Tre Cime di Lavaredo trek: three days hut to hut around the Three Peaks

Which route should you choose?

The Tre Cime stand in the Sesto Dolomites, inside the Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime Nature Park on the South Tyrol side. Cima Grande (2,999 m), Cima Ovest (2,973 m) and Cima Piccola (2,857 m) are not on the walking route; the paths circle their base. The front line of 1915 to 1917 between Italy and Austria-Hungary ran through these peaks, and trenches, tunnels and plaques remain.

There are two ways in. From the south, a toll road climbs from Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo, where most people start the classic day loop. From the north, Val Fiscalina above Sesto has no toll and leads to the huts on foot. Crowds are the main issue: PlanetMountain reported 7,000–8,000 visitors a day at the August peak in 2025, which led to the booking system for the road.

3-day Hut to hut from Val Fiscalina, three days and two nights itinerary at a glance

The itinerary below is the three-day, two-night route that the booking platforms sell. Day 1 leaves the Val Fiscalina car park on path 102, passes Rifugio Fondovalle and climbs path 103 up Val Sassovecchio to Rifugio Comici: about 6 km and 710 m of ascent, a little over three hours. Day 2 follows path 101 to Rifugio Pian di Cengia and the saddle beside it, then contours behind Monte Paterno to Rifugio Locatelli: about 5 km, three hours. Day 3 descends path 102 down Val Sasso Vecchio, below the north wall of Croda dei Toni, back to the car park: about 7 km and 930 m of descent.

Times differ between the listings and the signposts, so allow a margin. Day 2 is short enough to add the full loop round the Tre Cime from Locatelli, at least six hours in all. To spread it out, take a fourth day: walk from Locatelli to Rifugio Auronzo or Lavaredo for a third night, then cross Forcella Lavaredo back to Locatelli and descend to Val Fiscalina.

The Monte Paterno WWI tunnels start near Locatelli. They are optional and not on the trek line. The tunnel is long, steep and low, so a headlamp is essential. Going beyond it, to the summit or Forcella del Camoscio, means a via ferrata: harness, ferrata set, helmet and experience, or a guide.

1. Day 1 Val Fiscalina (Fischleinboden) car park Rifugio Zsigmondy-Comici night at 2,224 m
2. Day 2 Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte) via Rifugio Pian di Cengia and Forcella Pian di Cengia 2,528 mnight at 2,405 m
3. Day 3 Val Fiscalina (Fischleinboden) car park night at 1,454 m

Sources give Rifugio Locatelli as 2,405 m or 2,438 m; we use 2,405 m, the figure of dolomiti.it and suedtirolerland.it. The high point is Rifugio Pian di Cengia, 2,528 m according to the South Tyrol tourism board and dolomiti.it; a hiking blog gives 2,522 m for the saddle beside it. Distances and times are the listing's figures and differ between sources: treat them as a guide.

What it really costs

No trekking permit is needed. The main costs are the huts, getting to the valley, and the bus or toll road if you start from Auronzo. Here is what to plan around.

Fees and estimates checked on 6 November 2026.

Insurance that covers Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Take a travel policy that covers hiking and helicopter rescue in Italy, and via ferrata if you plan the Monte Paterno tunnels or ferrata. Rescue can be billed to you: the Veneto side can charge up to €90 a minute for a helicopter, capped at €7,500, when a call is not justified, and South Tyrol charges a fee. Most travellers from outside Europe have no European health card (EHIC).

Alpine-club membership includes rescue cover in some clubs, but AVS covers only residents of Europe or the Mediterranean rim. Check residence conditions before joining a club for its insurance. In an emergency call 112 (118 also works in the Veneto).

Staying connected in Italy

TIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell SIMs and eSIMs; you need your passport, and the shop may create a codice fiscale (tax code) for you. Signal is patchy in high valleys and at huts, so download an offline map before you set off.

Getting there and where to stay

Fly into Venice (VCE), Milan or Munich, then travel to Dobbiaco (Toblach) in the Puster Valley or to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Sesto is the base for Val Fiscalina; Dobbiaco station is the hub for buses to Sesto and to Rifugio Auronzo.

Gear: rent or buy

This is hut trekking: dinner, breakfast and a bed with blankets are provided, so you carry a light pack. Days in Dobbiaco run 19 °C to 22 °C in summer, but nights near the huts can approach freezing in June and September. Bring layers for the cold evenings and a sleeping-bag liner.

• Hiking boots with good grip for scree and rocky pathsBuy
• Backpack of 30–40 litresRent or buy
• Sleeping-bag liner (compulsory in CAI huts)Buy
• Warm layer, waterproof jacket, hat and glovesBuy
• Headlamp (essential for the Monte Paterno tunnels)Buy
• Via ferrata harness, set and helmet, only if you go beyond the tunnelsRent
• Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreenBuy
• Trekking poles for the descent down Val Sasso VecchioRent or buy
• Cash, offline map, first-aid kit and power bankBuy

Add a few days in Italy

A few short trips fit around the trek, before or after it.

Frequently asked questions