Passo Giau Cinque Torri Loop Hike in the Dolomites
The Passo Giau Cinque Torri Loop is an underrated hike in Italy, so you can’t miss it on your Dolomites Itinerary. Most visitors only make a quick stop at Passo Giau or take the chairlift up to Cinque Torri. In fact, this is one of the best hikes in the Dolomites, and the loop hike can be completed in a few hours. On the tour, you can enjoy panoramic views and walk through the open-air Great War Museum.
This ultimate guide to the Passo Giau Hike includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the hike, and practical information.
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Passo Giau to Cinque Torri Hike Details
Hike Distance: 10 km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Hike Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Hiking Trail: Path 452 → Rifugio Averau → Rifugio Scoiattoli → Path 443
Where is Passo Giau Located?
Passo Giau is located in the Dolomites, 20 km from Cortina d’Ampezzo, which can be reached in 30 minutes. From Cortina d’Ampezzo drive on the SR48 towards Pocol. When you arrive in Pocol, follow the SP638 on the left, which leads directly to the pass.
Best Time for Hiking
The best time to visit Passo Giau is from early June to mid-October. August is usually the busiest month in the Dolomites. If you want to avoid crowds and high prices, you should visit during the low season.
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Before you visit, check the weather forecast.
Passo Giau
Passo Giau is a magnificent pass in the Dolomites that should not be missed. At Passo Giau, you can easily park for free on the roadside, but spaces are limited. From the Passo Giau parking lot, you can follow the hiking trail up the steps to the viewpoint, which offers stunning photo opportunities.
Here, you can decide whether to just make a quick stop or start the Passo Giau Cinque Torri loop hike. During the trek, you can enjoy breathtaking views and walk through the open-air museum of the Great War.
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Don’t forget to take some fantastic photos of the Giau Pass “Snake Road”.
Read our → Ultimate Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary
The hike starts from Passo Giau. You have to pass directly behind the Berghotel Passo Giau, and then you have to choose which trail you want to hike.
Most people start from the left and go straight to the Rifugio Averau on path 452. You can reach the Rifugio mountain hut in about 1.5 hours, where you can stop for a break and have a delicious Italian meal. Then, enjoy the fantastic views and continue your hike to Cinque Torri, which takes about 30 minutes.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! Travel insurance is the best way to avoid extra expenses due to unexpected accidents, cancellations, delays, loss of personal items, and emergencies.
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Hungariandreamers readers get a 5% discount on Heymondo.
Cinque Torri
Cinque Torri, or the Five Towers, is a spectacular rock formation in the Italian Dolomites. During the World War I, the Italian army established its artillery headquarters in Cinque Torri. The unique view allowed them to prevent an Austrian counterattack.
The Cinque Torri is one of the best day hikes on the Dolomites Itinerary.
If you have limited time, you can skip the Passo Giau Cinque Torri loop hike. The quickest way to get to the Cinque Torri is to drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Baita Bai de Dones in about 20 minutes, where you will find a free parking area. The cable car station is just a few minutes from the car park, from where you can reach the top in about 10 minutes.
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If you are interested in climbing, don’t miss a visit to the Cinque Torri, one of the most popular climbing destinations in the Dolomites.
See also → Seceda Ridgeline
Once you arrive at the Rifugio Scoiattoli, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the stunning rock formations of the Cinque Torri. Next to the mountain hut, you will find an information map with the hiking routes and historical sites marked.
After that, you can continue your hike with a visit to the open-air museum of the Great War. There are different hiking trails in the Cinque Torri, most of which are simple and easy to follow, so choose the one you like.
The Cinque Torri Loop is only 2 km long and takes about 45 minutes.
Cinque Torri to Passo Giau
The paths lead to the defensive trenches and the various command posts with a fantastic panoramic view. Take time to explore and read the information boards along the trails.
After Cinque Torri, there are two routes back to Passo Giau. You can choose the same route as you came or another, the 443 path, which is steep and narrow.
The Passo Giau Loop Hike is 10 km long and takes about 3-4 hours.
Keep reading → Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike
Where to Stay near Passo Giau
Cortina d’Ampezzo is just a 30-minute drive from Passo Giau and 20 minutes from Baita Bai de Dones chairlift station (Cinque Torri), making it a fantastic base for visiting nearby hiking trails. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in the Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Luxury: Faloria Mountain Spa Resort
- Mid-Range: Radisson Residences Savoia Palace
- Budget: B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina
We hope you found our guide to the Passo Giau Hike useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – Heymondo
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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