This is probably the most famous hike in the whole Dolomites, and one of the best-loved panoramic walks in the Alps. The trail circles the three spires of the "pale mountains" (the Cima Grande, Cima Ovest and Cima Piccola), and the view changes at every step. The massif has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.
The loop is about 10 km long with a modest 400 metres of climbing. You start at Rifugio Auronzo (2,333 m) and pass Rifugio Lavaredo, the Forcella Lavaredo saddle and the historic Rifugio Locatelli, where the classic view of the north face opens up. Then you close the loop along the western flank.
There is nothing technical here, but the whole walk sits high up, between 2,300 and 2,450 metres, on trails that turn rocky in places. Bring proper trekking footwear, decent fitness and layers. Mountain weather flips fast, even in summer.
The route works for almost everyone: families with kids who are used to walking, first-time hikers, photographers chasing the light on the rock at dawn or dusk. That popularity has a cost, though. It is one of the busiest trails in the Dolomites, especially in August, so the start time you pick is the difference between a magical day and a crowded one. In the busiest periods, driving up the toll road has to be booked in advance on the official Auronzo Misurina booking portal.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Circuit: route, map and timings is one of the routes we gathered by grade and by area: Trekking in the Dolomites: the best trails and how to plan your hike.
How to get there — Rifugio Auronzo (2.333 m)
You set off from Rifugio Auronzo, reached by car from Misurina on a toll road (around €30 per car, check this year's rate) that climbs to the big car park at 2,320 m. In high season the spaces are gone by mid-morning, so get there before 8:30 am or take the scheduled bus that links Misurina and Cortina to the hut. On the busiest days the road shuts to private traffic and only a shuttle runs.
The trailhead is in the Auronzo e Misurina area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.
Stage by stage
1. From Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo
Set off on the easy, almost flat trail 101, skirting the south face of the Tre Cime. You reach Rifugio Lavaredo (2,344 m) in about 30 minutes.
2. Forcella Lavaredo and the north face
A short climb takes you to Forcella Lavaredo (2,454 m), the high point of the loop, where the dramatic north face of the three spires suddenly opens up in front of you.
3. Rifugio Locatelli and the return
Drop down to Rifugio Locatelli (2,405 m), the most photographed terrace in the Dolomites, then close the loop back to Auronzo along the western flank.
When to go & weather
Late June to early October is best, once the trails are clear of snow. July and August give you the most settled weather and the biggest crowds. September brings softer light, fewer people and the first autumn colour. The best light of the day falls at dawn, when the faces glow pink, and again in late afternoon. Skip the middle of the day in August and always check the forecast. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Recommended gear
- Hiking boots or trekking shoes with a grippy sole
- Layered clothing and a windproof / waterproof jacket
- At least 1–1.5 litres of water per person
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (intense sun at altitude)
- Trekking poles (helpful on the descent)
- Camera or fully charged smartphone
Useful tips
- Start early. Before 9 am you get parking, better light and quiet trails
- Walk the loop anticlockwise so the north face is ahead of you on the way in
- Bring cash for the toll road and the huts. Cards are not always accepted
- Plan a break at Rifugio Locatelli, the best photo spot on the whole circuit
- Check the forecast the night before and turn back if thunderstorms are due
Huts and rest points
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop start?
The loop starts at Rifugio Auronzo, at 2,333 metres, right below the south faces of the Tre Cime. You reach it from Misurina on the scenic toll road of about 6 km, or in summer on the shuttle buses from Dobbiaco and Misurina. From the big car park at the hut you pick up trail 101 and the loop begins straight away, with no approach walk.
How long is the Tre Cime loop and how hard is it?
It is about 10 km with 400 metres of climbing: 3-4 hours of actual walking, 4-5 with breaks and lunch at a hut. The difficulty is E, a straightforward hiking grade: wide, well-marked trails with nothing technical. You do walk the whole way between 2,300 and 2,450 metres though, so bring proper boots, water and layers: at this altitude the weather turns fast even in August.
Do you need to book the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo?
Yes, in the busiest periods you have to book car access online on the official Auronzo Misurina portal, entering your vehicle's number plate. Dates, time slots and availability are published on the portal: book early, because on summer weekends the slots go fast. When the car park is full the road closes and only the shuttle keeps running.
How much does the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo cost?
The toll changes from year to year, so check it on the official Auronzo Misurina portal before you set off. The price covers the drive up and parking at altitude by Rifugio Auronzo. If you want to save, leave the car in Misurina and take the shuttle, or walk up on the trails instead.
How do I get to the Tre Cime by public transport?
In summer, shuttle buses run straight up to Rifugio Auronzo: from the South Tyrol side, the shuttle from Dobbiaco (line 444), which must be booked online; from the Veneto side, the shuttle from Misurina, connected to the Dolomiti Bus lines from Cortina, Auronzo di Cadore and the railway station at Calalzo. Timetables and tickets are on the two services' official channels.
Can you do the Tre Cime loop with children?
Yes: the grade is E and there are no exposed sections, so the loop works for kids who are used to walking. Allow 4-5 hours with breaks and put them in proper hiking shoes, not trainers. If the full loop is too much, turn around at Rifugio Lavaredo or at the saddle: you still get the views.
Can you do the Tre Cime loop with a pushchair?
Only partly. The first stretch, from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo, runs on a wide, almost flat gravel track and is doable with a sturdy all-terrain pushchair. The full loop is not: the climb to Forcella Lavaredo and the rocky stretches on the west side are no place for wheels. With small children, a child carrier is the right call.
Which direction is best for the loop, clockwise or anticlockwise?
Almost everyone walks it anticlockwise: Rifugio Lavaredo, Forcella Lavaredo, then Rifugio Locatelli. That way the north side, the most spectacular one, opens up suddenly in front of you at the saddle, and the three towers stay in view for most of the walk. Clockwise works too, but you lose the surprise at the saddle.
Can you sleep in the huts around the Tre Cime?
Yes, along the loop you can stay overnight at Rifugio Auronzo, Rifugio Lavaredo and Rifugio Locatelli, the most sought-after for its view of the north faces. Beds are few and must be booked well ahead, especially from July to September. A night up there gives you sunrise and sunset on the Tre Cime without the daytime crowds, and it is the best way to photograph them.
When is the best time for the Tre Cime loop?
From late June to early October, when the trails are clear of snow. July and August have the most settled days but also the biggest crowds; September brings soft light, crisp air and far fewer people. Start early in the morning, whatever the season: you will find parking, get the best light and dodge the afternoon thunderstorms, which are common at this altitude.
Where can you eat along the Tre Cime loop?
There are three huts and one alpine dairy along the loop: Rifugio Auronzo at the start, Rifugio Lavaredo after half an hour, Rifugio Locatelli at the halfway point and Malga Langalm on the west side. In high season they are all open, but tables fill fast in the middle of the day. Bring at least a litre of water per person anyway.
