A trip to the Italian Dolomites wouldn’t be complete without seeing the three prominent monoliths of Tre Cime di Lavaredo from all angles. Although it’s certainly a busy hike, the views along the Tre Cime circuit will more than make up for it and because of the well-established infrastructure, litter and degradation are minimal.
8 Things You Need To Know About The Tre Cime Circuit Hike
1. Tre Cime Circuit: the stats
- Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
- Walking time: 4-5 h
- Hiking difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- When to go: June – October
- Total ascent: ca. 400 m / 1300 ft
- Parking: Rifugio Auronzo
- Map: Tabacco 010 Dolomiti di Sesto
2. Where does Tre Cime Circuit start?
The hike around the Three Peaks starts at Rifugio Auronzo. There is an ample parking lot right next to the refuge and a few parking attendants who make sure that no space goes to waste.
Getting to the trailhead by car
The Auronzo hut is accessible via a 7-kilometer-long toll road. The toll varies between different vehicle sizes. A fee for a standard car currently stands at €30 and €45 for a campervan.
The road is open between the end of May and the end of October, weather depending. This means that it can close or open at a later date on short notice when snow or ice is still present.
The toll gate is usually manned between 6 AM and 5 PM, but during the summer peak times, you can enter earlier by collecting a ticket from the machine and paying at the exit. Cards are accepted. The outgoing traffic can leave at any time.
More useful info on the Auronzo toll road:
- Rifugio Auronzo Toll Road: Everything You Need to Know by Moonhoney Travel
- Toll road to the Three Peaks by the official South Tirol website
Getting to the trailhead by bus
If you want to save money (and the environment) there are a couple of different bus options depending on what town in the Dolomites you are staying at:
- If you are staying in Dobiacco (Toblach) take bus no. 444 from Toblach train station to Auronzohütte. Approx. journey time is 50 minutes and the ticket cost starts at € 7.50. There are 6 stops en-route
- If you are staying in Misurina walk to the Abzweigung Misurina or the Misurina – Genzianella bus stop. Those are 2 of the bus stops along the 444 bus route.
- If traveling from Cortina D’Ampezzo look for schedules on the Moovitapp by typing Cortina as your starting point and Rifugio Auronzo as your endpoint.
For the first two options use the Sued Tirol Mobil site to check the bus times.
Hiking to rifugio Auronzo
To avoid paying the steep toll fees, you can also hike up to Rifugio Auronzo from either the free pothole-ridden car park at Lago d’Antorno or a small car park near the toll gate. The path runs parallel to the road.
This takes around 1.5 – 2 hours and involves a considerable amount of elevation gain (ca. 500 meters). If you still plan on hiking the Tre Cime circuit and are not a strong hiker then take the bus.
3. In which direction it is best to hike the Tre Cime circuit?
The route counter-clockwise around the Tre Cime is preferable because the views will be in front of you more of the time. This is the choice most hikers follow.
If you plan on doing the extensions, which I will talk about towards the end of this article, then it’s better to hike it clockwise.
4. Tre Cime Circuit Map
Above you can see the outline of the Tre Cime Circuit trail. The trail has been marked with yellow color. Purple lines are the extensions. Click on the arrow button in the top left corner to see different layers of the map.
This map is for showcasing purposes only. For navigation use the Tabacco Map no. 010.
5. Tre Cime Circuit trail description
Stage 1: Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo:
- Hiking time: 20-30 minutes
- Trail number: 101
Hike to the right (east) of Rifugio Auronzo and begin your circumnavigation on path nr 101. It’s well-maintained, flat, and wide.
Even wide enough for the farm vehicles herding the cattle and for the maintenance/delivery vehicles working at Rifugio Lavaredo.
Shortly after passing a scenic little chapel, you’ll be at Rifugio Lavaredo. This part takes around 20-30 minutes.
Stage 2: Rifugio Lavaredo to Rifugio Locatelli
- Hiking time: 45-60 minutes
- Trail number: 101
From the Lavaredo hut, it’s a short uphill burst to one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Italian Dolomites, Forcella Lavaredo. This vantage point is the highest on the entire loop. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
From here continue on the upper or the lower path nr 101 toward Rifugio Locatelli which you’ll be able to see glistening in the distance to the north.
The upper path is considerably quieter and not that much harder. They run parallel to each other. Turn around and look at the three distinct peaks.
In roughly 45 minutes to an hour, you’ll be at the next hut – rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte).
Stage 3: Rifugio Locatelli to Rifugio Auronzo via Malga Langalm
- Hiking time: 2-2.5 hours
- Path number: 105
To continue the circuit, from Rifugio Locatelli the trail drops downhill towards the three peaks crossing sometimes waterlogged areas of grass and rock. You’ll have some serious neck ache if your eyes become captivated by the climbers seen attached to the faces of Tre Cime.
All too quickly you’ll be at Malga Langalm which unfortunately doesn’t have any overnight facilities but does have a great restaurant and bar. It is also situated next to three very photogenic reflective ponds.
The route then heads uphill to the Forcella del Col de Mèdo and then back round to Rifugio Auronzo, where you started your journey.
6. Tre Cime Circuit extensions
For those seeking more adventure, the Tre Cime circuit offers many extensions and with the vast mountain hut network in the region, you can easily plan a couple of nights in the area and really take advantage of what this national park offers.
Refer to my map above to understand where these extensions are.
Extension 1: Cadini Di Misurina Viewpoint (60-90 minutes extra time)
The beloved viewpoint amongst photographers. The jagged Cadini di Misurina viewpoint lies only a 30-40 minute walk from Rifugio Auronzo. If you have an extra hour to spare consider this little detour for a photo of yourself with this dramatic backdrop.
Extension 2: Via Ferrata Innerkofler (2 – 2.5 hours extra time)
The World War I tunnels and the summit of the dramatic-looking Monte Paterno. This beginner-level via ferrata is a great addition to the Tre Cime circuit as it runs parallel to the path between Forcella Lavaredo and Rifugio Locatelli.
If you plan on tackling via ferrata Innerkofler then I recommend hiking the circuit clockwise.
It’s important to remember that to tackle via ferratas you will need to have special equipment. For more info check out my beginner’s guide to via ferrata climbing in the Italian Dolomites.
Extension 3: Via Ferrata Torre Di Toblin (2 hours extra time)
This 2-hour loop gives you an exhilarating glimpse into the history of World War I and the battles fought in these mountains between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops.
In addition, the views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo from the summit of Torre di Toblin are worth the climb along ladders attached to vertical walls.
Both are excellent climbs and one can easily be added to your day trip. If you want to complete both Via f=Ferrata Torre Di Toblin and Innerkofler then I suggest booking a night in Rifugio Locatelli.
Laghi dei Piani & World War I tunnels (30-60 minutes extra time)
If you are not a strong climber or don’t have the correct equipment, I suggest exploring on foot the nearby Laghi dei Piani (lakes) and the famous Tre Cime war tunnels. Both of which are only a few hundred meters away from rifugio Locatelli and clearly visible from the hut.
7. The huts along the Tre Cime Circuit
Even though the Tre Cime circuit can be tackled in a day, there is no need to rush! If you would like to complete any of the extensions, I highly recommend booking a night in one of the huts along this trail.
For more information on the ins and outs of staying in a mountain hut in the Italian Dolomites go to my other article.
Rifugio Auronzo
This is where the trail starts and ends. Rifugio Auronzo is a great and affordable overnight option for visiting the Dolomites.
It can be reached by car, bus, or on foot.
The hut belongs to the Italian Alpine Club and offers 104 beds across rooms and dormitories.
Rifugio Lavaredo
The second hut along the Tre Cime circuit. Rifugio Lavaredo is privately owned and it was established in 1954.
The hut has amazing sunrise views of the dramatic Cadini Di Misurina and Marmarole mountain ranges.
Prices start at 72 Euro/per person for half-board in a dormitory and 78 Euro/per person for a private room.
Rifugio Locatelli
To be close to all the action rifugio Locatelli is the place to be, but because of its fame, this is the toughest Rifugio to get reservations at.
The hut lies along the Alta Via 4 backpacking route, which has been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years.
The price per night is 60 Euros for Alpine Club members or 72 for non-members.
8. Other activities in and near the Tre Cime Nature Park
- 4-day hut-to-hut Tre Cime Traverse
- Croda Fiscalina Circuit
- Via Ferrata Strada Degli Alpini
- Via Ferrata Sentiero Bonacossa
- Via Ferrata Merlone
Where to stay nearby
Cortina D’Ampezzo
Only 30 minutes drive away from the trailhead. Cortina is one of the main hubs for exploring the Dolomites
Check for hotel prices in Cortina
Misurina
The closest town to the trailhead. The town lies on the shoreline of Lake Misurina.
Check for hotel prices in Misurina
Dobbiaco
One of the towns in Val Pusteria in the northern parts of the Dolomites with great access to many main attractions.
Check for hotel prices in Dobbiaco
More travel and hiking resources in the Dolomites
- Photography spots in the Italian Dolomites
- Via ferratas in the Italian Dolomites
- Day hikes in the Italian Dolomites
- Hut-to-hut treks in the Italian Dolomites
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If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!
Great article and information so thank you very much! I have a question about the toll road if you don’t mind asking. Is the entrance ticket good for just one entry or can you leave and return the same day? I am doing photography and want to shoot Tre Cime at sunset and Cadini in the morning. Would I need to hang out all day as as to not pay 30 Euro’s twice?
Hi Kevin. Thanks for visiting. As far as I know it is for one entry and exit. What I recommend is staying at one of the huts around the Tre Cime circuit overnight to get the most of the light.
Hi Marta, thank you for creating all these content! It’s amazing! I am using it as a guide for planning my trip to the dolomites in October. I have a question – you suggested doing the Tre Cime loop clockwise if intending to do an extension of the Via Ferrata Innerkofler. May I know the reason why? I intend to do the Tre Cime loop, via Ferrata Innerkofler and Cadini di Misurina all in one day. Can you recommend a best route for good views and photography. Greatly appreciate your input.
Hi Pinky. Thanks for visiting. The reason it is better to walk the circuit clockwise is because via ferrata Innerkofler begins at Rifugio Locatelli and runs to Lavaredo saddle near Rifugio Lavaredo. If you were to do the loop anticlockwise then Lavaredo comes first then Locatelli.
Wow Marta! what a great website! Thanks so much for sharing your experience 🙂 it has been very helpful in my holiday planning!
A quick question about the “Extension 3: Via Ferrata Torre Di Toblin”. Would this trail be considered Moderate compared to the rest of the trail?
Hi Nicole. Via ferrata Torre di Toblin is a via ferrata (iron path). You can click on the link in the text and check out the separate article about the ferrata. You need a via ferrata gear to tackle it. It’s an intermediate ferrata. Tre Cime Circuit is just a hiking trail. I hope that helps!
Hi Marta,
your site is an inspiration!
we already hiked the multiday Rosengarten and Adamello Brenta (3 days).
Thanks for the great and detailed information, whenever I visit this site it makes me want to be in the mountain…
now for the question:
Is it possible to hike the Tre Cime circuit in mid-November?
Hi Laliv. Thanks for your fantastic feedback. As for the question the road to rif. Auronzo closes at the end of October so if you were to hike the Circuit in Mid November you would have to hike from the toll gate. which would add quite a bit of time. Last year we had very little snow and hiking was possible until mid November, but generally speaking by late October most trails are snow covered. Rifugio Locatelli has a webcam where you can check snow situation so before heading out so late in the season that’s what I would recommend doing.
Thanks,
can you suggest another day hike that is reasonable to do in mid-November?
Hi Laliv. Please check out my post about Best day hikes in the Dolomites. There is info there as to when each trail is hikeable.
Hi
Is it possible to hike the Tre Cime circuit and/or VF Paterno in mid April? I understand the conditions are not ideal. I’m prepared to hike from Lago Antorno past the toll booth. My concern is the trail/snow depth and hardness. Thank you for your advice!
Hi Victor. Thanks for visiting. your comment was posted twice so I deleted the other one (comments need to be approved first before they appear here).
Now to your question. Yes, it is possible to hike to Locatelli in April, however, going on ski touring skis or with snowshoes would make more sense than microspikes. Those are good for icy conditions, not for snow. Another thing to bear in mind is that even though it is possible I can’t tell you whether it will be possible for you. Hiking in the mountains during winter conditions requires experience. Whether you have that experience or not, is something you only know. I would also never ever encourage anyone to hike on their own, especially during winter conditions.
The path does cross some steep slopes, especially underneath Monte Paterno, where there is avalanche risk during unfavorable conditions. Spring avalanches carry a lot of heavily packed snow with them. Locatelli has a webcam. If you google it you will be able to see how much snow there currently is in the area. I had a look today out of curiosity and it looks like Forcella Lavaredo doesn’t have much snow, but the path beneath Monte Paterno looks completely snow covered at the moment. Not sure if that helps but hopefully it will give you some food for thought.
Thank you for your reply. Your answers are always elegant and intelligent, which explains why your website is so popular!
Thank you so much Victor for your nice compliment. Much appreciated.
Marta- Have enjoyed all the beta on your site. Super helpful. Was wondering about your thoughts on Lavaredo v. Rosetta v. Fonda Savio. I have a family of 4 (kids 18 and 20). Son is not really into hiking but will do it for this type of experience. Thinking of just 2 nights.
Thanks,
Ian
Hi Ian. Thanks for stopping by. Your question is so broad I am having trouble grasping what answer are you exactly looking for. If your kid isn’t into hiking then go for either Lavaredo or Rosetta. Fonda Savio requires around 500 meters of elevation gain. Lavaredo can be reached within 30 minutes on a flat path and Rosetta within 15 minutes from the top of the gondola station. As for location, I think Lavaredo has pretty amazing views and the quick access to the Lavaredo Saddle with the awesome view of the Three Peaks as well as the view of the Cima Cadin is hard to beat.
Marta Thanks for the reply. Let me try to tighten my question a bit:) We would like to be somewhere away from crowds and also where could do a nice day in, some sort of loop or out and back on day 2 and then out the 3rd day (ideally, completing a loop). I know that this idea won’t work for many huts. Fonda Savio seems like it has out and back options for the 2nd day as well as a loop to and from the hut for day 1 and day 3. I also have a lead on Tierser Alpl and their family relation’s hut, Santerpass. Looks likes there is a nice loop among the other huts from Tierser, but to continue on to Santerpass would require a valley shuttle to complete the overall trip. Hope this makes sense… I have friends joining us from Germany and one may up for some cable assisted climbs- seems both huts have something to offer in that department. Thoughts on just these two huts? While I say my son is no super into it, he has completed some backpacking trips with 30 lb pack over 8 miles, 2000′ vertical. I figure for this trip I can be the sherpa and he can carry a daypack. I know, I know, I am enabling my child!
Thanks again, Ian
Hi Ian. Tierser Alp would be a great hut for you. If you look at my post about the best mountain huts in the Dolomites, Tierser Alp hut is on the list. You could do a loop hike from it to Rifugio Passo Principe -> rifugio Antermoia then back to Tierser Alp. There is also via ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano right next to the hut and via ferrata Catinaccio accessible from rifugio Passo Principe. It would also be possible to walk from Tierser Alp to Santner Pass and back in a day, with no need to take the valley shuttle. It will be a full-day hike though. You could also stay in the Alberto Primero refuge or Santner Pass for the night then come back to Tierser Alp.
Fonda Savio is a great hut, but the extensions from the hut are via ferratas (Merlone and Bonacossa), Your comment about being a sherpa for your son made me laugh, The good thing about hut to hut hiking in the Dolomites is that you can all wear just a day pack. You should definitely check out my packing list for the hut-to-hut hikes.
Marta
I greatly appreciate your perspective and thoughts on the 2 huts. We’ll definitely pursue the Tierser Alp- the loop you suggested make sense- when I saw their map, I didn’t see it so thanks for the suggestion!!
Have a great climbing and trekking season!!
Cheers- Ian
Back at you! Let me know how your trip goes.
Hi there. Thanks for your posts. They are great! Will be going to the Dolomites for the first time in early August with my family. I would like to ask you a few questions please:
1- in terms of best photography light for seeing the Tre Cime illuminated during sunrise where is the best place to be ? And the same for sunset.
2- itinerary question please.
Day 1: Arrive Refugio Lavaredo about 6 pm. If possible visit Crodi Misurina before the Refugio Lavaredo. (is sunset good lightning?)
Day 2. On our way to Refugio Locatelli where we will spend the night. We will hike the Fiscalina trail. Sleep at Locatelli.
Day3. Will finish the Tre Cime circuit the last morning and will go to hike Croda da Lago.
Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks for your help. Veronica.
Hi Veronica. Thanks for visiting. I think for sunrise the best spot is Forcella Lavaredo and for sunset anywhere around rifugio Locatelli. Since you will be staying at Rifugio Lavaredo you will have great access to the Lavaredo Saddle.
Locatelli is also great for photographing the sunrise so you can’t go wrong here.
By Crodi Misurina I presume you are talking about the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint. I photographed it for sunrise, but sunset is also a good option so don’t worry here. Now regarding hiking Val Fiscalina on the way to Locatelli coming from Lavaredo this doesn’t make any sense. Val Fiscalina is north of Locatelli, Lavaredo is South of Locatelli. Tre Cime Circuit and Croda Fiscalina Circuit (which goes through Val Fiscalina) are two separate trails that meet at Rifugio Locatelli. Whilst of course you can hike it, it makes sense to go from Lavaredo to Locatelli first, drop off your staff and then hike the Croda Fiscalina circuit which will first take you through Sassovecchio valley down to rifugio Fondovalle then up to Zsigmundy hut through Val Fiscalina, Pian Di Ciengia hut and back to Locatelli. You will still do the whole circuit, just start it in a different spot than described in my Croda Fiscalina circuit post.
Day 3 sounds very intense. I would suggest hiking the first part of Croda Da Lago circuit to Rifugio Palmieri staying the 3rd night there and then finishing the circuit on day 4.
I hope that helps!
Hi Marta
I know the trail to Tre Cime starts at rifugio Auronzo and you indicated the ascent is 400m. If I am going tp rifugio Locatelli is the ascent there more than 400 m?
Thanks
Jerry
Hi Jerry. The whole ascent along the Tre Cime circuit is around 400 meters and it is an undulating trail. Rifugio Locatelli is around 40% into the trail when going counterclockwise and the total ascent to Locatelli will also be around 40% of the total 400 meters done along the circuit. Let me know if that helps.
Hi Marta,
Your information has been absolutely invaluable on our trip here in the Dolomites. Just wanted to provide an update that the Cortina winter bus schedule is coming into effect as of tomorrow Sept 12, 2022. There are no longer any bus services to the auronzo/misurina/tre cime route from Cortina. We are finding out the hard way as we just arrived in Cortina today and have to pay for a taxi to get to that area tomorrow. We plan on hiking 117 from Rifugio Auronzo to Fonda Savio & staying there for the night. Plan will be to do VF Merlone the following morning.
Public transport worked amazing for all the places we visited up until this point (thanks again for the detailed advice on that!) but for anyone coming to cortina soon – highly recommend getting a car in Venice. Unfortunately nothing available in Cortina itself that we could find.
Thanks again for all your incredibly helpful advice to everyone!
Hi Paula! Thanks so much for your feedback. I am sure it will come in handy for others and I will try and update my post with this info. Have an amazing time doing the Sentiero Bonaccossa and then the via Ferrata Merlone. If the weather is just as beautiful in the Dolomites today as it is in Tirol where I am currently then you will have the perfect day for it!
Hi Marta,
I am completely captivated by your website! I’ve been scouring the internet for days and inafarawayland.com is exceptional. Your detailed information, spectacular photos, and thoughtful texts are enormously helpful. Thank you.
My husband and I plan to spend 12 days day-hiking in the Dolomites in mid-September. We will have a car. We’re in our mid-70s and in excellent health.
I have a couple of basic questions:
Does it make sense to stay in one hotel-inn for a week*–have a base from which to make day hikes, then move to another region for 5 nights, instead of moving from hotel to hotel every couple of days? It seems like it would cut down on driving time and that’s appealing to us. I’m already thinking about a return trip next year.
If so, in what region(s) of the Dolomites do we stay? Can you recommend a couple of towns in two different areas? And hotels?
*There’s a hotel I’m intrigued with, the Hotel Dolomitenhof in Sesto. They have a 3-night minimum stay. Looks like it’s close to the Tre Cime hikes. But is it within an hour’s drive of 4 days of great hiking?
That’s a lot of questions! Thanks for any information you can offer.
All the best to you,
CD Happel
Bozeman, Montana
Hi CD, Thank you so much for your amazing feedback! I really appreciate it.
As for your questions:
I would recommend staying at least in two places otherwise you will be driving back and forth a lot. Val Pusteria is a great place to start with and Hotel Dolomitenhof in Sesto would be a great choice. You can do the Croda Fiscalina circuit from there (Val Fiscalina hike – you can find it on my site). Another great one is the Durrenstein summit and Seekofel Summit or Lago di Braies circuit.
I am not sure what you mean by the hotel is “within an hour’s drive of 4 days of great hiking?” What 4 days?
Another great valley to stay in is Val Gardena and the hikes you will have access too are: Vallunga (you can turn it into a circuit and walk to rifugio Puez then back down), Sassolungo Circuit, Adolf Munkel trail. You could also do a few beginners via ferratas in the area (Gran Cir, Sass De Putia).
Whatever you choose you do have to bear in mind that due to lack of tunnels driving in the Dolomites might be tiring as you often have to drive up and down the mountain passes over many curvy roads. No way to avoid it. Let me know if I can help further!
Hello Marta,
Love your website and found it very helpful! My husband and I will be travelling to Italy in July and will
stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Our first full day we plan to hike the Tre Cime Di Lavaredo and Cadini Di Misurina. Do we need to buy tickets online to hike these to show at the entrance of Rifugio Auronzo or is it just the park entrance fee?
Our second day we will head to Ortisei and hike Seceda. We wish we had more time to see more Do you recommend any others close to Cortina d Ampezzo?
Thank you for your help!!
Hi Lynsey. Thanks for stopping by. Just to give you heads up you are hitting two most visited spots in the Dolomites, so expect crowds. lots of them! As for the Tre Cime Trek there is a road that leads to rifugio Auronzo which is paid. If the parking lot at the top fills up the gate will shut and you will either have to take the bus or hike the extra few kilometres. There are also buses directly from Cortina which is probably the best option. If you want to see Tre Cime with less crowds then I highly encourage you to try the approach from Val Fiscalina (I have the hike described on my site).
I really love the Croda Da Lago Circuit hike which is near Cortina. Lake Sorapiss is another great one, albeit busy so it’s essential to leave really early.
I would also highly recommend checking out Durrenstein summit or Col De la Puina. The guide to the latter hike will be published this week. I understand the urge to see the highlights, but overtourism in both of those places, that you want to visit, can be really offputting and I always encourage anyone who visits the Dolomites to try different locations. Let me know if you have more questions! Happpy hikinh, Marta.
Hi Marta,
Thank you so much for your recommendations! Love your blog! Not enough time to see it all but this just means we will have to return to Italy!
No worries! I hope you have loads of fun and do return one day for more!
Hi Marta. Yes, we did know the rifugios would be closed when we were there, that and we would have to do the extra hike from Lake Antorno but we didn’t let that deter us 🙂 There was only small sections of snow on the circuit. In these sections it was packed down from people walking on it. Some parts were a bit slippery but they were perfectly fine if you took your time and side stepped a bit. Fortunately there was no “post-holing” sections in the snow. Thanks for the information on your dog – sounds like from the breed he’s high energy and very intelligent (so a handful!). Hoping for continued success for your blog – I know these things are a lot of hard work.
Hi Jason! I am glad to hear you were able to make it. It must have been quite an excursion walking all the way from Lake Antorno. Yes, my doggo is a handful because he is very reactive and goes from 0 to 100 in 2 seconds, but he is also still very young so I hope he will settle at some point. He is the best though!:) Thanks for the well-wishing!
Thanks for this Marta. My wife and I completed the hike today (May 30, 2022) and found your blog post very useful, heck we even ripped off your cave photograph!
A couple of things that we encountered. Firstly, we had to park in the free parking area as the entrance gate and refugios were not open yet for the season. After parking, we walked past the hotel and along the paved road to just past the entry payment shack. From here we took a well marked hiking path (to the right) through the forest thinking it was a short cut. While hiking through the forest was great, we found out it wasn’t any faster than taking the paved road to the top (there was another couple just ahead of us that took the road and we met them the same time at Rifugio Auronzo)
Second, we walked around counter-clockwise (east) like you suggested but actually found many of the best mountain views were behind us. I think either direction might work – either clockwise or counter clockwise, but that might be just personal preference.
One question, what breed is your dog Jasper? On my travels in Europe I’ve seen several dogs that look similar, but sadly I’ve never seen one in Canada where I’m from.
Hi Jason! I am glad to hear you were able to complete the circuit and it must have been quite the excursion walking all the way from Lake Antorno and back. I always just started it from the parking lot near rifugio Auronzo. I do say in the text that the huts and road don’t usually open until the mid or third week of June. Did you encounter any snow still? As for the views, I reckon whichever way you decide to follow there are always going to be great views. I am glad you enjoy it!
As for Jasper, he is an Australian Shepherd. This breed has become quite popular amongst active people in recent years. Just giving you a heads up, he is a handful, in case you are interested in having a dog 😀 I love him to bits but I wouldn’t get a puppy ever again 😉
Hi Marta,
Your site is wonderfully helpful!! We hope you can help us. We are visiting the Dolomites June 20 -21, and are arriving from Venice with a rental car. Sadly we only have these 2 days. Our hope is to hike Rifugio Auronzo (Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop) June 20 afternoon. We heard different things about this hike. Is it easy or moderate, and how long is the loop to hike? We are staying near Lago di Braies for Monday night.
The next day, we visit Lago di Braies in the morning, then drive to Rifugio Lagazoui in the afternoon. We hope to take the cable car up to the summit and hike back down. Do you know how long the hike down is, and we heard it was an easy downhill hike? We then travel to Kastelruth for Tuesday night.
I know we are crushing a lot into 2 days — We wish we had more time to spend in this beautiful part of Italy.
Thank you, Kelly
Hi Kelly! Thanks for visiting. Yes, you are doing it in a flash! Do reconsider visiting Lago di Braies though. Whilst it’s a nice lake what you often can’t see in the photos is behind the scenes. A massive car park, a hotel, and tons of trash next to the lake. It’s quite sad, to be honest. Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is also the busiest hike in the Dolomites and you can expect hundreds of people. If you want to have a different experience I would really urge you to reconsider your itinerary and do something else. Maybe go to San Martino di Castrozza and hike to Monte Castellaz (you can find the description on my site). Then travel to Alleghe and check out the lake there, grab a gondola and hike to Lake Coldai. You will see absolutely stunning sites with a fraction of the tourists!
as for your questions Tre Cime loop is easy in terms of hiking difficulty but it is not a walk in the park. The path is wide most of the way and there is no big drops or anything, but you still have around 400 meters of elevation gain and loss on this hike. If you have never hiked before you will find it difficult, if you are a seasoned hiker you will find it easy. As for the distance it is 10 km/6 miles in total. I have the starts at the beginning of the hike. If you do insist on visiting Lago di Braies make sure to go there really early. the road is often very congested with traffic from early morning.
As for Lagazoui. If you plan on hiking through the Lagzuoi tunnels it is actually easier to hike up and then catch the gondola down. The tunnels are quite low so bending down on the way down isnt easy. A torch and a helmet are necessary.
If you plan on hiking down via Kaiserjäger route then bear in mind there are some cables along the way and at time the route is steep and narrow.
You can also hike down to Forcella Travenanzes and then via the ski slope (in the summer there will be no snow on it) down to Passo Falzarego. This one is the easiest route out of the 3.
I hope that answers it for you! Happy travels! Marta
Hi Marta!
Your website is by far the most helpful guide I’ve found all week in planning for my trip to the Dolomites in August, so thank you for such extensive details and descriptions! I had a clarification question about the parking – if using the toll gate, you are able to leave at any time (past 5pm) is that correct?
Thank you!
Hi Galina! Thanks for stopping by and your fantastic feedback! Yes, you can leave any time no worries!
Hi Marta. My girlfriend and I are planning to do the Tre Cime di Lavaredo next week and I was wondering if you know of any place where we can park our motorcycle for the day?. I read in your previous comment’s response that it is possible to hike up even at this point of the year and that we may need to stick to the southern face of the peaks (depending on snow conditions) but as the toll road is closed we are not sure if there are any other parking options around the area?.
P.S.: I loved your website and this post is so detailed! Super helpful!.
Thanks!
Carlos
Hi Carlos. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, be ready to turn around if there is still lots of snow. As for parking, there is a small parking lot right before the access gate to the road or another one 1 km further down near Lago D’Antorno. Here is the link https://goo.gl/maps/dxLWwJpjJWBMu1Us6
Hi Marta
We are two danish photographers who are planning a trip to the Dolomites the first week of May 2022.
We want to trek the circuit around Tre Cime but we are a little unsure on how the situation is concerning the drive up to refugio Auronzo. You say that the the road opens end of May – is that a fixed deadline or can we be lucky enough to see the road open in early may – weather permitting.
Thanks
Flemming
Hi Flemming. Thanks for visiting my site. The road opening to rifugio Auronzo corresponds with the opening of the actual refuge which is usually around mid June. It’s not a matter of luck. You can still hike up, but prepare for snow on the Northern Slopes. At this stage, there is very little snow in the mountains at the moment. All valleys are clear of snow, but it’s supposed to start snowing again next week. Generally speaking hiking at higher altitudes should be put off until mid-June, when most of the slopes are clear of snow. You can however hike comfortably at around 1000-1500 meters a.s.l even now, or on the south-facing slopes. By the way, I plan to be in the Dolomites at the start of May too! I hope that helps!
Hi Marta,
Please help me. I have a number of questions. on the Vajolet Towers hike. I am an aggressive hiker but I have a friend who is a casual hiker, he is a big guy and walks on FLAT trails at 2.5 mph or 4.0 km/hr. Should he attempt this hike? Also there seems to be two different chairlifts from either side of the mountain to take? Is one side easier than the other? If so is the easier side a longer hike? How much longer each way?
My friend thinks we should go up the easier side and return the same way. Also is the 10 km distance round trip from either lift or is that one way? Everywhere I look I see this hike is rated either Challenging, Difficult or Strenuous. I’m wondering if my friend should even attempt it. He has been looking forward to doing this hike ever since watching a YouTube video of it.
I want him to do it but I am afraid that we won’t make it back to the chairlift by the 5:30 shut down.
Hi Gary. You posted your comment twice, so I removed the second one as they were the same. First of all thanks for stopping by. It would be easier to approach Vajolet towers by using the Catinnacio gondola and starting at the Ciampede refuge. The thing is the stretch between Ciampede refuge and Vajolet refuge will be easy. There is some elevation gain, but it’s very gradual and the road is wide. It’s after the Vajolet refuge on the approach to rifugio Alberto Primiero (Gartlhuette) where it gets tricky. It’s very steep, with some iron cables to hold on to. It’s just rocky terrain and I would say for fit people only. It is challenging and it’s the only approach that is not via ferrata. 4km/hr sounds like a very slow going. Why don’t you try and stay in one of the huts along the way, that way you don’t have to stress whether you will make it back or not! Let me know if that helps!
Wow Marta,
this website is incredible. I have 5 Canadians with me next July and we plan on doing the “Tre Cime Circuit Hike”. I would like to spread it out over two days and stay at Rifugio Locatelli. Is there a back up Rifugio if we are not able to get accommodation’s at Rifugio Locatelli.
Thanks
Luca
Hi Luca. Thanks for your great feedback. Tre Cime Circuit is only a 3-4 hour hike so splitting it in two days you might find it not challenging enough. I would highly recommend that you look into approaching Tre Cime through Val Fiscalina. You can stay your first night in Rifugio Pian di Cienga if rifugio Locatelli is fully booked. You could then continue to see the Tre Cime and walk out via Val Campo Di Dentro. That seems like a more reasonable itinerary if you plan an overnight stay. Another refuge close to Locatelli is Rifugio Lavaredo. Check out the category for hut to hut treks in the Dolomites on my site and the Tre Cime traverse in particular. Let me know if you have more questions!