Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop

• Who is it for? Active hikers comfortable with half a day of walking.
• The Reality: Many guides label this "easy." It is not. While technically simple (no scrambling), the 10 km6.2 mi circuit involves significant ups and downs, particularly the steep climb out of the Rienzboden valley after Rifugio Locatelli. Treat it as a proper mountain day, not a park walk.
• Time: Allow half a day to enjoy the scenery without rushing.
• Pro Tip (Crowd Control): Most visitors hike counter-clockwise (Auronzo -> Lavaredo -> Locatelli). If you see a wall of people on the trail, flip the script. Hiking clockwise puts you against the flow, offering solitude on the western side and better lighting for the north faces in the afternoon.

• Who is it for? Families with small children, seniors, or those with limited time.
• The Route: Hike from Rifugio Auronzo to Forcella Lavaredo (The Saddle) and back.
• Why do it? You still get the "money shot." The saddle is where the dramatic north faces are first revealed. You miss the lakes and the western scenery, but you see the icons without the grueling ascent of the full loop.
  

  

Even on busy days, silence can be found just meters off the main track.

• The "Angel of the Fallen": Near the trailhead chapel, a small path branches right into a boulder field. Here stands a moving statue, away from the selfie crowds.
  

  

• The Memorial Plaque: At Forcella Lavaredo, instead of rushing to the hut, walk toward the base of Cima Piccola. A plaque is fixed to a boulder.

• The "Secret" Plateau: Most hikers crowd the terrace of Rifugio Locatelli. For a private lunch spot, walk just past the hut to the small chapel. The plateau just north of here offers the same iconic view of the peaks but with zero noise.

Car access depends on the road being open, generally from late May to late October, weather permitting; each hut sets its own opening dates.

• The Season: The hike suits summer and early autumn, depending on snow and weather.
  - July/August: The wildflowers are at their peak, but so are the crowds. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons.
  - September/October: This is the "Golden Season." The air is crisp, the larch trees turn yellow, and the stable high-pressure systems often provide the clearest views. However, it can be cold in the morning.

Alpine weather is notorious for fooling generic phone apps (like Apple Weather), which often pull data from valley towns and fail to account for conditions at altitude.

• Live Forecast: We provide a real-time 4-day forecast powered by Meteoblue directly on this page. Check the widget below before you drive up.

Conditions at Rifugio Auronzo can be radically different from the valley floor in Cortina. Before driving up, check a live webcam of the area to avoid staring into a white wall of fog.

If the parking is full or you wish to save the fee, you can "earn the view" by hiking up.

• Option 1 (Standard): Start at Lago d’Antorno, at the foot of the access road.
• Option 2 (Expert): Start from Val Fiscalina in the north. This is a significantly longer, steeper approach that leads to Rifugio Locatelli first. This is recommended only for fit parties seeking a full-day sporting challenge.

Using the shuttles is highly recommended to avoid the parking stress. However, the system differs depending on your starting point.

From Dobbiaco / Toblach (The North):

• Line: Shuttle 444 (Dobbiaco - Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime). According to the Tre Cime tourist office, this service will start again in summer 2027; check dates, fares and booking conditions on the tourist office website and on the südtirolmobil website or app before you go.
• Warning: According to the 2024 südtirolmobil page, the Südtirol Guest Pass, Mobilcard, museumobil Card and bikemobil Card were not valid on this service: check whether that still applies before you go.

From Cortina d’Ampezzo (The South):

• Line: In 2026, line 51 linked Cortina to Misurina from 8 May to 9 September; the Tre Cime di Lavaredo shuttle, running daily from 07:40 to 19:15 from 30 May, then links Misurina Genzianella to Rifugio Auronzo, with an intermediate stop at Lago Antorno. From 30 May to 7 June and from 10 September to 4 October, there is no direct connection from Cortina, according to the DolomitiBus announcement.
• Tickets: Shuttle tickets are sold on the DolomitiBus app, at ticket offices, or on board by contactless payment.
• Payment: Buying a ticket with cash on board is not possible: plan on contactless payment or buy ahead.

Driving offers the most flexibility, but access to the Tre Cime parking is by online reservation only (see below). From Lake Misurina, the road climbs to the refuge.

• Season Dates: The road is usually open from late May to late October, weather permitting.

• Real-Time Status: Never assume the road is open in shoulder season. Always check the official local tourism websites before driving up.

• Rental Tip: If renting a car, book the parking slot before you have your license plate: the plate can be changed only once, until 23:59 the day before access.

Car access to the Tre Cime parking is possible only with an online reservation, run by the municipality of Auronzo di Cadore.

Slots are booked through the official portal auronzo.info. Check its calendar to see which slots are open.

When you book, you choose a date and an access time, and enter the vehicle license plate number.

Note that availability is guaranteed only for requests sent before 23:59 the day before access. The readable plate serves as the permit: no paper ticket is needed.

The 2026 scale published by the municipality of Auronzo di Cadore on auronzo.info is as follows:

• Cars: 40 EUR$46
• Motorcycles: 26 EUR$30
• Campervans/Motorhomes: 60 EUR$70
• Buses (up to 30 seats): 80 EUR$93
• Buses (over 30 seats): 160 EUR$186
• Auronzo residents: 5 EUR$6
• Mountain guides and hiking leaders: 150 EUR$174 for the whole season
• Disabled Visitors: Free, with prior registration and booking on the portal.

Book as soon as your travel plans are fixed: availability is guaranteed only for requests sent before 23:59 the day before access.

You can cancel free of charge up to the 5th day before your access date.

• Refunds: The refund is made within 14 days to the credit card used for the booking.
• After that deadline: The right of withdrawal can no longer be exercised.

• Overstay: The ticket is valid for 12 hours from the access time chosen at booking. Exceeding this results in a penalty equal to double the parking fee.
• Exit: The contract ends when the vehicle leaves the parking.

If you rent a car, you can book and update the plate later: the change is possible only once, until 23:59 the day before access.

Access is allowed from the reserved time. Note that the 12 hours of validity run from that reserved time, not from your arrival. If you arrive late, the end-of-stay time shown in the reservation does not change.

• Boots vs. Approach Shoes: Standard running shoes are dangerous here. The trail consists of sharp, crushed dolostone (scree) which shreds soft mesh and offers zero traction on the steep descent into the Rienzboden valley.
• The Recommendation: You do not necessarily need heavy leather boots, but you must have footwear with a Vibram® (or equivalent) lugged sole and a reinforced rubber toe cap. "Approach shoes" (like La Sportiva or Salewa) are the local standard: they grip wet rock and protect toes from loose scree.
• Hiking Poles: These are critical for knee health on this specific loop. The descent from Rifugio Locatelli involves loose gravel on a hardpack base. Poles transfer weight and prevent slips on the "marbles" underfoot.

• The "White Oven" Effect: The pale limestone of the Dolomites reflects light: even on cloudy days, the risk of sunburn remains real.
• Eye Protection: Sunglasses are mandatory. Choose Category 3 to limit eye fatigue from the glare.
• Sunscreen: Apply a sweat-resistant SPF 50+ before you leave the car. The dry mountain air evaporates sweat instantly, making you feel cooler than you actually are while you burn.

• The Wind Tunnel: The Forcella Lavaredo saddle acts as a natural funnel for northern winds. It is often much colder here than at the parking lot.
• The Layering System: Avoid cotton (it freezes when wet). Wear a synthetic or merino wool base layer. Pack a fleece mid-layer and a hard-shell windbreaker. If hiking in June or October, a beanie and lightweight gloves are non-negotiable.

• Power Management: Cold temperatures and constant camera usage drain phone batteries rapidly. Carry a power bank (10,000mAh) and a cable. You will need your phone for emergency calls.
• Offline Navigation: Cell signal can drop in places. Download the map area in your navigation app before leaving the hotel.

• Hydration: The dry air accelerates dehydration. Carry 2 l67 fl oz of water. Consider adding electrolyte tablets to prevent altitude headaches.
• Cash is King: Card terminals in huts do not always work. Always carry ~50 EUR$58 in mixed cash (small bills and 1 EUR$1 coins for toilets).

The Tre Cime are far from major cities. To beat the crowds, you should base yourself in one of the nearby valley towns:

• Dobbiaco (Toblach) & San Candido (Innichen): The best options for families. These towns lie north of the peaks and offer access to the shuttle system, plus excellent hotels and wellness centers.
• Cortina d’Ampezzo: The "Queen of the Dolomites" to the south. It offers high-end luxury and dining but comes with higher prices and heavier traffic.
• Misurina: The closest option, at the foot of the access road. Accommodation here is more dated but unbeatable for location.

Sleeping at altitude allows you to witness the sunrise before the day-trippers arrive.

• Rifugio Auronzo: Accessible by car.

  

• Rifugio Lavaredo: Smaller and quieter.

  

• Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte): The most famous location.

  

• Booking Reality: Book directly with each hut, well in advance in high season: opening dates and booking methods are specific to each.

• Camping and bivouac: Camping is not allowed in the nature parks, with the exception of alpine bivouacking, and lighting fires is prohibited there (except by forestry and agricultural personnel during their work), according to the code of conduct for the South Tyrol nature parks. Do not pitch a tent near the lakes.
• Campervans at the parking: You may spend the night inside the vehicle, but not camp (motorhome fee: 60 EUR$70). Camping is subject to fines of 100 EUR$116 to 500 EUR$580. This is a parking lot, not a campsite.
• Official Campsites: For full services, choose a campsite in the valley rather than the parking lot.

The frontline cut directly through these peaks. While bullets were a threat, the mountains themselves were the true executioner. Soldiers on both sides faced the "White Death" avalanches and subzero blizzards.

As you hike near Monte Paterno (Paternkofel), look up at the rock face. The rectangular "windows" carved into the cliffs are remnants of that era.

You will see the peaks referred to as both Tre Cime (Italian) and Drei Zinnen (German), like the nature park itself. The German name means "Three Merlons" (like the battlements of a castle).