Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike: Complete Guide & Photo Spots (+Map)

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike: Complete Guide & Photo Spots (+Map)

Are you planning a hike to Tre Cime di Lavaredo? It is a renowned mountain destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting the Three Peaks of Lavaredo was one of our favorite experiences in the Dolomites, so we highly recommend adding it to your Dolomites Itinerary.

The Tre Cime, also known as Drei Zinnen in German, is one of the best and most popular hikes in the Dolomites, which can easily combined with the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint (as we did).

This ultimate guide to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike includes the best time to visit, how to get there by shuttle bus or car, what to expect on the hike, practical information, and insider tips. Use the map at the bottom of this post to find the best photo spots and hike independently.

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How to Get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo

To start the hike, you first need to reach the Rifugio Auronzo parking lot at the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The quickest way to get there is by car or shuttle bus. The Auronzo Hut is a 40-minute drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo and Dobbiaco/Toblach, 2.5 hours from Bolzano, and a 20-minute drive from Misurina. But you can also walk to the parking lot if you’re on a budget or want to hike.

If you are coming from Lago di Misurina, a well-maintained asphalt road of about 7.5 km leads up to the parking lot.

Important note
The toll road to Rifugio Auronzo is usually open from the end of May to October.

If you don’t want to pay the toll, you can park near Lake Antorno for free and from there walk up to Rifugio Auronzo, which takes about 1.5-2 hours.

Tre Cime Shuttle Bus

Shuttle bus 444 runs between Dobbiaco/Toblach and Rifugio Auronzo (Tre Cime) from May 31 to October 12, 2025. The journey takes about 1 hour, but buses may be delayed due to heavy traffic.

A one-way ticket costs 16 EUR for adults and 8 EUR for children (ages 6-14). Children under 6 travel for free. A round-trip costs 22 EUR for adults and 12 EUR for children. Dogs can also travel on the shuttle bus.

The Südtirol Guest Pass is not valid for bus line 444.

Insider Knowledge
We recommend that you book your ticket online to ensure you have a seat on the bus! Only unsold tickets (subject to availability) can be purchased at the Dobbiaco bus or train station.

*Below, you can see when the buses depart from the Dobbiaco/Toblach bus station.

• 07:35
• 08:05
• 08:35
• 11:05
• 12:05
• 14:35
• 15:35
• 16:45
• 17:15

*The bus schedule changes frequently, so you can check the latest schedule here.

The last return bus from Tre Cime/Rifugio Auronzo leaves at 18:23.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Parking

There is a large parking lot next to Rifugio Auronzo, which can accommodate up to 700 vehicles. However, it fills up quickly during the summer months, and there may be no empty parking spaces around 9 AM, so we recommend arriving early.

*Update: Only a limited number of vehicles are allowed on the road to Rifugio Auronzo. From summer 2025, online reservations will be required to access the parking lot.

When we visited Tre Cime, online parking reservations were not yet required, and using the toll road cost 30 EUR per car. Currently, the parking fee is 40 EUR for cars, 26 EUR for motorcycles, and 60 EUR for campervans and motorhomes. Access to the parking lot is allowed from the reserved time, and tickets are valid for 12 hours.

To access the Rifugio Auronzo parking lot, you must pass through a toll gate, where they will check if you have a valid parking reservation.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike: Step-by-Step Trail Guide

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll lead you through the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit trail, share our experiences, give you insider tips, and show you the best photo spots. This loop hike is a must for everyone planning a trip to the Dolomites, so let’s get started.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike Trailhead – Rifugio Auronzo

The starting and ending point of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike is the Rifugio Auronzo. The Auronzo Refuge is situated at an altitude of 2,333 meters.

The hike should start early in the morning, as parking spaces run out quickly in the high season. Although we know that getting up early while hiking in the Dolomites can be tiring, the beautiful views that only the morning light offers make up for all the effort.

The weather was still cool in the morning, so we recommend dressing in layers for the hike. However, remember that you can still get sunburned on a cloudy day, so use sunscreen during the midday hours.

It took us about 1.5 hours to drive from our accommodation to Rifugio Auronzo, so we recommend staying directly at the mountain hut or booking a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, which is only a 40-minute drive away.

Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo

From the Rifugio Auronzo, you can start the hike in either direction. However, we recommend going counterclockwise as the views are much better. You should follow trail No. 101 on the right side. The trail is wide and relatively straight, so this is the easiest part of the hike.

The distance from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo is about 1.7 km and can be completed in 30-40 minutes.

TIP
There are toilets at the mountain hut, so use them before you start your hike.

Recommended post → Best Hikes in the Dolomites

Rifugio Lavaredo to Forcella Lavaredo

After arriving at the Rifugio Lavaredo, we decided to take a short break and enjoy the view with a good coffee. The view from here was already stunning, and as we headed towards the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the landscape became more and more impressive.

There are two ways to reach Forcella Lavaredo from Rifugio Lavaredo, and the hike takes about 15-20 minutes.

Forcella Lavaredo to Dreizinnenhütte (Rifugio Antonio Locatelli)

From the Forcella Lavaredo, two trails lead to the Dreizinnenhütte/Rifugio Antonio Locatelli. The lower trail in the first picture is moderately easy and ideal for families and older people.

The upper trail is much steeper and was still covered in snow in many places at the time of our visit. Since we were higher up, we had a much better view and found a unique photo spot with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the background, as you can see in the second picture. If you’re not afraid of heights and like a challenge, we recommend you choose the upper trail.

The distance from Forcella Lavaredo to the Dreizinnenhütte is 1.8 km and takes about 30-40 minutes.

Rifugio Antonio Locatelli to Malga Langalm

Most hikers will take a break at Rifugio Antonio Locatelli. If you want to have lunch here or just enjoy the panoramic view, this is a great place to relax. After the break, continue your hike.

If you’re looking for the best photo spot on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike, which you’ve probably seen countless times on Instagram, then head to the cave (Grotta delle Tre Cime). Honestly, when we started the hike, we weren’t sure we would find this place, but we ended up getting there very easily. The easiest way to reach the cave is to hike from the mountain hut, past the small chapel, climb the steep hill, and enjoy the magical view.

Malga Langalm is about 3 km from the Dreizinnenhütte and can be reached in 50 minutes.

Malga Langalm to Rifugio Auronzo

As we reached the last section of our hike, we stopped here for a picnic. Malga Langalm and its surroundings offer fantastic photo opportunities.

Then we returned to the parking lot of Rifugio Auronzo, which was a 2.5 km hike that took 50 minutes. The hike was well-marked, and the trail was flat in most places. But there are steep climbs and descents in some parts of the path.

After we did the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike, we also hiked to the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint.

Where to Stay near the Tre Cime Hike

The best place to stay near Tre Cime di Lavaredo is Rifugio Auronzo, where the trailhead starts, or Misurina, which is the closest village. Cortina d’Ampezzo or Dobbiaco are also good choices and are only a 40-minute drive from the refuge. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Misurina

• Mid-Range: Hotel Sorapiss or Grand Hotel Misurina
• Budget: Hotel Lavaredo

Best hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo

• Luxury: Faloria Mountain Spa Resort
• Mid-Range: Radisson Residences Savoia Palace
• Budget: B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina

FAQ about the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike

Is Tre Cime di Lavaredo worth it?

Absolutely! Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a nature lover, or just want to hike in beautiful places and take the best Instagram photos, this tour is perfect for everyone.

How difficult is the Tre Cime hike?

This is an easy to moderate hike, but accessible to almost everyone.

TIP
Wear lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots and quick-drying, moisture-wicking clothing.

Which direction to hike to Tre Cime?

You can hike the circular trail in either direction, but we recommend hiking counterclockwise, as the views are much better.

How long is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike?

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop is about 10 km, and the hike takes about 3-4 hours, depending on how many breaks you take.

Don’t forget to get travel insurance! Hungariandreamers readers get a 5% discount on Heymondo.

When is the best time to visit Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

The best time to hike is from late June to mid-September, depending on snow and trail conditions.

July and August are usually the busiest months in the Dolomites. If you want to avoid the crowds and high prices, it’s worth visiting during the off-season. However, during the low season, most hiking trails are probably not accessible due to snow, mountain huts are closed, and public transport is limited.

The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Always pack warm clothes and a raincoat, and wear suitable hiking shoes.

What is the best time of day to hike Tre Cime?

We recommend arriving as early as possible (before 8 AM) during the summer months to avoid the crowds and the scorching sun. If you stay in one of the mountain huts, you can easily catch the sunrise at the iconic Three Peaks.

Tre Cime and Cadini di Misurina Hike

The Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo have the same starting point (Rifugio Auronzo), so both hikes are worth doing on the same day, especially if you have already paid the parking fee.

We arrived at the parking lot at 7 AM and decided to do the Tre Cime hike first and then hike up to the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint, also known as the Towers of Mordor. The views were fantastic, and we only met a few people on the trail.

You can reach the viewpoint in about 40-50 minutes from the mountain hut. The hike is not recommended for those afraid of heights, and it was challenging for Dittus, but she eventually reached the lookout point.

Important note
Visit the viewpoint at your own risk! If the weather is bad or the path is slippery, we recommend skipping this hike for your safety.

Read the full post → Cadini di Misurina Hike

What to Pack

• Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
• Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
• Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
• Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
• Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
• Camera gear
• Plenty of Water
• Snacks
• Hat and sunglasses
• Cash
• Hiking shoes or boots & socks
• Warm clothes
• Hiking poles (If you need it!)

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike Map

We hope you found our guide to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike useful and will inspire you to visit the Dolomites. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

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