How long does the Tre Cime loop take?
3 to 4 hours at a steady pace, plus stops. Most people take 5 to 6 hours with a lunch at Rifugio Locatelli and time for photos.
Iconic
Tre Cime Loop
Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop: the classic 10 km circuit around the three peaks in 4 hours, plus multi-day extensions to Rifugio Comici and Pian di Cengia.
Strecke
10 km
Tage
1–3
Aufstieg
1,100 m
Max. Höhe
2,454 m
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are the three towers most people picture when they hear 'Dolomites'. The classic loop circles them in roughly 10 km, starting and ending at Rifugio Auronzo on the toll road above Lago di Misurina.
It's the easiest big-name walk in the range — gentle ascent, well-graded trail, food and toilets at three rifugi along the way — which is also why it's busy. Start before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. for the views without the crowds, and consider extending into a 2- or 3-day loop via Rifugio Comici and Pian di Cengia for the quiet side.
Highlights
- North faces of the Tre Cime from Rifugio Locatelli — the classic photo
- Forcella Lavaredo and the Cima Piccola scramble approach
- Rifugio Locatelli (Drei Zinnen Hütte) for lunch
- WW1 trenches and tunnels around Monte Paterno
- Extension to Rifugio Pian di Cengia and the Sextner Stein
Etappen Tag für Tag
Tag 1 — Rifugio Auronzo → Rifugio Lavaredo → Rifugio Locatelli → Auronzo
3–4 h10 km420 m420 mCounter-clockwise gives you the north face view earlier and avoids walking into the sun.
Tag 2 — Rifugio Locatelli → Rifugio Pian di Cengia → Rifugio Comici
5–6 h9 km600 m700 mOptional extension day — wild side of the massif, WW1 tunnels, very few people.
Tag 3 — Rifugio Comici → Val Fiscalina trailhead
3–4 h8 km80 m950 mEasy descent into Val Fiscalina; bus back to Misurina or Cortina.
Hütten auf dieser Route
- Rifugio Auronzo
- Rifugio Lavaredo
- Rifugio Locatelli (Drei Zinnen Hütte)
- Rifugio Pian di Cengia
- Rifugio Comici
Logistik
- Anreise
- From Cortina d'Ampezzo, drive or bus to Lago di Misurina, then the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo (€30 per car in 2025, cash). The 444 bus runs from Cortina and Dobbiaco in summer.
- Abreise
- Single-day loop: same way. Multi-day: bus from Val Fiscalina / Sesto back to Dobbiaco or Cortina.
- Genehmigungen
- No hiking permit. The toll road to Auronzo is paid and can fill — arrive before 9 a.m. in July/August or take the bus.
- Buchung
- Rifugio Locatelli and Comici book up months ahead in summer. Auronzo and Lavaredo are easier as they sit on the road. Lavaredo half-board is the standard rate.
Saison & Schwierigkeit
- Beste Saison
- Mid-June to mid-October
- Schwierigkeit
- Moderate
- Start
- Rifugio Auronzo (toll road above Misurina)
- Ziel
- Rifugio Auronzo
Was du brauchst
- B-rated approach boots or sturdy trail runners
- Day pack — 20 L is plenty for the loop
- Waterproof jacket — storms roll in fast above 2,400 m
- 1.5 L water (refill at Locatelli or Lavaredo)
- Head-torch if you walk for sunset/sunrise
- Cash for the toll road and rifugi
FAQ
Is the Tre Cime loop hard?
No. It's a well-graded trail with about 400 m of ascent spread over 10 km. Anyone with normal hill-walking fitness can do it. The altitude (2,400 m) is the main consideration for unacclimatised walkers.
Do I need to book a rifugio for the day loop?
Not for the loop itself. Book only if you want to overnight at Locatelli, Comici or Pian di Cengia. Day lunches at Lavaredo and Locatelli are walk-in.
When does the toll road open?
Usually late May to mid-October, snow permitting. The €30 toll covers parking at Rifugio Auronzo. Pay in cash at the gate.
Can I do the loop with kids?
Yes — it's one of the most kid-friendly Dolomites walks. The full clockwise loop is 10 km; shorter out-and-back to Forcella Lavaredo (4 km return) is also great for the iconic view.