Tre Cime di Lavaredo is one of the most beautiful, most photographed, most iconic destinations in the Dolomites. Here is a guide for anyone interested in visiting this magnificent place, with extra tips on where, when and hot to organise your visit.
Dolomiti
The Dolomites are a Unesco world heritage site and they attract millions of tourists every year. Tourism is a very important factor in the local economies but it also has a very important impact on society and on nature. Serious threats to wildlife and the environment are worrying local communities and authorities and some rules are in place to limit the number and the impact of visitors and tourists. The problem is that tourism in the area reaches high peaks in the summer months, when the weather is good and there is no snow covering the roads. So if you visit this place please remember to respect nature and follow the rules and guidelines.
How to get to Tre Cime
The Tre Cime are easily accessible from Belluno (Auronzo, Misurina) and the Sesto/Dobbiaco area.
By car/camper/bus:
- From Auronzo/Misurina: In summer, a toll road leads to the Rifugio Auronzo parking area.
- From Sesto/Dobbiaco: Take the highway to Bressanone, then follow signs for Dobbiaco and Misurina.
Train/bus:
- From Belluno: Trains from Venice, Padua, and Udine arrive at Calalzo-Pieve di Cadore-Cortina, with Dolomitibus connections to Auronzo and Misurina. In summer and at Christmas, buses run between Auronzo and Misurina, with daily routes to the Tre Cime.
- From the Dolomites region: Trenitalia and Treno Alto Adige trains stop at Fortezza, with connections to San Candido and Dobbiaco. Buses to the Tre Cime run every three hours.
By plane:
Nearby airports include Treviso, Venice, Verona, and Innsbruck, with shuttle or bus services available.
Tre Cime On foot:
Hiking routes start from Lago di Landro, Val Fiscalina (Sesto), Val Campo di Dentro, Rifugio Pian di Cengia, and Auronzo (via Val Marzon and Vallon di Lavaredo).
In winter, the Tre Cime can be reached with snowshoes, ski touring, or by snowmobile from Lago Antorno.
Where to sleep
If you prefer to sleep at lower altitudes you can look for acomodation by lake Misurina. There are many hotels there but they can be fully booked during peak season, so make sure you book in advance. If you prefer to sleep in a mountain hut you can contact one of the huts that are part of the hike to Tre Cime. Rifugio Auronzo and Rifugio Lavaredo are the most famous ones and you can find a bed and a restaurant in both of them.
Here is the link for rifugio Auronzo: https://www.rifugioauronzo.it/
The best hike around Tre Cime di Lavaredo
One of the best hikes in the area is the one that starts from Rifugio Auronzo. If you are well trained you can even reach this hut from Misurina (approximately 2h30).
From here you can take the main path (very easy to follow and very wide) that takes you to Forcella Lavaredo, the highest point of the hike. From here you can see the classic view of the Tre Cime (up to this point you see them from the back, the southern side). Keep walking north along path 101 in the direction of Rifugio Locatelli. From here you will gain the fantastic view of the majestic north side of the mountain. Finally, we recommend you reach this point because from here you get the best view of the surrounding mountains.
An extra hike you can take is the one in the galleries of Monte Paterno. When you are facing Tre Cime from Locatelli hut you can see a path to your left. This takes you literally inside the mountain. In fact, the tunnels were created during the World War and there are windows that offer incredible views.
From rifugio Auronzo to rifugio Locatelli consider around 2hours of walking.
Best time to visit
Spending a full day hiking around the area is a fantastic experience. If you are visiting in summer you should consider waiting for the sunset. So, especially if you are close to RIfugio Locatelli you will be able to enjoy the last rays of sun on the northern cliffs of the mountains. It will be an unforgettable experience.
Interested in other hikes in the Dolomites?
Check these out: https://6bpump.com/in-the-heart-of-the-dolomites-hike-to-rifugio-velo-della-madonna/
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