Tre Cime di Lavaredo is an environment that has no competitors in the world. Sensations range from wild to romantic to a true work of nature’s art. This iconic landscape of the Dolomites is very popular in the summer and to fully enjoy the scenery in the peace of silence, the most recommended months are October and November. In these months, however, the shelters close and the cold can start to set in.
How to get
Our route starts from the Auronzo Refuge, accessible from Misurina via the toll road (20€ motorbike, 30€ car, 45€ caravan, subject to availability). Alternatively, you can take buses from Dobbiaco, Misurina and neighboring towns. During peak periods, it is recommended to make a reservation on the online portal. Otherwise, a valid alternative to reach the refuge is to follow trail 101 which climbs the west side of the park along the Val Longeres. It starts from the free parking lot located on SP49 at the beginning of the toll road and reaches the refuge after an hour and a half walk.
The Auronzo Sanctuary is managed by Auronzo’s CAI Department and is open from late May to mid-October. It accommodates up to 99 beds and is an excellent solution for those who wish to tackle the dense hiking network that the area offers gradually, starting on foot from Lake Misurina.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo ring
From Auronzo Refuge (2320 m.) turn east along the busy dirt road following sign 101. You pass the Cappella degli Alpini and reach the Lavarento Refuge (2344 m.) dominated by Cima Piccola, Punta Frida and Piccolissima. We continue to the fork of the same name where you can already admire a wonderful lateral perspective of Tre Cime. Here begins the path that cuts the graveled slopes at the foot of the terrifying cliffs. It is the approach route to the via ferratas but as it is quite dangerous and prone to landslides, it is advisable to follow the longer and more panoramic ring.
Then we continue on the path 101 that leads us Locatelli shelter, one of the most famous terraces with a panoramic view of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Several EE-classified trails start from this location and cross the tunnels and corridors built during the First World War. After a well-deserved lunch, we continue the ring descending into its large gravel basin Grava Longa (Lange Alm). At first the path is steeply downhill, then climbs steeply diagonally until it reaches the foot of the north faces of Cima Grande and Cima Ovest, the largest and most photographed natural ‘menirs’ in the world.
He surpasses himself Malga Langham and at the end of Grava Longa you can turn right to reach the Lavaredo Lakes which reflect the Tre Cime in the water (not always there in summer). From the westernmost lake, continue to sign 105 (Alta Via number Four) along which you ascend to the south. You cross the ridges that descend from Sasso di Landro and Torre Lavaredo to reach the continuation Forcella Col di Mezzo (2315 m.). Always along the sign 105 you cross the southeast side between the pastures that hang over the Ampezzo Dolomites and in about half an hour you reach the Auronzo Refuge again.