A Complete Hiking Guide to Tre Cime Di Lavaredo

One-Day Tre Cime Hiking Itinerary For Those Without Cars

The journey from Toblach to Tre Cime Trailhead

Tre Cime is one of the best hikes you can do in the Dolomites and the trail leads to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a group of three distinctive peaks that rise up to over 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) above the surrounding landscape.

The day before, be sure to reserve a seat on the 7:43 AM shuttle bus or earlier so that you will have enough time at the hike to relax before you have to get on the bus back to Toblach.

Do not leave it to the last minute. The spots on the shuttle bus get booked out very fast. I wanted to get an earlier bus but I didn't do it when I saw it was available. Instead, I waited an hour to book and it was all booked out. Do not make that same mistake!

The shuttle service leaves from Toblach Train Station so be sure to be there on time. The roundtrip ticket should cost about 16 EUR and takes about 45 minutes before you arrive at Tre Cime trailhead.

A Side Trip to Cadini Di Missurina (Optional)

If you are there early enough, you can proceed to visit the viewpoint of Cadini Di Missurina first, which is a 30-minute hike one way from Rifugio Auronzo. It is a popular spot to photograph as the trail will take you along the ridge and to the stunning cliff where you will be able to get that epic photo set against the jagged peaks of Cadini Di Missurina.

This side trip will add around 2 hours to your already long day hike given you spend around an hour resting and taking photos, so be sure to start your hike as early as you can if you plan to add this to your Tre Cime hike.

The Hike from Rifugio Auronzo to Paternsattel

The trailhead of Tre Cime Hike begins at Rifugio Auronzo, a mountain hut located on the southern side of Tre Cime. This is where you can freshen up, go to the toilet (2 EUR), and prepare for the hike.

From Rifugio Auronzo, the trail is mostly flat and it skirted around the foothill of Tre Cime. It is a pretty relaxing walk with a nice cool stop at Cappella degli Alpini, a beautiful chapel set against the striking jagged peaks of the Dolomites.

From Cappella degli Alpini, the trail will start to climb as it goes towards Paternsattel, a mountain pass at an altitude of 2,257 meters (7,402 feet) with an incredible view over the iconic Three Peaks of Tre Cime.

It should take about an hour from Rifugio Auronzo before you reach Paternsattel. There are a ton of photo opportunities here and if you are there in the morning, the light would also be prime for it. Spend some minutes and relax at the ridge before you continue on.

Be sure to go up a little further and check out Targa Commemorativa Papa Giovanni Paolo II, a commemorative plaque erected in honor of Pope John Paul II, who visited the Dolomites in 1988 and celebrated Mass at the Rifugio Croda da Lago, located at the base of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks. It is also a good place to get away from the crowds that start to accumulate over the ridge.

The Hike from Paternsattel to Dreizinnenhütte

Once you are done resting at Paternsattel, you can continue along the trail towards Dreizinnenhütte, a mountain hut located at an altitude of 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) offering all kinds of amenities, including a restaurant, a bar, and even accommodation.

The hike in this section is pretty leveled most of the time but the view gets even better the more you move north. While you are hiking this section, be sure to look back at the three iconic peaks every once in a while.

I probably got the best photos of this hike, maybe of the entire Dolomites trip from this section as the light in the morning was perfect and you get to see the Three Peaks much more from this side than from Paternsattel.

From Paternsattel to Dreizinnenhütte, it should be another hour before you arrive at the mountain hut. This is a great place to have lunch if you have not packed anything as there is a restaurant offering hot meals to hikers if you don't mind paying a premium.

For those who have packed their own lunch, you don't really have to go all the way up to the mountain hut if you do not want to. The trail continues from below the hut so you can sit at the intersection, and enjoy a nice sandwich while you watch the beautiful Tre Cime di Lavaredo from afar.

The Hike from Dreizinnenhütte to Rienzquelle

Once you are done with your lunch you can then continue hiking down the basin-like valley, which is probably one of the toughest sections on this hike.

In this section, you will be hiking a steep trail all the way down to the bottom of the valley before you have to hike up to the same height that you just got down from to reach the ridge on the other side of Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

This section of the hike can take about 1 - 2 hours with a lot of steep climbs so be sure to prepare yourself. Once you complete this section, you will arrive at a nice little spring called Rienzquelle you can rest.

The water at Rienzquelle is crystal clear and it is set against the beautiful backdrop of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a perfect spot for some photos. There is also a variety of flora and fauna, including rare plants and animals if you are lucky.

The Hike from Rienzquelle back to Rifugio Auronzo

After you spend some time at Rienzquelle, you can then continue on towards Forcella del Col de Mezzo, another mountain pass on the western side of Tre Cime di Lavaredo that lies at an altitude of 2,230 meters (7,316 feet).

This is where the trail merges with other hiking trails in the area and the trail will hug along the mountainside until you arrive back at Rifugio Auronzo. This section of the hike can also be quite difficult as it consists of a lot of ups but also you are probably tired from the hike already so it can be a bit of a drag to hike this section.

This section should take about 45 minutes before you arrive back at Rifugio Auronzo to catch the shuttle bus back to Toblach. Be sure to wait for the bus at the Rifugio Auronzo bus stop just below the mountain hut and you will be back in town in no time.

When is the Best Time to Hike Tre Cime?

The best time to hike Tre Cime is from June - September when the weather is nice and warm perfect for hiking and the trail and the mountain huts remain open throughout the period.

If you are planning to travel around the Dolomites without your own car, it is important that you stick to this period as the high frequency of buses, trains, and shuttle services will help you get to places much easier without renting a car.

Despite the popularity of the hike, the Tre Cime hike is quite spread out and you will often find yourself alone among nature most of the time, even in the busiest of months which I think is great. That's why I like visiting hiking destinations, it doesn't attract as many people 😂.

All in all, if you want the highest chance of success and a great view of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, I highly recommend you stick to the recommended months.

How to Get to the Dolomites?

In order to get to Tre Cime, you will first have to get to the Dolomites, a mountainous region in the northern part of Italy. There are several ways you can get to the Dolomites but most will require you to switch modes of transportation in between from planes to buses to trains, etc.

From the US, you can fly directly to either Milan or Venice which should take about 9 - 11 hours. From there, you can catch a train to Bolzano which should take about 5 hours with one to two transits.

From Bolzano, you will then have to catch a train to Toblach which will often transit via Franzensfeste. The journey should take about 2 hours so in total after you arrive in Italy, you will have to travel another 7 hours to get to Toblach.

From Europe, you have quite a bit more options here. You can fly to Innsbruck from places like the UK via Wizz Air, and then catch a train or a bus to Bolzano in about 1.5 hours. Flixbus is highly recommended when it comes to bus travel in Europe.

Again, from Bolzano, you can catch a train to Toblach that transits via Franzensfeste, and it should take you about 2 hours to arrive at Toblach Train Station.

From Asia, there are also many direct flights to Milan and Venice operated by local carriers from cities like Bangkok or you can go with connecting flights which are often cheaper. There are many flights from Asia that connect via middle east countries like Emirates via Dubai or Etihad via Abu Dhabi. The journey should take approximately 10 hours. Once you arrive in Milan/Venice, you can catch a train to Bolzano and then another train to Toblach.

To find a cheap flight to Italy, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

How to Get from Toblach to Tre Cime?

Once you are in Toblach, to get to the Tre Cime trailhead, you are going to have to reserve a spot on the shuttle bus the day before. You can reserve a spot from here.

The shuttle service leaves from Toblach Train Station so be sure to be there on time. The journey should take about 45 minutes before you arrive at the Tre Cime trailhead. I took the 7:43 AM shuttle and I was there 8:34 AM.

Be sure to pick the earliest time slot so you will get the best light and be there before the crowds. The shuttle service to Tre Cime should cost around 16 EUR per person.

How Difficult is the Tre Cime Hike?

The Tre Cime hike is a moderate to challenging trail that takes about 4-6 hours to complete, depending on your pace and the route you choose. The route we will take is the easiest of all which is 8.5 KM long and takes about 4 - 5 hours to complete.

You have to be a bit in shape to do the hike since the trail consists of one steep down and another up section that goes all the way down to the valley and up again almost the same level at the ridge.

As long as you start early and pace yourself slowly, you should be able to complete the loop in 6 hours, the latest which should be enough time to catch the bus back to Toblach.

How Long Does it Take to Hike the Tre Cime Trail?

The Tre Cime Hike and the route we will be taking is around 8.5 km and it will take you approximately 4 - 6 hours, depending on your pace. I was able to do it in 4 hours without rest and a ton of photo stops.

Given you will be spending a bit of time taking a ton of photos, and having lunch, I'd say aim for around 5 hours and you should have enough time to enjoy yourself up there.

Combine that with the travel time of 1.5 hours, the entire trip from Toblach to Tre Cime and back will be around 6.5 hours in total, a one-day hiking trip with enough time in the evening to relax.

To get a head start, I highly recommend you get the 7:43 AM shuttle bus or earlier and start the hike by 8:35 AM before more people arrive. You should be able to finish the hike by 1:30 PM, in time for the afternoon bus back to Toblach and then you can spend the rest of the day chilling in town.

How Much Money Do I Need For Tre Cime Hike?

In total, I spent around 16 EUR for the entire hike excluding lunch and snacks. The cost all went to the shuttle service to get to the Tre Cime hiking trail which cost 16 EUR for a roundtrip ticket.

Fortunately, you do not have to pay to hike Tre Cime, so all you have to pay is just the public transportation to get to and back and that is it, hence the 16 EUR cost for the entire trip. That is a pretty good deal for such an epic hike in my opinion!

Is it Safe to Hike Tre Cime?

The trail is made of mostly gravel but there are well-marked and since there will be a lot of people along the trail, it is almost impossible to get lost here. Sneakers and trail running shoes are fine for the hike in the summer. Flip-flops are a big no-no.

Other than that, there's not much to worry about on the trail. Just stay on the hiking path and pace yourself slowly, and you should be able to complete the hike with no problem.

What to Pack for Tre Cime Hike?

• A Water bottle: At least 1.5 - 2 liters of water for the Tre Cime hike. Italy in the summer can be extremely unforgiving, even at high altitudes, so make sure you have enough water to stay hydrated throughout the entire trip. I always carry my super lightweight Hydro Flast Insulated Water Bottle on all my trips around Europe, and I highly recommend you get one, especially if you enjoy hiking.
• Good Sturdy Shoes: Since you will be hiking for about 4-5 hours on this trip, make sure you wear a pair of shoes that you are comfortable hiking in. Sneakers and trail running shoes are fine as long as you are comfortable hiking in them. I highly recommend you go with a proper hiking boot or shoes like Timberland White Ledge Mid Waterproof Ankle Boot (for women) for good ankle support or this Columbia Redmond V2 Waterproof Hiking Boot (for women) if you want something lighter and easier to move around in.
• Layers: The weather can change at any given moment in the mountains, so I highly recommend that you pack a few layers just in case. The Tre Cime hiking trail is located over 2,000 meters above sea level, and it can be cold up there even in the hottest months. Here are the jackets I recommend for the trip: a fleece jacket and the beautiful orange Columbia outer-shell jacket.
• Snack Bars: Since you will be spending all day hiking, I highly recommend you pack a few snack bars for the trip. They are delicious, nutritious, and cheap, and they are great for when you want to quickly replenish your energy while hiking. I highly recommend CLIF BARS.
• Lunch: There are mountain huts with restaurants along the Tre Cime trail where you can buy lunch, but it is extremely expensive. So, I highly recommend that you pack your own lunch as well.
• A Daypack: This is what you will use to carry all your essentials like water bottles, jackets, snack bars, etc. Any backpack with a capacity of around 25L, such as Herschel Supply's Little America bag, should be enough for most use cases. However, if you have a lot of camera gear like I do, Langly Alpha Globetrotter Backpack is my go-to camera bag for the hike.
• Power Bank: In case your phone or camera runs out of juice while you are hiking, it is always recommended to have a backup power bank, just in case you need it.

Check Out My Hiking Packing List

Which tourist SIM card is best for The Tre Cime Hike?

With an esim from Airalo, I was able to have access to the internet throughout the hike so I highly recommend you get one prior to your travel. It worked well around Italy with a constant 4G connection so if you are planning to stay longer in Italy, getting the Airalo esim is a no-brainer, given your phone supports esim of course.

If your phone doesn't support esim, you should be able to get a physical sim card at the airport in Milan or elsewhere in the country and you will be able to stay connected with your friends and families the entire time you are hiking the Dolomites.

Further Reading for the Dolomites, Italy

I hope you found this Italian travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Italy, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• First time visiting Italy? Here are the 15 Best Places to Visit in Italy.
• Want to see the highlights of Italy in 2 weeks? Be sure to check out our 2-week backpacking Italy itinerary.
• Want to travel around Italy for one month, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south? You're going to love this backpacking itinerary packed with information: One Month Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
• Want to explore the Dolomites but not sure where to begin? Check out: the 10 Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites.
• For a complete backpacking itinerary for the Dolomites, check out: the 7 Days Dolomites Itinerary For Those Without A Car.
• Bolzano is a great city to base yourself in while you explore the Dolomites. If you decide to stay in Bolzano, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Bolzano.
• Adolf-Munkel-Weg Hike is the best way to get up close and personal with the Dolomites. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to the Adolf-Munkel-Weg Trail.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Italy, visit the Italy Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.