Dolomites Cable Cars: The Best Summer Lifts and What to Expect
Cable cars make some of the Dolomites’ most spectacular scenery accessible, but choosing the right ones is not always straightforward. Some take you directly to panoramic viewpoints and mountain restaurants. Others are primarily starting points for longer hikes, with uneven or steep terrain once you leave the station.
The lifts are also spread across a large area. A cable car that looks close on a map may require a lengthy drive over a mountain pass, so the best choices usually depend on where you are staying and what you want to do at the top.
This guide covers the major summer lifts across Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi, Alta Badia, Cortina, Val di Fassa and the eastern Dolomites. You will find:
The best base for each lift
What you can see and do at the top
How much walking is required
Whether it suits hikers, non-hikers or both
Links to official timetables and prices
I have personally used nearly all the lifts included in this guide. My aim is not to list every lift in the Dolomites, but to help you identify which ones are genuinely useful for your trip.
Want a simpler version to keep with you?
Download my free Dolomites Cable Car Cheat Sheet for a quick comparison of the key lifts and the types of days they suit.
Quick Comparison of Dolomites Summer Lifts
Start with the area where you are staying. Driving to a famous lift in another valley can take far longer than the map suggests.
Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi
Seceda
Best from: Ortisei
At the top: The famous Seceda ridgeline, mountain huts and access to longer hikes
Walking: A short uphill walk to the main viewpoint; longer hikes optional
Col Raiser
Best from: Santa Cristina
At the top: Odle views, mountain huts and excellent hiking connections
Walking: Short panoramic walks or longer hiking routes
Dantercëpies
Best from: Selva
At the top: Views toward the Sella and Cir groups, restaurants and hiking routes
Walking: Short walks are possible, but many trails are rocky
Resciesa
Best from: Ortisei
At the top: A broad, quieter mountain plateau with a restaurant and panoramic walks
Walking: Easy to moderate
Mont Sëuc
Best from: Ortisei
At the top: Direct access to Alpe di Siusi, a restaurant and wide plateau views
Walking: Very little at the station; longer routes descend onto the plateau
Alpe di Siusi Cable Car
Best from: Siusi or Castelrotto
At the top: Compatsch, with access to meadows, restaurants, buses and walking routes
Walking: Anything from a gentle stroll to a full hiking day
Marinzen Cable Car
Best from: Castelrotto
At the top: Alpine meadows, a mountain hut and a quieter local mountain area
Walking: Short and generally easy
Alta Badia
Boè
Best from: Corvara
At the top: A mountain restaurant, Sella views and access to higher hiking routes
Walking: Very little for the restaurant; considerably more for hiking
Col Alto
Best from: Corvara
At the top: Meadows, rifugios and walking routes above Corvara
Walking: Easy to moderate
Pralongià
Best from: Corvara or San Cassiano
At the top: A broad plateau, panoramic paths and Rifugio Pralongià
Walking: Easy to moderate
Borest
Best from: Corvara or Colfosco
At the top: This is primarily a useful connection between the two villages
Walking: Minimal
Col Pradat
Best from: Colfosco
At the top: Elevated views, a mountain restaurant and access to hiking routes
Walking: Short walks are possible, but the terrain can be uneven
Plans–Frara
Best from: Colfosco
At the top: Access toward Passo Gardena and higher mountain trails
Walking: Best suited to walkers and hikers
Cortina, Val di Fassa and the Mountain Passes
Lagazuoi
Best from: Cortina or Alta Badia
At the top: Exceptional viewpoints, Rifugio Lagazuoi and First World War sites
Walking: Very little for the terrace; rocky mountain trails beyond it
Cinque Torri
Best from: Cortina
At the top: The Cinque Torri rock formations, rifugios and open-air war museum
Walking: Short to moderate walks on uneven paths
Tofana
Best from: Cortina
At the top: High-altitude panoramic terraces and extensive mountain views
Walking: Very little at the lift stations; hiking is optional
Sass Pordoi
Best from: Val di Fassa or Arabba
At the top: A dramatic high-mountain terrace and access to the Sella plateau
Walking: Very little for the terrace; the plateau is rocky and uneven
Catinaccio
Best from: Vigo di Fassa
At the top: Ciampedie, with views of the Catinaccio group, rifugios and walking routes
Walking: Easy to moderate
Sesto and San Candido
Monte Elmo/Helm
Best from: Sesto or San Candido
At the top: Wide mountain views, rifugios and a network of panoramic trails
Walking: Anything from an easy walk to a longer hike
Croda Rossa
Best from: Sesto
At the top: Mountain scenery, rifugios and access to hiking routes
Walking: Very little to extensive
Haunold/Monte Baranci
Best from: San Candido
At the top: A family-friendly mountain area with a hut, walks and activities
Walking: Short and generally easy
How Much Walking Should You Expect?
Taking a cable car does not necessarily mean an effortless sightseeing day. Some lifts bring you directly to a viewpoint or restaurant, while others are mainly useful as starting points for mountain walks.
Best for Sightseeing with Limited Walking
These lifts allow you to enjoy substantial mountain scenery without committing to a long hike:
Lagazuoi: Panoramic terrace and rifugio close to the upper station
Sass Pordoi: High-mountain terrace and restaurant immediately accessible
Tofana: Extensive views from the lift stations
Boè: Mountain restaurant and views close to the upper station
Resciesa: Restaurant and scenery near the funicular, with optional walks
Marinzen: Meadows and a mountain hut reached directly from Castelrotto
Haunold/Monte Baranci: Family activities, a hut and short walks
Limited walking does not always mean completely level or step-free access. Contact the individual lift operator if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair, pushes a stroller or has restricted mobility.
Best for Easy or Flexible Walking
These areas offer a choice between shorter walks and more substantial routes:
Alpe di Siusi from Compatsch
Mont Sëuc
Pralongià
Col Alto
Dantercëpies
Cinque Torri
Croda Rossa
Monte Elmo
Mountain paths may still include slopes, gravel, rocks and uneven ground. At Cinque Torri, even the shorter routes use uneven paths.
Looking for a specific route? See my Best Easy Hikes in the Dolomites With Cable Cars for gentle walks from Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Pralongià, Lagazuoi and more.
Most Useful for Hikers
These lifts are particularly valuable as starting or finishing points for proper hikes:
Col Raiser
Col Pradat
Plans–Frara
Catinaccio
Seceda, if continuing beyond the principal viewpoint
You can still enjoy views near some of these stations, but their real value comes from the trail access they provide.
Important Terrain Warning
The cable car to Sass Pordoi makes it easy to reach the high mountain, but the Sella plateau itself is not an easy paved walking area. Beyond the immediate terrace and restaurant, the terrain is rocky, uneven and exposed to rapidly changing weather.
Common Cable-Car Planning Mistakes
Choosing a Lift Because It Is Famous
Start with your accommodation base, not a list of famous attractions. A lift that appears reasonably close may require a long drive over mountain passes, particularly during busy periods.
Trying to Fit Too Much into One Day
A cable-car visit can occupy most of a day once you include driving, parking, queues, walking, photographs and lunch. Two lifts only work well together when they are genuinely close or form part of the same route.
Failing to Check the Individual Schedule
Different lifts have different opening and closing dates, even within the same valley. Some operate into October while neighbouring lifts close weeks earlier. Always check the official website shortly before your visit.
Missing the Final Descent
The final downhill service may be earlier than expected. Check the last descent before beginning a walk and allow extra time rather than planning to arrive at the station at the final minute.
Assuming One Pass Covers Everything
Regional and multi-day passes cover different combinations of lifts. Some well-known lifts are excluded from passes that visitors naturally assume would include them. Decide which lifts you are likely to use before buying a pass.
Read my Dolomites Summer Lift Passes page before choosing a regional or multi-day pass.
Check Current Lift Information
Operating dates, hours and prices change from one season to another. Weather and maintenance can also affect daily operation.
Use the official operator link provided for each lift and check it again shortly before travelling. Do not rely solely on an old blog post, saved timetable or social-media recommendation.
You may also find these planning resources useful:
Free 8-Page Dolomites Cable Car Cheat Sheet
Not sure which Dolomites lifts are worth your time?
This free cheat sheet compares seven of the most useful summer lifts, including Seceda, Lagazuoi, Alpe di Siusi, Sass Pordoi, Boè and Cinque Torri. It explains what to expect at the top, how much walking is required, which lifts suit non-hikers and how to combine them into realistic days.
Want Help Planning Your Trip?
Choosing the right lift is only one part of creating a realistic Dolomites itinerary. Your bases, driving times, hiking ability, weather alternatives and lift operating dates all need to work together.
My Custom and VIP Dolomites trip-planning services are available if you would like personalized help deciding where to stay, which experiences to prioritize and how to organize each day.