The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (also called the Drei Zinnen) are perhaps the most famous peaks in the Dolomites UNESCO world heritage region in northern Italy. Alongside Lake Braies, they are one of the most popular sites to visit in the area. Back in May this year we finally got to experience hiking the Tre Cime.
Hiking The Tre Cime In The Dolomites
If you’ve read other posts about hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, you might be surprised how accessible these rugged peaks are to access.
In the season in summer, from June to October you can drive right up to Rifugio Auronzo which sits right at the base of the towers. This 7km long toll road from Misurina is the easiest way to reach the base of the towers, and from here it’s an easy hike in summer to walk all the way around the base.
Of course for the adventure lovers reading this, driving right up to the base might feel rather like cheating. There are also a number of hiking routes leading up to these magnificent towers, starting from different points in the valley. During our visit at the beginning of May, we chose to hike from Misurina up to the Tre Cime, taking the hiking route that leads to Rifugio Auronzo. In May there was still a lot of snow on the trails, which make what should have been a fairly easy hike slightly more challenging.
From June to October the mountain refuges up at the Tre Cime are open. The most famous is the Rifugio Locatelli which looks across towards the peaks. There’s also Rifugio Auronzo and Rifugio Lavaredo. Staying at a mountain hut is great if you’re doing a multi-day hike, or even if you just want to experience sunrise and sunset in the mountains without having to hike in the dark. The huts are basic and consist mostly of bunk rooms, but for me that’s all part of the experience.
If you’re looking for a longer, and more challenging hike to to the Tre Cime, the route from the Val Fiscalina in Sesto is one of the most beautiful. And for anyone who has a good head for heights, there’s also some awesome via ferrata around the Tre Cime.
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