The Tre Cime tour starting from the Auronzo Refuge

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Tour of an iconic site in the Dolomites, the Tre Cime. A splendid view of the Dolomites and the Three Peaks. Access is subject to a fee.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 396 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 396 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,438 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,172 m
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Photos

Tre Cime
Cappella degli Alpini
The Dolomites from the car park

Description of the walk

Preliminary remark: there are several possible routes around the Three Peaks. As the landscape is devoid of vegetation, the paths are easy to see. The one I suggest takes you to the Locatelli Refuge and its view of small mountain lakes. Signs indicate the direction of the refuges, making it easy to find your way.
Park in the Auronzo Refuge car park. See Practical Information for access conditions (fee applies).

(S/E) Behind the Auronzo Refuge, take a very good road suitable for vehicles. Head towards the Lavaredo and Locatelli refuges. Continue to the Lavaredo Refuge.

(1) Continue, alternating between ascents and descents, to reach a crossroads below the Locatelli Refuge. Continue up the hill to the right to reach the refuge.

(2) Return to the previous crossroads, either by taking the same path or by taking the road, which is a slight detour but allows you to enjoy the view. At the crossroads, descend to the right and then start another climb to reach the Col de Forcelina at the crossroads of the Langalm refuge.

(3) Continue slightly uphill, walk along the lakes and arrive at Col di Mezzo.

(4) Turn left to easily reach the car park of the Auronzo Refuge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,321 m - Car park - Refuge Auronzo
  2. 1 : km 1.69 - alt. 2,344 m - Lavaredo Refuge
  3. 2 : km 4.33 - alt. 2,400 m - Refuge Locatelli
  4. 3 : km 6.97 - alt. 2,234 m - Langalm Refuge
  5. 4 : km 8.16 - alt. 2,303 m - Col di Mezzo
  6. S/E : km 9.3 - alt. 2,322 m - Car park - Refuge Auronzo

Notes

(S/E) There is a charge to access the site (in 2023: €30 per car and €45 per motorhome). The ticket is valid for 24 hours of parking. If you exceed 24 hours, you will have to pay again at the ticket office, so it is possible to spend the night on site in your vehicle without paying extra for motorhome and van parking, provided the ground is level. Please note that despite the price, there are no services on site, even the toilets cost £1 to use and are open at random times.
The number of spaces is limited, so unfortunately you will have to turn back at the toll booth if there are no more spaces available.
Bus routes serve the site. However, in this case, you will have to park a little further down, which is far from easy given how busy it is (even in the paid car parks!).
This price gives you an incredible view right from the car park, without any effort.
(3) Langalm refuge: drinking water available at this level.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
ptk
ptk

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent landscapes and views, with changing angles on the Tre Cime as you walk around them.
Crowded (mixed feelings about being part of a procession).
You need to book parking online a few days in advance (€40).
Decent meals at the Locatelli refuge (cash payment only). Don't miss the bird's-eye view of the lakes just behind the refuge. Consider turning back from there, as the 2- to 3-hour descent and ascent are very physically demanding.
There are many breathtaking views, if you can ignore the crowds..

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virgule
virgule

This hike is like the Mona Lisa: beautiful without being exceptional, but everyone wants to see it because it's famous. You could also call it the Instagram syndrome.

I see. A hike that has become a tourist attraction.

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User 3907947

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The 7.2 km circuit is not the best. It takes you too close to the Très Cime to get a good view. Opt for the 9.2 km circuit, which is very easy and offers a better panoramic view of this wonderful site.

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coolmax57
coolmax57

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Everything is fine until you reach the Locatelli refuge; the hike is indeed of moderate difficulty.
From here, if you want to stick to a "moderate" level of difficulty, it's best to either turn back or continue the loop but stay on the main trail. The long descent along the small path indicated on the trail map has some sections along the mountainside on very loose ground, which are more suitable for experienced hikers.
We started the trail at 5:45 p.m. There were very few people even in August, but it is important not to linger or you risk ending up in the dark. I recommend starting an hour earlier at this time of year.

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User 8711014

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

This hike is like the Mona Lisa: beautiful without being exceptional, but everyone wants to see it. You could also call it the Instagram syndrome.
Honestly, paying £35 in tolls to do this hike isn't worth it. There isn't really a trail, it's more of a path where you might encounter vehicles serving the various refuges.
You can find other hikes on Visorando that are much less crowded and much more enjoyable.

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virgule
virgule

Hello,

I must admit that I wonder about the public's attraction to overcrowded places. This is true for tourism (Mont St Michel, Gordes, Barcelona, Eguisheim, Etretat, Hallstat, Christmas markets. And it's also true for hiking: the Hérisson waterfalls, the Himalayan footbridges, the Calanques of Marseille, the Camino de Santiago, the GR20, and South Tyrol. Certain places in the Vosges are also following suit...

Thanks to Visorando for publishing visitor numbers for the routes, which allows us to go walking where it's quiet.

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Jo_Luke
Jo_Luke

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Far too crowded!

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lvka
lvka

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did this hike in early September. There were quite a few people during the first hour of walking (we set off at 2pm), but once we passed point 1, there were far fewer people on the trail.

Point 2 at the Locatelli refuge offers a superb view of the Tre Cime di Lavedero and is a great spot for taking photos, even on a cloudy day. The hike offers superb views at every stage and is the most beautiful route we have done during our hikes in the Dolomites.

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virgule
virgule
ceromphi
ceromphi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This is undoubtedly the most popular hike in the Dolomites. By early June, it's already crowded... Nevertheless, this easy hike remains superb. It's best to get up early to avoid waiting at the toll booth before the large car park. Don't hesitate to climb up to the Locatelli refuge. Enjoy your hike.

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