, then take the elevators and moving sidewalk up to the Seceda base station. The communities try to discourage driving by giving out these passes. Really, I wish Americans would get over the need to drive everywhere when the public transportation is so darn good!

The Val Gardena Pass will save you $$ and allow you to skip any ticket lines. There is a 3-day pass available.

Posted by
145 posts

I this we're so used to how things are in America, that we stay in our comfort zone. Plus, for me, being a photographer with gear, I don't take it all with me if I don't have to, but like it nearby, just in case. 😊

How early do the busses run? We plan to catch the first gondola up in the morning to catch the early light.

Posted by
11367 posts

Buses start quite early. First gondola I think is at 8:30(I sent you the link to the schedule yesterday).

Yes, I understand the gear issue, but thousands of Europeans manage without cars on vacation. My husband and I find it very freeing to be car-free when traveling.

Posted by
145 posts

Hi Laurel-
I get what you're saying, but with me, it's more of a wanting to be able to stop if I need to, when I need to. Whether it's because I'm feeling carsick (busses do me in), or if there's a beautiful scene out the window that I want to photograph, and the bus driver just won't stop for me :) Being a landscape photographer, those scenes can happen without knowing they are coming - especially with beautiful light and being in an area that I've never been to before, and probably won't get back to. It would kill me to see something I couldn't stop to photograph :)

For that short of a distance though, I'd probably be okay. Taking a bus over the mountain passes though - that won't be happening. Too many close calls with getting sick, just riding on a bus in our local mountains.

Thanks for the info!
Theresa

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