Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy: The Dolomite Cathedral
The Tre Cime (Three Peaks) are the undisputed icons of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. For hikers, this isn’t just a mountain; it’s a high-altitude gallery of limestone architecture. Unlike many peaks where the summit is the goal, here, the circumference is the prize.
The Route: The „Ring“ (Sentiero 101 to 105)
- Starting Point: Rifugio Auronzo (2333m), accessible via a scenic (and pricey) toll road from Misurina.
- Distance: 10km loop.
- Elevation Gain: 400m (moderate).
- Time: 3.5 to 5 hours.
The Deep Dive
The hike begins at the massive Rifugio Auronzo. Most people head east toward Rifugio Lavaredo. The first section is wide and flat—it feels like a sidewalk in the sky. To your right, the Cadini di Misurina spires look like a gothic cathedral made of rock.
The „real“ hike starts at Forcella Lavaredo. As you reach this mountain pass, the Three Peaks suddenly reveal their true verticality. From here, you descend into a rocky basin. You must make the detour to Rifugio Locatelli (Drei Zinnen Hütte). This is the „Postcard View.“ Looking back from Locatelli, you see the Cima Piccola, Cima Grande, and Cima Ovest in a perfect row.
Hiker’s Pro-Tips:
- The Cave Secret: Just above Rifugio Locatelli, there are WWI tunnels carved into the mountain. If you have a headlamp, you can climb through them for a framed „window“ view of the Tre Cime.
- Beat the Toll: The toll gate (30€ – 40€) usually closes by 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM once the parking lot is full. Arrive by 7:00 AM or take the shuttle bus.
- The Reverse Loop: Most hikers go counter-clockwise. If you go clockwise (starting toward the Forcella col di Mezzo), you’ll face the peaks for the second half of the hike, saving the best views for when the sun is hitting the faces.
