Hike: Mount Pic - Sëurasas

Compared to the dolomitic giants that surround it, Mount Pic may appear less impressive, but from the top you can enjoy an incredible 360° view of Val Gardena.
The Mount Pic is a little inconspicuous, but at the summit it offers an incredible view of the surrounding mountains.
The Mount Pic is a little inconspicuous, but at the summit it offers an incredible view of the surrounding mountains.
Aaron MoroderHiking & Climbing
Table of Contents

Tourinfo

Tot. duration
5 h
Duration asc.
2 h 30 min
Duration des.
2 h 30 min
Track
7,0 km
Altitude asc.
600 m
Altitude des.
601 m
max. height
2363 m
Difficulty
Condition
Technique
Best season
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

Introduction

The paths that lead to the top are challenging but not too long and Pic is rarely crowded. Once you reach Sëurasas, halfway up, the valley below will already seem very distant. The breathtaking views of this tour will easily make up for all your efforts!

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From the summit of the Mount Pic you have a great 360 degree view.
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Drive

From Autostrada del Brennero (A22) highway, drive through Val Gardena (SS242) to Santa Cristina until you reach Runcaudie parking lot (also called "Praplan" or "Christauta"), subject to charge.

In summer the mountain passes in the Dolomites are excellently served by public transportation. Line 350 departs from Ponte Gardena or Chiusa to Santa Cristina every 30 minutes. Once you reach the Maciaconi bus stop, you can take the city bus (line 357), which will take you quickly and comfortably to the Runcaudie-Christauta parking lot. For detailed schedules, see SüdtirolMobil.

Description

The traditional starting point for ascending Mount Pic is the Runcaudie parking lot (Christauta - Praplan) at S. Cristina, from which you'll start following a forest road towards Seceda. After only a minute, turn left at the intersection along forest road nr. 4. Follow it for about 300m and when you reach a fountain, turn right along trail nr. 20. From here the hike continues steeply upwards through the forest.

After 20-30 minutes you will reach a large flat meadow and the characteristic Sëurasas mountain hut. This is a great place to enjoy a well-deserved break and appreciate the incredible view of the valley below.

Start from Ortisei

The paths described above are the easiest and most popular ones to ascend Mount Pic. Physically fit hikers can also leave directly from Ortisei. You can start directly behind the church, from which you'll follow the street to San Giacomo and turn left onto the "Dialogue trail" after about 150 m. Follow the trail until Col de Flam, then continue along trail 6. It leads to the beautiful church of San Giacomo, to Balest and finally to Sëurasas. The path is steep, challenging and immersed in the woods, and you will emerge at the aforementioned cross. During the summer months you have the possibility to take a shortcut: there's a city bus that will take you to San Giacomo, cutting the climb by at least 250 m / 820 ft.

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Starting in Ortisei, you come to Sëurasas from the west.
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It's not far now. Below you can see the meadows of Sëurasas.
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Soon it will be done: shortly before the summit of the Mount Pic.
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The path gets very steep for a few minutes here until you reach Sëurasas - a place of particular beauty in Val Gardena. Flat pastures stretch out before you, surrounded by a wonderful mountainous landscape that includes the Sciliar, Sassolungo and the Sella group.

If by now you feel like you've climbed high enough, you can turn West along trail 6 and follow it for about 500m/1500 ft. until you reach the Sëurasas crucifix. From here, it's possible to continue downwards to Ortisei.

If you are still fit, on the other hand, it pays to tackle the last 250 m / 820 ft. of altitude change to the top of Mount Pic. The 360° view from the top is simply incomparable in Val Gardena.

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When you arrive at the summit, a bench invites you to rest and enjoy the view.
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Descent

To descend from Mount Pic you can either go back the way you came from or descend on the northern side to reach the beautiful meadows of Mastlé and Seceda. This route will also take you past „Lech Sant“ (name in Ladin, in English „Sacred Lake“), a picturesque mountain lake surrounded by flowery fields.

Lech Sant Refuge

To go this way, descend along trail 6 to Cuca saddle (2,160 m / 7,086 ft.). The path is challenging but not very long. From the saddle you can hike along a small road that quickly leads to the lake through the alpine meadows. Right next to it you will find the Lech Sant hut, which offers excellent dishes and various homemade products (especially cheese). From there, it is about an hour's walk back to the Runcaudie parking lot.

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On the descent on the north side, the Lech Sant hut and the small lake can already be seen clearly.
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During the descent to the north you always keep an eye on the Odle peaks.
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Insider tip

Mount Pic is not the most imposing peak in Val Gardena, but the many trails that surround it offer many beautiful hiking possibilities. On Mount Pic, you are also never really far from the towns of Ortisei and Santa Cristina. Should it start to rain, it's possible to turn back or change direction at any time.

A notable highlight is the sunset from Sëurasas: the sun sets in the West behind the Ortler group, giving you the opportunity to admire the majestic Sassolungo to the South and the Sella group to the East turn into a fiery orange.

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The hike to the Mount Pic is varied and will be remembered.
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Maps

  • Tabacco Nr.05, Gröden-Val Gardena or Nr. 07, Alta Badia, Arabba, Marmolada. The tabacco maps are available in their app. 
  • AV-Map Nr. 52/I