Region: Tre Cime di Lavaredo, San Candido / Sesto — Sexten Dolomites, Italy
Places To Stay: To hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, you can stay in Dobbiaco, San Candido, Sesto or slightly further away you have Cortina d’Ampezzo. There are also plenty of rural villages where you can stay and various types of hotels, B&B’s or hostels in the Veneto region. Looking for more Dolomites trails? Head to my ‘Dolomites Hiking Guides‘ page to see hiking routes in the different regions and.
Below are a few ideas for day tours and transfers around San Candido, with GetYourGuide offering great discounts and easy booking + a huge amount of options in the Dolomites area.
For a wider choice of accommodation in the Dolomites, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.
This is the classic Tre Cime di Lavaredo walk, the one most people picture when they think of the Dolomites. By driving (or bussing) up to Rifugio Auronzo, you start high and keep the walk to a very manageable loop while still getting huge views almost the entire way. The route circles the Three Peaks on wide, well-made trails, passes some of the best rifugi in the area, and never really feels remote or technical. It does get very busy, and once you’re there ready to start you’ll see why.
Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map
Start/Finish: Rifugio Auronzo car park (Tre Cime toll road)
- By car: Drive up the Tre Cime toll road from Lago d’Antorno (fee payable, card/cash accepted). Parking is right at Rifugio Auronzo.
- By bus: Seasonal buses run from Misurina / Lago d’Antorno up to Rifugio Auronzo, useful if you don’t want to drive.
- Download the GPX file here.
- Follow this route on my Outdooractive profile.
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: ~11m / 17km
- Duration: 7-8 hours (lots of sightseeing)
- Ascent/Descent: ~8041ft / 2450m
- Highest Point: Near Rifugio Scoiattoli (~2,255 m)
- Difficulty: Moderately difficult (steep short climbs), sometimes loose terrain through the woods, but season depending as snow can be thick in Spring.
- Terrain: Well-worn pathways most of the way around, good walking shoes are a must.
Route Overview (Clockwise from Rifugio Auronzo)
| Section | From → To | Path | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rifugio Auronzo → Forcella dei Campanili | T2 | Easy, gently rising path with instant views |
| 2 | Forcella dei Campanili → Rifugio Locatelli | T2 | Classic Tre Cime scenery, busy but stunning |
| 3 | Rifugio Locatelli → Rifugio Lavaredo | T1 | Flatter, relaxed section beneath the peaks |
| 4 | Rifugio Lavaredo → Rifugio Auronzo | T1 | Final stretch back to the car park |
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Hike Description
Starting at Rifugio Auronzo, I wouldn’t be suprised if what you see straight away is a bit overwhelming, the views all around are incredible and hopefully you’re not in a rush as there is a lot to take in. Within minutes, the north faces of the Tre Cime dominate the skyline, and the path pulls gently away from the car park on Route T2. It’s wide, easy underfoot, and lets you settle into the walk at your own pace.
As you move past Forcella dei Campanili, the views really open out. This side of the loop feels expansive, with long sightlines across the Sexten Dolomites and the Three Peaks constantly changing shape as you walk past. It’s busy here, especially mid-morning, as people stop for their first or second coffee break, but on the paths there aren’t any issues, it’s wide enough that it never feels stressful.
Reaching Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte) feels like a great achievement. Most people stop here, whether it’s for lunch, a coffee, or just to sit and stare at the peaks from one of the best viewpoints in the Dolomites. There’s also WW1 history dotted around the area if you fancy a wander, and also the famous caves to get the Instagram pic, but hopefully there isn’t to much of a que.
From Locatelli, you pick up Route T1, which feels a lot calmer, just remember that you can do the loop in any direction, so you will have people following you and coming towards you. The path runs beneath the southern faces of the peaks, and before you know it Rifugio Lavaredo will appear offering one last stop before the final leg. From here it’s a straightforward return to Rifugio Auronzo, with the car park appearing just as your legs start to feel it.
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.
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Practicalities
- Start early: This is one of the busiest walks in the Dolomites — early starts make a huge difference.
- Cash: Rifugi still prefer cash for food, drinks, and toilets.
- Food & water: Plenty of huts, but still carry water on warm days.
- Weather: Conditions can change fast — bring a waterproof even if it’s blue skies.
- Footwear: Trail shoes are fine in dry conditions; boots help after rain.
- Best season: Late June to late September (snow dependent).
Tre Cime di Lavaredo FAQs
How long is the Tre Cime circular walk?
Is this the classic Tre Cime route?
Do I need to pay to access the trail?
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Is the walk suitable for beginners?
Is it suitable for kids?
Are dogs allowed?
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Can I walk it anti-clockwise?
Is it worth it despite the crowds?
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.
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