Seceda – Site Guide - The Hang Gliding Files

Europe – Italy – Dolomites

Seceda is a mountain in the Dolomites, located in the province of Bolzano in Italy. It is part of the Puez-Odle group and has a summit elevation of 2519 m. It is a popular destination for hang gliding and paragliding enthusiasts, as it offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Site Information

Seceda can be reached by cable car from Ortisei, a town in Val Gardena. The cable car consists of two sections: the first one goes from Ortisei to Furnes (2212 m), and the second one goes from Furnes to Seceda (2450 m). The cable car operates from late May to early November, and the ticket price for a round trip is 39.50 € for adults, 21 € for juniors (8-16 years old), and free for children (0-7 years old) accompanied by an adult.

The launch site for hang gliding and paragliding is located near the top station of the cable car, on a grassy slope facing south-east. The launch site has a wooden ramp for hang gliders and a flat area for paragliders.

Ortisei Sankt Ulrich Landing Area

Ortisei Sankt Ulrich is a charming town in the province of Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. It is the main town of Val Gardena, a valley famous for its natural beauty and its woodcarving tradition. Ortisei Sankt Ulrich has about 5,500 inhabitants and lies at an altitude of 1,236 m.

The landing area for hang gliding and paragliding is located near the bottom station of the cable car, on a large meadow facing south-east. The landing area has a windsock and a sign with the logo of the local flying club.

Flying Conditions and Restrictions

The flying conditions over Seceda are generally good from spring to autumn, with thermals starting from late morning until early afternoon. The best time to fly is between 11:00 and 15:00, when the sun heats up the south-east face of Seceda and creates strong lift.

The flying conditions over Seceda depend on the wind direction and speed, which can vary significantly throughout the day and between different altitudes. The wind can also be influenced by local factors such as valleys, ridges, lakes and forests.

The main wind directions are:

South-east: This is the most common and favorable wind direction for flying over Seceda. It creates a stable and laminar airflow over the launch site and the landing area. It also allows cross-country flights towards Val di Funes or Val Gardena.
South-west: This is another common and favorable wind direction for flying over Seceda. It creates a stable and laminar airflow over the launch site and the landing area. It also allows cross-country flights towards Alpe di Siusi or Val d’Isarco.
North-east: This is a less common and less favorable wind direction for flying over Seceda. It creates a turbulent and gusty airflow over the launch site and the landing area. It also creates a tailwind over Seceda, which can be dangerous and should be avoided.
North-west: This is a rare and unfavorable wind direction for flying over Seceda. It creates a turbulent and gusty airflow over all the area, making flying impossible or very risky.

The main wind speeds are:

Light: This is the ideal wind speed for flying over Seceda, as it allows a smooth take-off and landing, as well as a comfortable flight. The light wind speed ranges from 0 to 10 km/h.
Moderate: This is an acceptable wind speed for flying over Seceda, as it requires more skills and experience for take-off and landing, as well as more attention during flight. The moderate wind speed ranges from 10 to 20 km/h.
Strong: This is an undesirable wind speed for flying over Seceda, as it makes take-off and landing difficult or impossible, as well as flight dangerous or unpleasant. The strong wind speed ranges from 20 to 30 km/h or more.

The main restrictions for flying over Seceda are:

Airspace: The airspace over Seceda is classified as G (uncontrolled), which means that pilots can fly freely without any communication or permission. However, they must respect the general rules of the air, such as avoiding collisions, maintaining a safe distance from other aircraft, and following the right-of-way rules. The airspace over Seceda is also close to the airspace of Bolzano airport, which is classified as C (controlled). This means that pilots must avoid entering the controlled airspace without prior clearance from the air traffic control, which can be obtained by radio on frequency 119.7 MHz.
Weather: The weather over Seceda can change rapidly and unexpectedly, especially in the mountains. Pilots must check the weather forecast before flying and monitor the weather conditions during flight. They must also be prepared to abort their flight or land at an alternative site if the weather deteriorates or becomes unsafe.
Wildlife: The wildlife over Seceda is diverse and protected, especially in the Puez-Odle nature park, which is part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pilots must respect the wildlife and avoid disturbing or harming it. They must also avoid flying too low or too close to animals, such as birds of prey, deer, marmots or chamois.

Best Times to Fly and Visit

The best times to fly over Seceda are from June to September, when the weather is generally sunny and mild, and the thermals are strong and reliable. The peak season is from July to August, when the flowers are blooming and the views are stunning. However, this is also the busiest season, when there are more tourists and more pilots in the air.

The best times to visit Seceda are also from June to September, when there are many activities and attractions to enjoy besides flying, such as hiking, biking, climbing or sightseeing. The peak season is from December to March, when there is more snow and more winter sports to enjoy.

Some record flights that have been achieved over Seceda are:

Distance: In 2019, Christian Ciech flew 222 km from Seceda to Belluno via Marmolada, Civetta and Pelmo.
Altitude: In 2018, Aaron Durogati reached 4300 m above sea level while flying from Seceda to Cortina d’Ampezzo via Sella and Tofane.
Duration: In 2017, Luca Donini flew for 6 hours and 30 minutes from Seceda to Trento via Latemar and Catinaccio.

More Information

If you want to learn more about hang gliding and paragliding over Seceda, you can contact the following sources:

Garda Flying Paradise: This is a flight school and a tandem flight provider based on Lake Garda. They offer pilot education and courses for beginners and advanced pilots, as well as tandem flights over Lake Garda and other scenic spots. You can visit their website ¹ or call them at +39 347 228 4361.
GardenaFly: This is a tandem flight provider based in Val Gardena. They offer tandem flights over Seceda and other scenic spots in the Dolomites with experienced instructors. You can visit their website ² or call them at +39 335 571 6166.
Seceda Cableways: This is the official website of the cable car that connects Ortisei to Seceda. You can find information about tickets, timetables, events and more. You can visit their website ³ or call them at +39 0471 797153.