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
How to Use This Map: Click the Tab on the Upper left corner of the map to view all places of interest marked in the map. You can show or hide the places by check/uncheck marks. By clicking on the Star in the upper corner next to the name of the map, you can add this map into your Google maps to view it on mobile or computer. It will be saved under "Your Places" under the Menu.
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 30€ 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.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike
Some facts about the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiking loop
- 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 30€ and took the bus to Rifugio Auronzo.
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.
Some pictures from the hiking trail:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.