Me and Michal by the Tre Cime de Lavaredo mountains in Dolomites Italy during our hike

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike: Step by Step Guide and Tips

ByKristine

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike – the loop around Drei Zinnen or Three Peaks – is one of the most popular and incredible hikes in the Dolomites. The Tre Cime are, of course, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – and actually the symbol of the Dolomites, so you’ve most probably seen them, well, everywhere that has something to do with the Dolomites.

It’s an approximately 10km loop hike around the monumental Three Peaks – Cima Grande (Große Zinne, 2999m high), Cima Ovest (Westliche Zinne, 2973m high), and Cima Piccola (Kleine Zinne, 2857m high).

On our trip there, it took us approximately 5h to do the whole loop. But that’s because we took a lot of pictures and had lunch in Rifugio Locatelli.

So let us tell you all you need to know about hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo!

Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit trail in a nutshell

michal and Kristine in hiking clothes with the tre cime di lavaredo in the background dolomites

Key details:

  • Trailhead: Rifugio Auronzo parking lot Google Maps
  • Length: ~10km
  • Level: Moderate
  • Elevation gain: ~400m
  • Time: 4-5h
  • Trail Number: 101, 105

The hike itself starts and ends at Rifugio Auronzo (elevation 2330 msl).

It is a 10-kilometer circuit, and going either way is fine. Most folks go counter-clockwise (from Rifugio Auronzo first to Rifugio Lavaredo) as that makes it easier to enjoy the views without turning your head too much 😊

The overall hiking time will be around 4 – 5 hours, but of course that depends on how fast you hike and how often you stop to admire what’s around you (oh yeah, the scenery will tempt you to do that often).

Hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop: step by step

A scenic mountainous landscape featuring a winding road leading to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint hike, where several people are gathered. Towering rocky cliffs dominate the background, partially obscured by clouds. A building sits on the left side of the road near the cliffs.
Trail towards the Tre Cime loop

The Tre Cime hike is rather easy and the trail is well marked. And as it’s the most popular hike in the Dolomites, there are always plenty of people, so it’s hard to get lost.

There’s a wide gravel path the whole way, although it does go up and down at quite a few points.

Rifugio Auronzo to Forcella di Lavaredo

view from tre cime hike in the dolomites in summer with peaks of misurina in the clouds and rifugio alfonso on the right side

The first part from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo is pretty flat and easy on trail nr. 101.

The southern walls of Tre Cime will be towering right next to you on the left, while looking to the right will have you catch a glimpse of Cadini di Misurina in the distance and a picturesque chapel Cappella degli Alpini right by the trail.

tre cime di lavaredo in august in the dolomites with a little church, cloudy mountains, and lots of people on the trail
Capella degli Alpini

In less than half an hour comes Rifugio Lavaredo, the first chance for some refreshments.

From there, the trail splits in two and climbs a bit to Forcella Lavaredo, the highest point on the trail at 2450 msl.

A rugged mountain landscape featuring three towering peaks known as Tre Cime di Lavaredo, set against a clear blue sky with a few clouds. The rock formations are steep and jagged, and the surrounding area is rocky with some green patches.

Once in the Forcella (saddle) a whole new panorama to the north opens up and you’ll be able to spot Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhutte) in the distance. Moreover, this spot offers some of the most dramatic angles for capturing Tre Cime di Lavaredo so your camera’s shutter button will surely get some good work-out while your legs get a bit of rest 😊       

Forcella di Lavaredo to Rifugio Locatelli

A mountainous landscape showing rugged, rocky peaks under a partly cloudy sky. The terrain is a mix of grey rocks and sparse green vegetation. A small red-roofed structure is visible in the distance, providing a sense of scale to the expansive view.

From Forcella Lavaredo to Rifugio Locatelli, the trail again splits in two, with the upper one (on the right) being more rugged but also less crowded.

In less than an hour you’ll be arriving in Rifugio Locatelli, a very popular mountain hut and a great place for a hearty lunch. The view from here to the northern walls of Tre Cime di Lavaredo is truly outstanding and the vista to Monte Paterno (to the left from Tre Cime) is nothing short of amazing.

Hikers traverse a rocky, mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky, with jagged peaks in the background. The scene is dominated by gray and brown tones, with sparse vegetation. A wooden railing and viewing platform are visible on the right side.

This area was a place of a frontline between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops in WW1 and there are numerous bunkers and caves dug in the rocky walls from those times.

In fact, there are a couple of caves just a 5-minute hike up from the hut on the wall of Sasso di Sesto, offering a nice frame for a quintessential Tre Cime photo opportunity.

Optional detour to Laghi dei Piani

People are scattered around a scenic mountainous landscape with rugged peaks. Some are sitting, and others are walking along a dirt path. In the background, there's a small lake reflecting the cloudy sky. Patches of grass and rocky terrain dominate the foreground.

Just a bit off the Rifugio Locatelli there is one of the hidden gems of the Dolomites – the Laghi dei Piani.

It’s two colourful alpine lakes right next to each other.

Unfortunately, when we visited them in August, they were rather dry. Plus, the weather didn’t let us enjoy the colours. But if you’re lucky, the view is quite nice.

And if you have the time and the energy, some 2km round trip on the trail nr. 101 you can go to an even more hidden gem – the third lake of Laghi dei Piani. This trail would definitely give you some respite from the crowds on the main hike.

Rifugio Locatelli to Langalm to Rifugio Auronzo

A group of hikers walking on a rocky trail towards three towering mountain peaks under a cloudy sky. One person in red jacket and hiking poles leads, followed by three others with backpacks. Another person stands in the distance, admiring the scenery.

From Rifugio Locatelli, it’s now time to follow trail nr. 105 towards Malga Langalm, first descending and then climbing.

Your leg muscles will get a bit of a workout here and panorama of Tre Cime on the left will be there and tempting you to stop once every while to admire those majestic three peaks.

A hiker in black attire stands with trekking poles, gazing at a rugged mountainous landscape under a partly cloudy sky. Green shrubs and rocky terrain surround the hiker.

After about an hour from Rifugio Locatelli comes another opportunity for some refreshments in the idyllic mountain hut Malga Langalm.

From there, the trail 105 continues through Forcella (Saddle) Col de Medo back to the starting point, towards Rifugio Auronzo.

four cows grazing in a pasture by the base of tre cime di lavaredo mountains in the dolomites

Don’t forget to take a selfie with some cows on the way!

Altogether, you will have walked around 10 kilometres and climbed and descended around 400 m. All of that is done at elevations ranging from 2200 msl to 2450 msl.

How to get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

A picturesque mountainous landscape unfolds at the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, where a winding road cuts through green meadows. Snow-capped peaks and rocky cliffs rise under a cloudy sky, with patches of greenery and distant lush forests adding to the stunning backdrop.

To get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, you have to go up to Rifugio Auronzo – the mountain hut where the trailhead is. There are three ways to do it – drive your car, take a bus or hike.

With a car

Cars are lined up at a toll booth in a mountain setting with trees and cloudy sky, reminiscent of the scenery you'd encounter on a cadini di misurina viewpoint hike. A sign in Italian and English directs drivers to pay tickets or pass with pre-paid tickets. Flags are visible, and a barrier arm is raised to let a car through.

There’s a toll road leading up to the Rifugio Auronzo, where there’s a car park. The road is open only when there’s no snow, which usually means from end of May until end of October. Of course, the snow conditions change every year so make sure to check them before your trip.

The toll booth is situated about a kilometre past Lago d’Antorno (2.5 km past Misurina Lake). At the time of writing this article, the rates are 30 EUR per car, 20 EUR per motorcycle and 45 EUR per campervan. It’s possible to pay by card.

One entry is valid for 12 hours, and if you stay longer, you’ll be charged again when exiting.

There’s a big parking lot by Rifugio Auronzo, and there’s no extra cost for it. When the parking lot fills up, the toll road closes – until a space opens up again. When we visited in late June, there were many empty spaces available in the afternoon. I believe it would be a lot different in the peak season, so either come really early or then, really late.

Without a car

There are two options for getting up to Rifugio Auronzo without a car – hiking or taking a bus.

Hike

A breathtaking view of the mountainous landscape at the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, with rocky peaks partially covered by clouds. The lower slopes show patches of snow and green vegetation. A meandering path winds through the terrain, adding depth and leading the eye towards the distant mountains.

If you decide to hike, it’s trail 101 from Misurina Casello – just by the toll station. The hike would take around 1.5 hours and it’s an approximately 500m climb.

Bus

A green tourist bus is parked on a mountain road near several other cars, likely at the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint. A person is walking beside the bus. The rocky mountain landscape in the background is partially covered by clouds, with a clear blue sky above.

The public transport is surprisingly good and reliable in the Dolomites. Plus, in South Tyrol, you can use almost all of it for free – unfortunately, though, one of the few exceptions are the buses that run to Rifugio Auronzo.

The bus nr444 is the one that runs from Dobbiaco to Rifugio Auronzo and back. The route is operated by Sudtirolmobil and in 2024 the buses run from June 1st until October 13th.

The tickets need to be bought online through this website – and you must reserve a specific time to go from Dobbiaco to Rifugio Auronzo (but not back).

One peculiar thing is that you cannot board bus 444 at the Lago Misurina and Lago d’Antorno stops on the way to Rifugio Auronzo, although it stops there.

In summer, Rifugio Auronzo is also served by bus 31 operated by DolomitiBus from Auronzo. With this one, you can board at the Lake Misurina and Lake Antorno stops.

Sadly, there is no direct bus from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Rifugio Auronzo. You can either take bus 445 from Cortina to Dobbiaco and change there for bus 444 or take bus 30 from Cortina to Misurina and change there for bus 31 to Rifugio Auronzo.

But they are quite awkward and take a long time, so it would be better if you had a car if staying in Cortina.

Where to eat on the hike

A woman in a pink jacket and a man in a black jacket smile while taking a selfie in front of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three prominent mountain peaks in the Dolomites. The backdrop features rocky terrain and cloudy skies. Other hikers can be seen in the distance.

As mentioned in the step by step guide, there are three mountain huts on the trail in which you can have some food and drinks.

We had lunch in Rifugio Locatelli, and it was tasty.

And, of course, you can always take a picnic with you. It’s always amazing to have a picnic with one of the best views there is in Northeastern Italy.

How to see Tre Cime di Lavaredo without hiking?

If you’re not up to hiking the trail to enjoy the Tre Cime, or you’re visiting the Dolomites while there’s still snow, there are many other ways to see the iconic peaks of Lavaredo.

Viewpoint by Lake Landro – Vista Panoramica Tre Cime di Lavaredo

tre cime di lavaredo from a viewpoint in the dolomites

There’s a special viewpoint for the Drei Zinnen not far from Lago di Landro – here it is on google maps. This is actually my favourite way, other than hiking, to enjoy Tre Cime.

I went to this viewpoint when we visited the Dolomites in April with my friend. Here, you see the Tre Cime in between the other Dolomite mountains. There’s also a “portal” to frame them, making for a cute picture. In this portal, you can learn about different mountaineering legends who first conquered the peaks.

Lago d’Antorno

lake antorno in the dolomites with a triangular mountain in the background and a little bridge in the foreground

Lake Antorno is a small lake on the way to Rifugio Auronzo. In fact, this is where you could park if you decide to hike up to the trailhead for the Tre Cime loop.

From Lago d’Antorno you see the south faces of the Tre Cime, which is quite a different view than that which you see usually.

On the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint trail

A rugged mountain range with steep, rocky cliffs partially covered by mist and clouds. The foreground features stony slopes with patches of grass and small shrubs. From the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint hike, the overcast sky adds a dramatic effect to the scene.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiding in the clouds

One other trail that starts by Rifugio Auronzo is the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint trail. And you don’t have to hike the entire trail – the best view of Tre Cime is just at the very beginning of the Cadini trail.

Other hikes and things to do in the area

Obviously, this being the Dolomites, there are quite a few other hikes and things to do in the area around Tre Cime.

Cadini di Misurina viewpoint

A rugged mountain trail leading to the dramatic Cadini di Misurina viewpoint with snow-capped peaks. The trail is lined with twisted, weathered tree roots, and green vegetation adds color to the rocky terrain. Thick, cloudy patches cover the sky.

The famous Cadini di Misurina viewpoint hike is my favourite short hike in the Dolomites. It starts at the same point where the Tre Cime loop starts – Rifugio Auronzo – so it’s perfect if you still have some energy left after hiking the Tre Cime.

It only takes approximately 2 hours to do roundtrip and offers incredible views.

Lago di Braies

kristine in a winter jacket standing on a rock in lake braies in the dolomites with a cloud covering the mountain in the background

The Pearl of the Dolomites, the most Insta-famous lake, Lago di Braies, is located an hour or so drive from the Tre Cime.

It’s one of the most beautiful lakes and definitely one you must see on your trip. And you’ve probably seen pictures of it – the wooden boathouse with the huge mountain Croda del Becco (Seekofel massif) in the background. Maybe there even were tied wooden boats in the image.

There are also many interesting things to do at Lake Braies, for example, hiking, biking, or boating.

Lago di Dobbiaco

the emerald green waters of lake dobbiaco with snowy mountains in the background

Lake Dobbiaco is my favourite lake in the Dolomites. It offers that picture-perfect mountain lake scenery – emerald green colour with huge mountains in the background.

It’s also kind of a hidden gem – although the lake is located very comfortably just by the road, not too many people stop here.           

Where to Stay Near Tre Cime di Lavaredo

view of cortina d'ampezzo town in the dolomites with cloudy mountains in the background

The best places to stay near Tre Cime are lago d’Antorno, Cortina d’Ampezzo, or Dobbiaco. Misurina is another possible option.

Best time to hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo

A scenic mountain landscape with jagged peaks partially obscured by clouds. In the foreground, there are clusters of pink wildflowers and green grass, while the rocky mountains in the background are bathed in varying shades of grey and brown.

The best time to hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo is in the summer when the wildflowers are in bloom. That’s when the sky is the clearest and the views – the best.

It also means that the crowds will be the biggest, but there’s really nothing that can be done about it.

As for the time of day, it doesn’t really matter when you go up. We hiked the loop during the day, but I’ve seen pictures of the Tre Cime at night, and the stars are magnificent.

In winter, the Tre Cime Nature Park is great for skiing!

What to bring when hiking Tre Cime di Lavaredo

A hiker with a blue backpack stands on a grassy area, looking towards towering rock formations in the background under a partly cloudy sky. The scene suggests a rugged, mountainous landscape, possibly during a day hike or trek.
  • Proper hiking shoes
  • Hiking poles
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Windbreaker
  • Warmer layer
  • Reusable water bottle

You don’t need any special equipment to hike the Tre Cime loop. The hiking trail is kept in a good condition, and, as I mentioned already, it’s wide and safe.

It’s always a good idea to have plenty of water with you, and some snacks.

As for the warmer layer – when we hiked the loop in august, the temperature at Rifugio Locatelli was ~15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit). It felt exceptionally cold after the warm of the valley.

As for the reusable water bottle – the tap water in the Dolomites is incredibly good. Honestly, I like it better than the bottled water that you can buy in stores. So make sure to bring bottles with you that you can fill up! I use Owala FreeSip Thermo bottles, as the water in them stays the temperature you filled them up with for up to 24h.

Last thoughts on the Tre Cime di Lavardeo Hike

A woman with reddish-brown hair smiles at the camera while taking a selfie outdoors in a grassy area with rocks. Behind her, a gray cow grazes on the grass, facing away from the camera. The woman is wearing a black shirt and a backpack.

If you’re looking for a relatively easy hike that offers some incredible famous views, I can definitely recommend the Tre Cime loop. It’s famous for a reason – seeing the incredible limestone towers close up and from different angles feels quite special.

Do you have any questions? I’m happy to answer them!

FAQ: Tre Cime Hike

Is Tre Cime worth it?

Yes, it’s definitely worth it – the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike is very popular for a reason.

What is the easiest route on Tre Cime?

The easiest route is just going up to the Rifugio Lavaredo – the half point of the Tre Cime hike, before the big descent.

How long is Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike?

It takes approximately 4 hours to hike the whole loop.

Is the Tre Cime hike difficult?

Depending on your fitness level, the Tre Cime loop is easy to moderately hard.

What is the closest town to Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

The closest town to Tre Cime di Lavaredo is Misurina. The closest “big” towns are Cortina d’Ampezzo and Dobbiaco.

How to get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo without a car?

You can either take a bus or hike.

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Tre Cime di Lavaredo Dolomites hike | The complete guide to hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop - one of the most popular and beautiful day hikes in the Dolomites, Italy | Tre Cime | Drei Zinnen | Three Peaks of Lavaredo hike |
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Dolomites hike | The complete guide to hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop - one of the most popular and beautiful day hikes in the Dolomites, Italy | Tre Cime | Drei Zinnen | Three Peaks of Lavaredo hike |

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