Seekofel (in Italian: Croda Del Becco) is the most photographed mountain in the Italian Dolomites. Its peak is reflected in the famous Lake Braies, which thousands of tourists visit daily. If you want to escape the crowds and are up for a challenging route, you can hike to the summit of Seekofel.
Total round-trip distance
16.2 kilometres / 10 miles
Elevation gain
1360 meters / 4460 feet
Time required
7-8 hours
Overview of the Seekofel hike
Seekofel (Croda Del Becco) is a summit in the Fanes Sennes Braies Nature Park in the northern part of the Italian Dolomites. The peak reaches 2810 meters (9219 feet) above sea level and can be reached on foot within 4 hours. You must climb almost 1400 meters (4500 feet) of elevation to reach the summit—no easy feat for many. There are a couple of short, steep sections along the Seekofel hike where metal cables have been installed for extra protection.
I did this hike as an extension to Alta Via 1, a hut-to-hut traverse across the Italian Dolomites that I hiked with my dad a few years back.
The map & elevation profile of the hike
Important info about the Seekofel hike
When you find yourself on the shoreline of Lake Braies, looking at the mighty north face of the Seekofel, you might think this mountain seems unscalable. The path to its summit is not visible from the lake and runs on the east and south side of the mountain. Whilst this is undoubtedly not a beginner-friendly trail, you shouldn’t have any issues summiting this peak if you are a seasoned hiker with a good head for heights.
When to go: Mid-June to October
Trail difficulty: Hard
Trail numbers: 1
Type of hike: Out and back
Highest point: 2810 meters / 9219 feet
Parking: 46.71709, 12.13841
Trailhead: 46.69805, 12.08419
Nearest towns: Monguelfo, Valdaora, Dobiacco, San Candido
Getting there
The Seekofel hike starts at Lake Braies, one of the most iconic photography spots in the Dolomites. This location is bustling during the peak season (July and August).
By bus
Bus no. 442 runs regularly between Dobbiaco and Lake Braies. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes and includes 15 stops. Check for a bus stop near you on the Sued Tirol Mobil website. Type in St. Veit (Prags), Pragser Wildsee as your destination.
By car
It’s possible to reach Lake Braies by car, but you must be aware of seasonal road restrictions during peak summer months. I explain the rules in detail in my post about Lake Braies.
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
Around 3 hours into the hike, you will reach the Croda Del Becco saddle. You will find Rifugio Biella below the saddle (around 200 meters). It’s a rustic mountain refuge, where you can stay the night or stop for a meal and drink. To reach the hut, you will need to leave the trail. This will add approximately 50 meters of elevation to your day.
Where to stay nearby
If you would like to hike to the summit of Croda Del Becco, I recommend staying in one of the towns in the Puster Valley, such as Valdaora, San Candido, or Dobbiaco. Puster Valley lies in the North of the Dolomites and has excellent access to the Fanes-Sennes-Braies and Tre Cime Nature Park trails, as well as to via ferratas.
Best Value
This apartment complex is part of the beautiful historic Hotel Groste in Valdaora. Apartment Guests can use the hotel’s Wellness facilities.
Top Rated
Hotel Simpaty is in a great, central, yet quiet location in Dobiacco. The facilities are modern and new.
Hello Marta, Do you think this summit is recommended to hike during mid October because of the possibility of snow? What are your thoughts since this is a long hike and may be challenging at some parts. Thanks.
Hi Jay. Thanks for visiting. I hiked to the summit of Durrenstein in the second half of October, which is very close to Seekofel, and whilst there were some dustings of snow at the top (and cold), it was still absolutely fine. With that said, I cannot give you a definitive answer. If the weather the week before is fine, then yes, it should be fine. It is best to monitor the weather, snowfall, etc. Generally, October is still fine for hiking in the Dolomites. Rifugio Biella will be closed by then, though.