Tre Cime Loop Trail + Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint - Top Hike in Dolomites

The Tre Cime loop hike is one of the absolute must-dos in the Dolomites. It’s usually rated as moderately challenging, but honestly, it’s a pretty manageable trail for most people. The path is well-marked and maintained, with tons of amazing viewpoints along the way, like the caves where you can get an incredible view of the iconic Tre Cime (Three Peaks). The incline is steady, so you won’t find yourself struggling too much at any point.

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Basic Informations about Tre Cime Loop Hike

🥾 Difficulty: Moderate

⛰️ Total Distance: 10 KM (circuit)

📈 Incline: 500M

⏱️ Total Duration: 3-5 hours

Trailhead and Parking: Rifugio Auronzo

Hiking Base: Cortina d'Ampezzo

Why to choose Tre Cime Loop Hike?

+ Perfect option for a day hike,

+ Unique views during entire hike,

+Picturesque Location

-Small parking quickly gets filled up

-Paid Tool Road

-Road open only from 8am in summer season

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How to get to Rifugio Auronzo and Tre Cime Trailhead

The road to the Auronzo Hut is typically open from late May to late October, depending on snow and weather conditions. Currently, the road is open. Please note that parking at the Auronzo Hut cannot be reserved online. If all parking spaces are full, the road may be closed to private vehicles.

Tre Cime 2024 Toll Road/Parking Fees (website):

Car: €30

Motorcycle: €20

Campers & Vehicles Over 2.10 m: €45

Bus (up to 30 people): €60

Bus (over 30 people): €120

Parking tickets are valid for 12 hours from the time of issuance. If your stay exceeds this duration, an additional ticket will be required.

Shuttle Bus to Tre Cime:

From June 1 to October 13, 2024, a shuttle bus offers an eco-friendly alternative for reaching the Auronzo Hut. The shuttle departs from Toblach bus station and can be accessed with specific tickets or the Südtirol Pass. An online reservation with prepayment is mandatory for the shuttle during this period. Any remaining tickets can be purchased at the Toblach bus and train station.

What's the best time to make Tre Cime Loop Hike

To avoid snow and unfavourable weather, the best time to hike the Tre Cime Loop is between June and October. However, the summer months are the peak season, attracting many visitors to Tre Cime, which results in limited parking availability.

When we visited Tre Cime in September, we arrived at the toll road about 30 minutes before it opened to be among the first cars in the morning. Despite this, around 20% of the parking spaces were already occupied by vehicles that had stayed overnight. By the afternoon, the parking lot was completely full, and the road was closed to incoming cars. However, by evening, many parking spaces near the Auronzo Hut had become available again.

Tre Cime Loop Trail Hike

Since the trail is a loop, you can begin the hike in either direction. We chose to start counterclockwise, which allowed us to reach the Three Peaks and other viewpoints more quickly, capturing them in the morning light. The trail begins with a short but steep incline, bringing you right up to the base of the peaks. From there, it descends toward the next mountain hut, Rifugio Lavaredo.

We found this section of the trail to offer the most stunning views of the Tre Cime peaks, which align in a breathtaking composition. We were thrilled with our decision to take this route, as it provided some of the most impressive scenery along the hike.

It takes about 30-45 minutes to reach Rifugio Lavaredo, so you may not feel the need for a break just yet. However, be sure to glance back occasionally, as the views behind you are truly spectacular. From Rifugio Lavaredo, the next hut is about an hour away. As you approach it, the trail, which is initially flat, will begin to ascend.

Remember to carry some cash, as many mountain huts in the Dolomites, including this one, may not accept cashless payments due to weak reception.

Drei Zinnen Hütte is set in a particularly scenic spot, offering panoramic views of the entire area. If you look up at the nearby peaks, you'll notice caves that were once used by soldiers during the war. These caves are easy to access and provide a unique perspective on Tre Cime and the surrounding landscape. There are several caves with different-shaped entrances that can beautifully frame the Three Peaks in your photos.

From Drei Zinnen Hütte, the trail descends into a flat section where the Three Peaks gradually come into closer view, and the striking Cadini di Misurina range starts to emerge from behind Tre Cime. After about an hour, you'll reach another mountain hut, Langalm, where you can take a break and enjoy a strong Italian coffee.

After passing Langalm, the trail begins to ascend, bringing you to the opposite side of the Three Peaks. Here, you'll have Tre Cime on your left and an open view of the Cadini di Misurina on your right. The trail then leads you back to where you started, at Auronzo Hut.

How to get to Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint

If you want to visit the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, be aware that it’s not directly on the Tre Cime Loop Trail. To reach it, you’ll need to return to the parking lot near Rifugio Auronzo, where you likely parked. From there, follow trail 117 in the direction of Rifugio Col De Varda, which heads in the opposite direction of the Loop Trail.

As soon as you begin, you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking peaks ahead of you, and you should reach the viewpoint in under an hour. The trail is straightforward and well-marked, so there's no risk of missing the viewpoint. The hike is entirely uphill, but the path is well-maintained.

If you’re up for more, you can continue your hike to Rifugio Col De Varda. However, keep in mind that beyond the viewpoint, the trail becomes more exposed, which may be uncomfortable for those with a fear of heights.