Essential tips and route to hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (which translates into “three peaks of Lavaredo”) are probably the most iconic mountains of the Dolomites and simply cannot stay out of your hiking wish list. There are several different ways to reach the three peaks, including hut to hut trails or climbing paths for the more experienced hikers. In this article, we will guide you through the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop hike, which, as the name suggests, is a circular hike around the peaks, passing through some of the most amazing views we’ve seen on this trip through the Dolomites.

In this article you will find:

Basic information about the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop hike

• Hike duration: 3.5 – 5h (depending on your stops and detours along the way)
• Total distance: 9.5km in the loop, with additional 1.5km if you do the suggested detours on the next section
• Start and end point: Rifugio Auronzo (easily located via Google Maps)
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Elevation gain: 400 m ascend and descend
• Price: 30 € toll to come with the car until Rifugio Auronzo (alternative solutions detailed below)
• Infrastructure: There are several lodges along the hike that offer bathrooms, restaurant and sleeping options. The lodges are only open during high season, between mid-June until the end of September.
• Public transport: You can reach the Rifugio Auronzo with the public bus coming from Cortina d’Ampezzo or Misurina, but this line only works during the summer.
• Best months for this hike: We went in August and it was great, the weather was warm (quite cloudy with some moments of clear sky) and the valley was in full bloom with the wildflowers. I would suggest June or September to avoid the crowds
• Is it accessible to kids? Yes, I have seen many families on the way. It is a fairly easy path, the hardest part being the elevation gain in one short section

Since this is a very popular site, it gets really crowded, especially in July and August. We recommend starting the trek as early as possible to avoid the crowds and having a more pleasant experience. The toll that gives access to the park is open between 8h and 18h, but you are allowed to leave at any time. On busy days (especially on weekends), the parking lot may already be full by 10am.

Our suggested route for hiking around Tre Cime di Lavaredo

The hike starts and ends in Rifugio Auronzo, where the parking lot is located. To start the hike, find the path located on the right side of the lodge. This first section of the trail is very flat and even suitable for some wheelchairs or strollers. After about 1.7 km, you will pass a small chapel and arrive at Rifugio Lavaredo.

From here on, you will be going in the direction of Forcella Lavaredo, which is the first spot where you will see the front of the three peaks. There are basically two options: you may follow a steep and shorter path that starts on the left right before you arrive at Rifugio Lavaredo or follow ahead through a bit longer but less demanding trail. The difference is not very significant in terms of time (it will take you maybe 10min more), but I recommend the second as you will be able to see the view from different angles and some small lakes on the right side, like this one.

Both paths reach the Forcella Lavaredo, with the view of the peaks right in front of you. From there, you can easily spot Rifugio Locatelli across the valley – which is your next target. The main path is clear and large, taking 2km until the Rifugio, but more experienced hikers can opt for a little windy path on the right side along the mountain that takes a while longer. There are also several climbing spots in the area, but you will need Via Ferrata equipment for that.

Now, when you arrive right at the base of the Rifugio, you will see signs saying that the loop continues ahead. Indeed, the 9.5km loop does not include the little detour up until the lodge, but we highly recommend you take it. It is the best place to stop and have a snack or a picnic, the best viewpoint to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks and you will get the chance to see a different view from the Piani Lakes, located just behind the lodge. This detour adds only 1.5km to the total distance but it is worth it!

Pro tip: For the perfect picture-frame of the peaks, head towards the caves on the mountains behind Rifugio Locatelli – it is a steep but short way up. These caves were built during WWI when this entire area served as a battleground.

To get back on track, just follow along the path on the opposite side of the lodge as the one you came from. It will be easy to spot the way down, just follow the signs that direct you back to the loop hike. You will make it back to the point where you turned right to go up to Rifugio Locatelli, only this time you should turn the other way (your right this time). From here on, there is not much mystery… you just need to follow the path.

The next section will lead you down and up the valley just in front of the three peaks. You will soon come to Malga Langalm, another Rifugio that has a small restaurant – but this one you cannot sleep. It is a great spot if you need a break, with small lakes that reflect the peaks around you. The last stretch of the hike is one of my favorites, hearing the bells from the cows and doing the last turn to head back into the car park.

All in all, we spent 5h in total, including the detour to see the Piani Lakes, the stop for snacks and all the breaks for pictures.

Hiking Gear recommendation

Check out our favorite hiking gear and essentials which we always bring with us.

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How to get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

To do the loop hike, your goal is to reach Rifugio Auronzo, which is the start and end point for this hike. There are several ways to do so:

By car: Since Rifugio Auronzo is located in a National Park, you will need to pay a 30 € toll to go up to the lodge. This is the price for regular cars, costs are different for motorcycles, camping vans, etc. If you are coming from Cortina d’Ampezzo, it will take you around 40min ride and the entrance of the park is shortly after Misurina, on the right.

To avoid the toll, you can choose to park the car before the entrance to the park and walk up. It is quite a steep and windy road, and the walk up takes around 90 minutes. During the summer months, it is common to see people hitchhiking their way up. Another alternative is to park the car before the entrance and go up with the public bus. Line #31 goes up until Rifugio Auronzo.

Do you still need to rent a car? Check the price with Discover Cars, our trusted affiliate.

Pro tip: They only take cash at the entrance of the park!

By bus: There is a bus line that connects Cortina d’Ampezzo and Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo. It runs several times a day, but only during the summer months when the paths and lodges are open. This is the same bus you should take to hike to Lake Sorapis, for example. Check the bus schedule on the Dolomiti Bus official page, but, from our experience, they might not be 100% strict on punctuality.

Hiking: As mentioned, there are several other paths that lead to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. One of the most popular alternatives is a hike that goes from the bottom until the top, and it takes one full day to complete it. There are also some options of hut-to-hut paths in the region, but we recommend checking their conditions individually as additional equipment may be required.

What is the best month to hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop?

Being one of the highest peaks in the Dolomites with an easy trail, it is expected for it to be quite full of visitors. Unfortunately, the high altitude means that this hike is only open during the summer months – from June to September.

In June, you are likely to still find some snow on the path. We recommend checking the conditions and webcams from Tre Cime di Lavaredo before going up to know exactly what you will find up there. During the months of June and September especially, it is common for the weather to change quickly on the trail, so be prepared with appropriate clothing.

We did the Tre Cime loop hike at the end of August and it was great. Arrive early to avoid the high heat of midday and also the crowds and you will be fine. We had a great experience overall; the trail was fairly empty and pleasant. We didn’t have much blue skies during the day, but that didn’t turn out to be a bad thing since it means it was not so hot. By the time we were leaving, around lunch time, Rifugio Auronzo was already packed and the parking lots completely full.

During the winter, access is not allowed due to climatic conditions.

Can you sleep or camp on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

Outside camping is not allowed, but people who want to spend the night can do so in one of the Rifugios. Rifugio Auronzo or Rifugio Locatelli are probably your best choices for that, as they are located in key points of the path and are fairly big. If you decide to sleep in any of the lodges, you should reserve your spot beforehand to make sure they save a bed for you. You can get in contact with Rifugio Auronzo via telephone +39 0474 972002 or e-mail [email protected].

People who travel in campervans or motorhomes have yet another choice: to sleep parked next to Rifugio Auronzo. As of 2024, the entrance fee for campervans in the park is 45 €.

Where to stay next to Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

The closest village is Misurina, which offers some options of cozy hotels around the lake. If you want to stay in a bigger and more connected city, Cortina d’Ampezzo is probably the best choice for you. Cortina is a charming city, with some of the best-rated hotels in the region, but it can be quite busy and costly. Book your stay in advance to get the best offers or get yourself accommodation in a small village that surrounds Cortina if you want to still stay within the mountains but outside of the tourist center.

Here are our recommendations of where to stay near the Tre Cime di Lavaredo:

• Grand Hotel Misurina – This is the largest hotel located by Lake Misurina and it is a very comfortable option for people who want to stay close to the Tre Cime hike. The Grand Hotel Misurina is a four-star hotel that offers parking and a restaurant at the site.
• Albergo Chalet Lago Antorno – This is an accommodation option located even closer to the entrance of the Tre Cime park. It offers modest rooms, but the installations are highly rated by its guests.
• Hotel Sorapiss – Another accommodation option located by the shore of Lake Misurina. This is a three-star hotel and it is also a great option of place to stay for exploring the hikes within the Tre Cime national park.