Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike: The Loop, the Huts and How to Get There

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo sit in the Sexten Dolomites in northern Italy, exactly on the boundary between South Tyrol and the province of Belluno. The nearest towns are Sexten (Sesto), Toblach (Dobbiaco), Misurina and Auronzo di Cadore; Cortina d'Ampezzo lies further to the south-west.

The three towers, listed east to west:

Three Peaks of Lavaredo, Drei Zinnen or Tre Cime?

All three names refer to the same formation. Tre Cime di Lavaredo is the Italian name, used in the province of Belluno to the south. Drei Zinnen is the German name used in South Tyrol to the north, where German is the first language for most residents. In English, the Three Peaks of Lavaredo is the closest translation, though most walkers and guidebooks use the Italian. The ridge on which the peaks stand was, until 1919, the border between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire; it remains a language border today, which is why both names appear on trail signs and maps throughout the area.

Why are the Tre Cime so famous?

The north faces of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo are near-vertical, and the view of all three faces together from near Rifugio Locatelli is the picture most people know from photos of the Dolomites. The area around the peaks forms the Three Peaks Nature Park, known as the Sexten Dolomites Nature Park until 2010, and the broader Dolomites became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. The loop trail is short enough to do in a day, which means the Drei Zinnen are accessible to a wide range of walkers rather than only experienced alpinists. For anyone interested in going further, the wider region offers plenty of hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is about 10 km, takes 3.5 to 4 hours of walking without long stops, and involves around 400 m of ascent and descent. It starts and finishes at Rifugio Auronzo on trails 101 and 105. This is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit that most visitors walk, and the route data in this section is specifically for that day hike, not for any of the multi-day options.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike map: the loop stage by stage

The table below works as a route card for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike map: five stages between four huts, with distance, walking time and the altitude at the end of each stage. On our trips the app shows the route on the map with your GPS position and a GPX file.

Anticlockwise (the most common direction):

Forcella Lavaredo (also called Paternsattel) at 2,454 m is the highest point of the Tre Cime loop. Short on time? Walk from Rifugio Auronzo via Rifugio Lavaredo to Forcella Lavaredo and back the same way: just over 6 km and about 2 hours, with the north faces in view from the pass. Want more? Sleep at the Dreizinnenhütte and walk the full loop on day 2 of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek (at least 6 hours from the Zsigmondyhütte), or start in Misurina as on the Best of Dolomites. The paths are wide gravel tracks for most of the circuit, with some rocky sections near Forcella Lavaredo and after Rifugio Locatelli. To walk clockwise, leave Rifugio Auronzo via trail 105 towards Malga Langalm and follow the same route in reverse; this puts you against the flow of most hikers.

World War I traces on the loop. From 1915 to 1917 the front line between Italy and Austria-Hungary ran right through the Tre Cime. Along and above the loop you can still see trenches, tunnels, iron ladders and memorial plaques. On Monte Paterno (Paternkofel), above Forcella Lavaredo, the Sexten mountain guide Sepp Innerkofler was killed on 4 July 1915. The wartime tunnels inside that mountain are now part of a via ferrata: you need a via ferrata set and a helmet, and they are not part of the loop.

Rifugio Auronzo: the trailhead

Rifugio Auronzo sits at the end of the toll road at just over 2,300 m and is the standard trailhead for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike. There is a large car park here, but since summer 2025 access requires an advance toll road booking (see the transport section below). Bus 444 from Toblach stops here, as does the Dolomiti Bus shuttle from Misurina. Rifugio Auronzo also offers overnight accommodation, which means it serves as the first night's stay on the Best of Dolomites five-day hut-to-hut trek that begins from Lago di Misurina.

Rifugio Locatelli and the north faces

Rifugio Locatelli, also called Dreizinnenhütte, stands at 2,405 m on the northern side of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and looks straight at all three north faces together. This is the moment most walkers stop for a long break and a hot drink. The hut can also be reached from Val Fiscalina, which is the approach used on the multi-day Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek (3 days). Staying overnight at Rifugio Locatelli means you can see the north faces in the evening light and at sunrise, well before the day hikers arrive from Rifugio Auronzo.

How difficult is the Tre Cime hike?

The Tre Cime hike is technically easy and suitable for beginners who can walk 3.5 to 4 hours continuously at altitude. There are two steeper climbs: up to Forcella Lavaredo and on the descent after Rifugio Locatelli, but neither requires scrambling or any technical equipment. Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support, a waterproof jacket and a warm mid-layer are the core kit; poles help on the descent. Children who are comfortable walking in the mountains for several hours can manage the loop. Note that climbing the three peaks themselves is a different matter entirely: that is mountaineering on serious rock, not part of the walking trail. For anyone who wants to build up gradually, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek spreads the experience over three days with stages of 5 to 7 km, making it well-suited to active families and first-time hut hikers.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop works perfectly as a day hike: drive or bus up, walk the circuit, return to the valley. The middle of the day is busy, particularly between Rifugio Auronzo and Forcella Lavaredo, so an early start is genuinely worthwhile. If you sleep in a hut, you sidestep the toll road rush entirely, see the Drei Zinnen in the soft light of evening and morning, and walk quieter paths before the day hikers arrive.

Day hike: take the toll road or bus to Rifugio Auronzo, walk the loop, descend the same day. Busy at midday in July and August.

Hut-to-hut: start from a valley trailhead, carry a pack for several days, sleep in rifugios with dinner and breakfast included. Quieter on the trail and far more memorable around the peaks.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo hut-to-hut trek in 3 days

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek is our self-guided three-day route, starting and finishing at Parkplatz Fischleinboden in Val Fiscalina near Sexten, on the northern side of the peaks:

• Day 1: Fischleinboden to Zsigmondyhütte (Rifugio Comici), 5.9 km, 710 m ascent, about 3 hours 20 minutes.
• Day 2: Zsigmondyhütte to Dreizinnenhütte (Rifugio Locatelli), 5.2 km, 380 m up and 220 m down, about 3 hours. If you want, you can add the full Tre Cime loop via Rifugio Lavaredo on this day, which takes at least 6 hours in total.
• Day 3: Dreizinnenhütte to Fischleinboden, 7.0 km, 930 m descent, about 3 hours 20 minutes. Total distance: 18.1 km.

Included in the price: hut bookings with half board (dinner and breakfast), a travel guide and access to our app with the route for each day on the map, your live GPS position, the elevation profile, GPX files, offline maps, and your booking details, itinerary, packing list, phone numbers for your huts and emergency numbers. On most of our trips the app also shows the weather for each hut. Private rooms are available on request for 75 euros extra per room per night. Not included: travel to and from Val Fiscalina, transfers, lunch, travel insurance and personal expenses. From 295 euros per person for two people, or 355 euros travelling alone (October 2026 rates). Free cancellation up to eight weeks before departure. The daily stages are laid out further down the page.

Longer treks around the Tre Cime

If you want to go further, there are three other options based in this corner of the Dolomites. The Best of Dolomites (5 days from Misurina to Lago di Braies) covers 56.9 km across five days, passing through Rifugio Auronzo and Dreizinnenhütte before heading north to Lago di Braies; from 620 euros per person for two people. The Misurina Tre Cime Experience (5 days) is based in a hotel on Lago di Misurina and includes the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop on day 2, plus walks to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint and Valle di Popena; from 1,295 euros per person for two people. For something shorter, the Cadini di Misurina Mini-Trek (2 days) links Rifugio Auronzo with Rifugio Fonda Savio and back via the Cadini viewpoint, 15.9 km in total; from 145 euros per person for two people.

Read more about the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint in our dedicated guide, or find out what makes Lago di Braies worth a visit at the end of a longer trek.

Late June to late September is the reliable window for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike, with September generally quieter and with softer light. Early morning or late afternoon slots are quieter on the trail and more rewarding for photography.

Late June: most huts open and the paths are usually clear, but snow can linger on higher sections.

July and August: peak season, busy on the trail and on the toll road. Book the toll road and huts as early as possible, ideally the previous winter.

September: noticeably quieter than August. The huts close around the end of the month, so confirm opening dates before you finalise plans.

Late September and October: the toll road often stays open into late October depending on snow conditions, but the rifugios along the loop close before then. If you are staying overnight in a hut, September is your last realistic option.

Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout July and August; if you hear thunder, descend from the exposed sections near Forcella Lavaredo and take shelter at one of the huts. Starting early usually puts you back at Rifugio Auronzo before storms build. Sleeping at Rifugio Locatelli is the easiest way to experience the Tre Cime at sunrise without any of the toll road congestion. If you want hut availability in summer 2027, booking over winter is sensible.

Around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo you can sleep at four huts: Rifugio Auronzo at the trailhead, Rifugio Lavaredo on the south side, Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte) on the northern side with the famous view, and Zsigmondyhütte (Rifugio Comici) in the Val Fiscalina approach. Malga Langalm is an alpine farm serving food and drink.

On our trips you sleep in a dormitory with half board (dinner and breakfast); private rooms are available on request for 75 euros extra per room per night. The huts are open roughly from late June to late September; outside this window they are closed and overnight stays are not possible. In July and August the huts around the Drei Zinnen are often full, so book well ahead. If you book the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek or the Best of Dolomites with us, we arrange all hut bookings as part of the package, so you do not need to contact each hut individually. Outside our trips you book each hut directly with the hut itself.

The most direct way to reach the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trailhead is by car on the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo, but since summer 2025 you need an online booking before you arrive. Alternatively, bus 444 runs from Toblach with advance booking, the Dolomiti Bus shuttle connects Misurina Genzianella to the trailhead with a stop at Lago d'Antorno, and you can also park for free at Lago d'Antorno and walk or take the shuttle from there.

Toll road: the road to Rifugio Auronzo branches off north of Lago di Misurina and climbs roughly 6 km to the car park. Since summer 2025, access has required an advance online booking with your vehicle number plate registered. Without a valid booking you will not be allowed through the barrier. Each ticket is valid for 12 hours from your booked entry time; if you plan to stay overnight in a hut, you need to book two consecutive 12-hour slots. The 2026 prices are 40 euros for a car, 26 euros for a motorbike and 60 euros for a motorhome (according to the toll road operator). The toll road usually opens in late May or early June and closes in late October or early November, depending on snow conditions. Check the rules and prices for 2027 before you travel, as the system is relatively new and details may change.

If you are joining the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek, the route starts in Val Fiscalina near Sexten, so you do not use the toll road or Rifugio Auronzo car park at all.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo parking: Rifugio Auronzo or Lago d'Antorno

Lago d'Antorno sits just below the toll gate, north of Lago di Misurina. Parking there is free and requires no booking. From the car park you take the Dolomiti Bus shuttle up to Rifugio Auronzo or walk. Day 1 of the Best of Dolomites runs from Misurina via Lago d'Antorno to Rifugio Auronzo: 10.4 km, 690 m of ascent, about 4 hours. It is a practical alternative if toll road slots are already sold out for your preferred date.

Bus 444 and other buses to Rifugio Auronzo

Bus 444 is the direct shuttle service from Toblach (Dobbiaco), running from the train and bus station with stops at Toblacher See, Dürrensee and Schluderbach before arriving at Rifugio Auronzo. In the 2026 season (31 May to 11 October) seats must be booked and paid for online in advance; the adult fare is 22 euros return and 16 euros one way (according to the operator; check again for 2027). Bus 444 does not stop in Misurina, and the South Tyrol Guest Pass gives no discount, only a larger seat allocation. From the Misurina Genzianella stop, a Dolomiti Bus shuttle runs daily in summer to Rifugio Auronzo, with a stop at Lago d'Antorno. Dolomiti Bus also operates summer services from Cortina d'Ampezzo towards the Tre Cime area. Timetables change each season, so check the current schedule before you travel.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop itself has no entry fee. What you pay for is getting there and eating along the way. The toll road costs 40 euros per car (2026 price); bus 444 costs 22 euros return per adult. Food and drinks at the rifugios are extra.

For multi-day options:

• Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek (3 days): from 295 euros per person for two people, or 355 euros travelling alone. Includes hut bookings with half board, travel guide and the app with route navigation, GPS position, elevation profiles, GPX files, offline maps, itinerary, packing list and hut and emergency phone numbers. Not included: travel to Val Fiscalina, lunch, drinks, travel insurance and personal expenses.
• Best of Dolomites (5 days): from 620 euros per person for two people, or 745 euros travelling alone. Includes the same services as above across four hut nights with half board.

Free cancellation applies up to eight weeks before departure. Private rooms are available on request for 75 euros extra per room per night. October 2026 rates; check the product pages for 2027 pricing.

How long is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike?

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is about 10 km with around 400 m of ascent. Most walkers take 3.5 to 4 hours of walking time without long breaks, starting and finishing at Rifugio Auronzo.

Can beginners hike the Tre Cime loop?

Yes. The Tre Cime loop is technically straightforward, with wide gravel paths for most of the route and no scrambling required. Two sections demand more effort: the climb to Forcella Lavaredo and the descent after Rifugio Locatelli. Beginners who can walk steadily for 3.5 to 4 hours at altitude will manage it comfortably with sturdy hiking boots, a rain jacket and a warm layer.

Is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike worth it?

Yes, for most walkers. The loop delivers views of the Drei Zinnen north faces from multiple angles and passes several huts where you can stop for food and drink. The main downside is that Rifugio Auronzo and the path to Forcella Lavaredo can be very busy at midday in peak season. Starting early or late in the day, or sleeping in a hut to see the peaks at sunrise, makes the experience considerably more rewarding.

Where does the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike start?

The standard starting point for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is Rifugio Auronzo, at the top of the toll road at just over 2,300 m. Bus 444 from Toblach and the Dolomiti Bus shuttle from Misurina also drop off here. The three-day Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek starts instead at Parkplatz Fischleinboden in Val Fiscalina near Sexten, on the northern side of the peaks.

Do you need to book the toll road to Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

Yes. Since summer 2025, driving up to Rifugio Auronzo requires an advance online booking with your vehicle number plate. Without a confirmed reservation you will not be allowed through the barrier. The 2026 price is 40 euros for a car, and each booking is valid for 12 hours from your chosen entry time. Check the rules and prices for 2027 with the operator before you travel.

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

Bus 444 runs from Toblach to Rifugio Auronzo with advance online booking required; the 2026 adult fare is 22 euros return. The Dolomiti Bus shuttle runs from Misurina Genzianella with a stop at Lago d'Antorno. Dolomiti Bus also operates services from Cortina d'Ampezzo. Check timetables for your travel dates before you go, as schedules vary each season.

What is the best time to hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

Late June to late September is the reliable season, with the huts open and paths generally clear of snow. September is the quietest month, with softer light. July and August are busy on both the trail and the toll road. Whatever month you choose, starting early in the morning keeps you ahead of the midday crowds and well clear of afternoon thunderstorms.

Can you stay overnight at the Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

Yes. Rifugio Auronzo, Rifugio Lavaredo and Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte) all offer overnight accommodation, typically from late June to late September. Huts fill up quickly in summer, so book well ahead. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo Trek from 295 euros per person includes two nights in huts with half board, so you get to see the north faces of the Tre Cime at sunrise, long before the day hikers arrive.