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How to Hike to the Iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Dolomites, Italy

wildlens-by-abrar-tre-cime-di-lavaredo-hike

Tre Cime di Lavaredo also called Drei Zinnen in German are the three iconic peaks in the Sexten Dolomites and among the most famous peaks in the Alps. Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike is relatively easy and offers spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains. It is one of my favourite hikes in the Alps and should be on top of the list of anyone visiting the Dolomites.  

Tre Cime Hiking Map

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Tre Cime di Lavaredo toll road to Rifugio Auronzo
 
 
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How to Get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo 

Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiking trail is near the Lago Misurina and Lago Antorno which is around 30 minutes drive from Cortina d'Ampezzo. You can drive all the way to the Rifugio Auronzo which is the starting point of the hike but the last 5 km of the road has a toll and costs 30ā‚¬ for a vehicle for 24 hours which is quite expensive. It is possible to avoid the toll road by parking the car before the Tre Cime di Lavaredo toll road and taking the Bus to Rifugio Auronzo. The parking is free but there is very limited space for maybe 10 - 15 vehicles. Another option would be to park at the paid parking near the Lago Misurina (see the above google map for exact location) and take the bus which stops in front of the parking. 

You can also take public transport from Dobbiaco and Cortina d'Ampezzo to Rifugio Auronzo. From Toblach (Dobbiaco) bus number 444 goes to Rifugio Auronzo three times in an hour during the peak summer season stopping along the way at Lago Misurina and Lago Antorno. There is also Dolomiti Bus from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Lago Misurina and from there you have to change the bus to get to Rifugio Auronzo. 

The Dolomiti Bus from Lago Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo.
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Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike 

Some facts about the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiking loop

  • ā€‹Distance: 10km 
  • Duration: 4 - 5 hours
  • Elevation Gain: 350m 
  • Starting point: Rifugio Auronzo
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Overnight Stay: Rifugio Antonio Locatelli (Wild Camping is also possible)

Tre Cime di Lavredo hike is my favourite in the Dolomites and probably the most popular hike in the Dolomites. I have been here several times and the last time I visited it was in the first week of September when an unexpected snowstorm closed the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo for a day. I came back the next day and parked my car near the toll road entrance to avoid paying 30ā‚¬ and took the bus to Rifugio Auronzo.

Rifugio Auronzo is the starting point of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hiking Trail


From Rifugio Auronzo start the trail in the clockwise direction. The hiking trail is very straight forward and very busy unless you start very early in the morning which is probably the wise choice to avoid crowds. The trail passes Rifugio Lavaredo and a small iconic church. From Rifugio Lavaredo you will see two trails one along the mountain and another behind the Rifugio. Both trails have similar views and difficulty level so choose the one you like. 

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hiking Trail


Some pictures from the hiking trail:

First views of the Rifugio Lavaredo from the Tre Cime hiking Trail
A small church near the Rifugio Lavaredo
Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiking trail from Rifugio Lavaredo
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trail towards Rifugio Antonio Locatelli
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trail towards Rifugio Antonio Locatelli
Looking back at the Rifugio Lavaredo from the Trail
Tre Cime di Lavaredo reflection after the rain
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Tre Cime di Lavaredo Where to Stay

The best option to stay overnight at Tre Cime di Lavaredo is at the perfectly located Rifugio Antonio Locatelli. The views from the Rifugio are breathtaking and I would highly recommend staying overnight which will give you an opportunity to see the Tre Cime di Lavaredo at sunset and sunrise. Reserve your place at the Rifugio online or by calling them especially during the peak season. 

Rifugio Antonio Locatelli at Sunset
Rifugio Antonio Locatelli at Sunrise


From the Rifugio Antonio Locatelli, you will see the trail going down towards the valley, follow all the way back to the car park or return back via the same trail. There are some very interesting photography spots along the way. 

Another awesome view of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo


The weather is very unpredictable here and it can snow anytime during the summer months. The below picture is from my previous hike a year earlier in mid-November and there were no signs of snow even though it was a lot colder. 

This picture is from my previous hike during the month of November with no snow
 


Tre Cime di Lavaredo Photography Spot 

This viewpoint is absolutely stunning and one of the widely shared pictures on Instagram. The first time I visited I didn't know anything about it and couldn't see on the hiking trail as it is not part of the main trail. I don't know what this viewpoint is called but I have marked it on the above google map and it is near the Rifugio Auronzo only a 20 minutes relatively easy hike in the opposite direction to the main Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiking trail. I have marked it as the Instagram viewpoint in my google map due to its popularity on Instagram. 

This view is one of the best on the whole Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike and shouldn't be missed
Arguably the best photography spot on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike
 


Camping Tre Cime di Lavaredo 

There is also the possibility to camp near the Rifugio or actually anywhere you find the best place. My favourite place is the caves in front of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and these caves have amazing views of the peaks probably the best views are from here. The caves also give protection against the wind. I stayed there twice and didn't even need a tent but it was a little cold during the night but with a good sleeping bag no problem at all.   

Sleeping in the cave in front of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
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Comments 3

Guest - Katerina DoulovĆ” on Thursday, 13 August 2020 09:22

Hello Abrar,
I would like to ask you if we can put a tent somewhere in the nature in Tre Cime di Lavaredo? IsnĀ“t prohibited to do it outside camping zones?

Thank you very much for your help,
Katerina D.

Hello Abrar, I would like to ask you if we can put a tent somewhere in the nature in Tre Cime di Lavaredo? IsnĀ“t prohibited to do it outside camping zones? Thank you very much for your help, Katerina D.
Super User on Thursday, 13 August 2020 09:47

It is illegal but still acceptable and no one has an issue with it. You will see some other hikers with their tents camping near the hut or wherever they find a good spot. I have been there a few times and no one told me to remove my tent.

It is illegal but still acceptable and no one has an issue with it. You will see some other hikers with their tents camping near the hut or wherever they find a good spot. I have been there a few times and no one told me to remove my tent.
Guest - Kateřina DoulovĆ” on Friday, 14 August 2020 10:14

Perfect! I wanted to hear that thank you

Perfect! I wanted to hear that:D thank you :)
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