These iconic peaks are *the* symbol of the Dolomites, decorating every brochure and website promoting this area. They are known as Three Peaks, Dreizinnen, or Tre Cime di Laveredo. We did the 9.5 km loop around the peaks, absolutely recommended. It’s rated “easy” and is mostly flat, but it does have a couple steeper sections that take a bit of work. We saw all kinds of people on this trail, including lots of little kids. Despite the inevitable summer crowds at this popular site, we loved this hike for the amazing views. Don’t miss it!
See more of our Dolomite family hikes here.
| Location: | Auronzo di Cadore, Dolomites, northern Italy |
| Car: | Toll road CHF 30 to Rifugio Auronzo parking: 46°36’44.2″N 12°17’39.6″E, more details below. |
| Train: | Bus #31from Misurina Genzianella to Tre Cime Rifugio Auronzo |
| Trail: | 9.5 km loop, about 4 hrs with kids |
| Elevation: | highest point 2400m, total climb/descent 400m |
| Condition: | rocky dirt path, not suitable for strollers |
| Skill: | moderate |
| Open: | best June to September |
| Cost: | no cost to hike, just parking or bus fees |
| More info: | auronzomisurina.it – webcams |
Location
Tre Cime di Lavaredo is located in the eastern part of Dolomites, about a 30 mins drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Here is a summer map of the Dreizinnen region. See a larger version here.
Trail Overview
This trail is a 9.5 loop around the peaks, a very popular route for both casual and serious hikers. You can drive or take a bus directly to the trail head at the Auronzo hut. We hiked counter-clockwise but either direction would be nice. There are four huts along the route, each with cafes for refreshments so you don’t have to carry much gear, just cash.
The path is mostly wide, dirt with loose rock. Some parts are quite steep without switchbacks, which can make the footing tricky. The hardest part of the hike is between the Dreizinnen hut the Lange Alm hut (on the west side of the loop), which goes straight down and straight back up.
Getting There
This hike starts at the Rifugio Auronzo mountain hut just below the famous peaks. You can drive to the trail head on a toll road that costs EUR 30/car (in 2018), which includes your parking fee in the lots at the top. However in busy season, these lots fill up quickly and they may close the toll road when the parking at the top is full.
Bus: If the toll road is closed to cars, you can ride the public Bus #31 for about EUR 8/person round trip. The bus runs about every 30 mins starting around 8:00 (check schedule before heading out). Last bus back is 18:18, don’t miss it! We saw people who missed it hitchhiking down the mountain, so sad. The bus ride is about 25 mins. The bus can be very crowded with standing room only.
Our experience at the toll road: When we arrived at the toll road, we waited in a long line of cars for 30 mins only to find out the toll road was closed. So we quickly pulled out of line and took one of the last parking spots, expensive at EUR 14 for the day (coins only). We purchased round trip tickets for the public bus and waited with about 50 other people for a bus that was very late. Then suddenly they were letting cars on the toll road again. We sold back our tickets (lucky, they wouldn’t let the next group sell back theirs), sold our parking ticket to another car and drove up the mountain.
More info about accessing this area here http://auronzomisurina.it/
Trail Schedule
We were on the trail about 5 hours, walking slow, taking lots of breaks, stopping at the hut for snacks, having a picnic along the way. If we walked straight through, it would probably take us about 3.5 hrs.
Start at Rifugio Auronzo
+ 2 km to Rifugio Lavaredo
+ 500 m to saddle viewpoint
+ 2 km to Drei-Zinnen-Hütte
+ 3 km to Lange Alm
+ 1.2 km to gate viewpoint
+ 800 m to starting point
Trail part 1: Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo
Here we are looking back at Rifugio Auronzo after a few minutes on the trail.
The trail starts like this, wide relatively smooth dirt path. You could bump an all-terrain stroller along this pretty easily.
Walking right under the peaks.
The view this direction is also fantastic.
This side of the peaks has some green areas, not like the other side.
Lots of people on the trail.
Arriving at the Lavaredo hut at 2344m, about 2km from the first hut. This is the easiest part of the trail.
Trail part 2: Hike up to saddle viewpoint
From the Lavaredo hut, you can either take the dirt road shown below or a steeper pitched rocky trail. Both lead to the saddle.
We chose the rocky switchbacks.
The trails join at this saddle, which has a great view in all directions.
Very interesting mountains on this other side.
You are closest to the peaks at this point and walk up close if you like.
Trail part 3: Hike to Drei-Zinnen Hut
Now follow signs to Drei-Zinnen-Hütte, shown in the distance below.
The trail down gets a little steep with loose rocks, so watch your footing here.
Right before you climb up to the hut, the trail forks and you’ll see this sign. Follow the trail 10 mins up to the Drei-Zinnen-Hütte. After visiting the hut, retrace your steps back to this sign and then follow signs to Lange Alm.
Almost to the hut, just a short climb up. It was about 4.5 km into the hike.
View from the outdoor seating at the hut cafe. There is a self-service counter and a table service restaurant. You can see the trail we took to get here from the saddle in the middle skirting under the peaks on the left.
Lots of room to explore near the hut.
Looking north from the Drei-Zinnen-Hütte down to some lakes. More trails leading away from here. To continue the loop, simply walk back the way you came.
Everyone is taking this picture, probably your best view of the Three Peaks.
Trail part 4: Hike to Lange Alm
As I mentioned above, from the hut walk back down to the loop trail and continue following signs for trail 105 to Lange Alm. There are a couple offshoot trails, stay to your left, on trail 105.
Then it gets narrower and steeper, going down some switchbacks, then straight back up without them.
More steep and lots of lumpy. Lots of the steep parts didn’t have switchbacks and the rock was loose. So it made it hard to climb. Walking sticks were very helpful.
Arriving at Lange Alm, about 7.5 km into the hike. There’s a cafe at the hut.
Looking back from Lange Alm to Drei-Zinnen-Hütte.
One last pretty view before turning the corner.
Trail part 5: Last bit
Now follow signs to Rifugio Auronzo.
The trail winds along this scree hill.
Turning the corner with those spiky peaks we saw in the beginning back in view.
What a great hike!
Last look from our car before heading home.
On our way home, we drove through Misurina, a small village used a base for hiking in this area.
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4 Responses
Hi! We have a 5 month old baby and are experienced hikers. Do you think it’d be suitable to have him in the front carrier? (Would you estimate this hike to be a T3 in Switzerland?)
This hike is not particularly difficult and would be fine with a baby carrier. I would rate it T2 or less. My 70yr old dad did it and he’s not much of a hiker.
Thank you for your post. I am planning a trip to the Dolomites in mid-October, and noticed that most cable cars will not longer be operating. For the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike, do we need to get a cable car up? Thanks!
You don’t need a cable car for Tre Cime – just drive your car up to the top. But be careful in mid October. You could find snow on the trail.