Region: Cortina d’Ampezzo — Ampezzo Valley, Dolomites, Italy
Places To Stay: Stay central in Cortina d’Ampezzo for buses, shops and easy starts. If you prefer something quieter Corvara, Canazei and Selva di Val Gardena work well too. Looking for more Dolomites trails? Head to my ‘Dolomites Hiking Guides‘ page to see all regions and routes.
This is a brilliant circular walk that shows off everything that makes Cinque Torri such a memorable place: dramatic limestone towers, easy-going alpine paths, welcoming rifugios and a fascinating insight into the area’s First World War history.
Starting from Bai de Dones, the route climbs steadily through the forest before emerging beneath the towers. It then passes Rifugio Cinque Torri and Rifugio Scoiattoli, explores the trenches and restored positions of the open-air museum, and returns to Bai de Dones along quieter paths.
It is not a particularly long or difficult day, but it packs a lot into a relatively short distance. There are huge mountain views, two excellent places to stop, plenty of time to explore the towers and a historical side to the walk that gives the landscape far more meaning.
Below are a few ideas for day tours and transfers around Cortina d’Ampezzo, with GetYourGuide offering great discounts and easy booking + a huge amount of options in the Dolomites area, see more here.
For a wider choice of accommodation in the Dolomites, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.
Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map
- Start/Finish: Bai de Dones (SR48 Falzarego road) car park/bus stop.
- Transport: Seasonal buses from Cortina towards Passo Falzarego stop at Bai de Dones (5 Torri chairlift available). Parking available but can fill up in peak season.
- GPX: Download the GPX file here.
- Follow this route on my Outdooractive or Komoot profiles.
- Avoid the early start – find accommodation in Cortina
Travel Data: I use eSIMs to stay connected — quick setup and no roaming faff. Sim Local has been solid in Italy/Europe with good prices and coverage.
Hike Profile
- Distance: ~7 km (loop variations + museum detours).
- Duration: 3–4 hours (allow longer with stops at rifugi + museum)
- Ascent/Descent: ~350 m
- Highest Point: Near Rifugio Scoiattoli (~2,255 m)
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
- Terrain: Forest tracks, wide gravel paths, rocky alpine trails, historic trench paths
- Best for: Views, WW1 history, relaxed alpine walking, first-time Dolomites visitors
Route Overview (Clockwise from Bai de Dones)
| Section | From → To | Path | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bai de Dones → Rifugio Cinque Torri | Forest path / wide trail | ~2 km | Steady uphill through woodland with early views opening up |
| 2 | Rifugio Cinque Torri → Rifugio Scoiattoli | Open alpine path | ~1 km | Short, scenic section beneath the towers |
| 3 | Rifugio Scoiattoli → Cinque Torri Open-Air Museum | Museum paths | ~1 km | Trenches, tunnels and WW1 sites |
| 4 | Museum → Lower slopes | T2 | ~1.5 km | Quieter descent with wide views |
| 5 | Lower slopes → Bai de Dones | T1 | ~1 km | Easy return back to the start |
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Hike Description
The walk starts at Bai de Dones, just off the road towards Passo Falzarego. It is a relaxed place to begin, with parking, the chairlift station and Baita Bai de Dones nearby for food or a drink before or after the walk.
Rather than taking the chairlift, the route begins on foot, following the signs uphill through the trees. The climb is steady and comfortable, and it does not take long to settle into a rhythm.
For much of the opening section, the bigger views are kept hidden from you by the mountains. But every so often the trees thin enough to reveal a glimpse of pale rock above, giving the first exciting hint of what is coming higher up.
As you gain height, the landscape begins to open and the Cinque Torri suddenly appears ahead, it;s an incredible sight, straight out of a movie, and really does take your breath away. The dramatic group of limestone towers rise up sharply above the meadows and looks just as impressive in person as it does in photographs.
The path reaches Rifugio Cinque Torri, which makes a natural first stopping point. There are benches outside and a front-row view of the rocks, so even without stopping for food, it is worth pausing for a few minutes and taking everything in.
From Rifugio Cinque Torri, the route continues gently uphill towards Rifugio Scoiattoli. This sits at a slightly higher and so provides one of the best viewpoints on the entire walk.
We stopped here for a coffee and some cake and literally sat looking across at the towers. There is no need to rush, the terrace faces directly towards Cinque Torri, with wider views opening across the surrounding Dolomites.
The First World War open-air museum is only a short walk from the rifugio, so that was our next stop.
The museum follows a network of paths through restored Italian trenches, shelters, observation posts and defensive positions built among the rocks. Information boards explain how soldiers lived and operated here during the fighting in the Dolomites, often through bitter winters and at altitudes above 2,000 metres.
Walking through the site today, surrounded by peaceful meadows and mountain views, it is difficult to imagine the conditions experienced by the soldiers stationed here. The museum adds a completely different dimension to the walk and makes Cinque Torri feel like much more than simply another impressive rock formation.
After taking time to explore the museum, the route then starts to make its way down, it’s much quieter now as many visitors arrive and leave using the chairlift, so once you move away from the main rifugios and museum paths, the crowds begin to thin.
The trail descends steadily, with occasional views back towards the towers and across the Cortina basin. It is a lovely part of the walk, particularly later in the day when the landscape becomes calmer and the busiest paths above have emptied.
Lower down, the route re-enters the trees and follows the forest paths back towards Bai de Dones. The final stretch is straightforward and brings you out close to where the walk began.
For a relatively short circuit, this route delivers a huge amount. There is the steady forest climb, the first dramatic view of Cinque Torri, two excellent rifugios, the open-air museum and a much quieter descent back to the valley.
It is one of the most varied walks we completed in the Dolomites and an ideal route for anyone who wants impressive scenery without committing to a long or technically difficult mountain day.
Walk this route yourself in 3D!
The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the mountain.
I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.
Places to Stay in the Dolomites – My Picks
I’ve put together a few guides to make choosing a hotel in the Dolomites easier. If you’re after a romantic break, I’ve found some cosy hideaways. If it’s hiking that’s front and centre, I’ve rounded up the best hotels with trails right from the door. There are also ski-in ski-out favourites, family-friendly bases, and hotels with those wow-factor mountain views or even hot tubs to sink into after a long day.
- Most Romantic Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Hotels for Hiking in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Ski-In Ski-Out Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Family Friendly Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Hotels with Mountain Views in the Dolomites ⇢
- Best Hotels with Hot Tubs in the Dolomites ⇢
Places to Stay in Cortina
For a wider choice of accommodation in the Dolomites, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.
Recommended Stays
Right in the centre of the famous ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the 4-star Hotel De La Poste is set in an early 19th-century building. It features 2 restaurants and free WiFi throughout.
Parc Hotel Victoria is a great hotel to relax in Cortina, the staff are ready to help at all times and are very friendly. It is located very close to the promenade, shops and restaurants in Cortina, and simple access to the buses.
Practicalities
- Parking: Free parking is available at Bai de Dones, although it can fill quickly during the peak summer months. Arriving early usually provides the best choice of spaces.
- Chairlift option: If you prefer a much shorter walk, the Cinque Torri chairlift operates during the summer and takes visitors close to Rifugio Scoiattoli, avoiding most of the climb from Bai de Dones.
- Start early: Although this isn’t a particularly long walk, it becomes extremely popular during the middle of the day. Setting off early provides quieter trails and a more peaceful experience around the towers.
- Difficulty: The climb from Bai de Dones is steady rather than steep and is suitable for most walkers with a reasonable level of fitness.
- Footwear: Good walking shoes or hiking boots are recommended, particularly after wet weather when some paths can become slippery.
- Navigation: The paths are well signposted and easy to follow, but downloading the GPX route before setting off is still recommended.
- Food and drink: Rifugio Cinque Torri and Rifugio Scoiattoli both serve excellent food, drinks and cakes, making this one of the best walks in the Dolomites for combining hiking with mountain hut stops.
- History: Allow extra time to explore the Cinque Torri Open-Air Museum. The restored trenches and artillery positions add a fascinating historical dimension to the walk and are well worth exploring.
- Weather: Conditions can change quickly even on shorter walks in the Dolomites. Carry a waterproof jacket and an extra warm layer.
- Facilities: Toilets and refreshments are normally available at the mountain huts during their operating season.
- Best season: Late June until September generally offers the best conditions, with all facilities and the chairlift normally operating.
Cinque Torri Circular FAQs
How long is the Cinque Torri walk?
Is Cinque Torri suitable for beginners?
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Is Cinque Torri good for kids?
What is the open-air museum?
Are dogs allowed?
Is the route well marked?
Can I combine this with other walks?
Is it busy in summer?
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