It’s iconic, super photogenic, and makes for an awesome outdoor adventure in northern Italy. Here’s a guide for the Tre Cime hike with everything you need to know to plan your hiking adventure. I’ve added a bunch of tips for doing the hike, visiting the caves, and added links to more hikes in the area so you’ll be all set for a fun outing.
What You Need To Know For The Tre Cime Hike And Caves
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
FAQ for the Tre Cime hike
Where is it located?
It is located in South Tyrol about 3 hours drive from Ederle.
How long does it take?
Depending on your pace and how often you stop for breaks, anywhere from 3-5 hours. We took about 4 hours with lots of photo stops and lunch at Rifugio Locatelli.
What skill level is required?
Beginner to intermediate.
What type of trail is it?
Point to point or loop on rocky terrain.
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes. At the end of the day though, I can’t answer it for you because you know your kids best. Use the guide and your best judgment to decide what works for your family.
Is it dog friendly?
Yes following the usual rules of keeping the dog on a leash and picking up after them.
What should you bring with you?
- Good hiking shoes – I recommend the New Balance Minimus
- Water
- Sun protection
- Snacks or lunch
- Camera – I recommend a GoPro with a compact selfie stick and tripod like this and/or Sony Alpha a6000
- Jacket or layers – it can be chilly up there
and/or 
Gorgeous views on the Tre Cime hike
Where to park
To get to the parking area, you need to pay a fee of €30 per car, per day. After you pay and get your ticket, you will keep driving up to the parking area where there are attendants to guide you on where to park.
Because of snow, you can’t drive there year-round. Use this website or call them to check if it’s open when you’re planning a visit if you’ll be visiting on a shoulder season.
If you want to avoid paying the toll, you could park further away and walk up to the start. For this, you can park anywhere around Lago Antorno or outside the toll booth (you’d have to be there early to get one of those spots.) Fair warning though, it’s a pretty steep walk just to get to the start.
Another option is to take a Dolomiti Bus to the start. Here’s more information on timetables.
Start of the trail after Rifugio Auronzo
Which trail to choose
I used trail 101 to get there and 105 to return so it was like a big loop.
If you don’t want to do a loop, you could also do this as a point to point to get to Rifugio Locatelli then return the way you came.
It’s worth noting that there are a bunch of other trails out there so these aren’t the only options. Not even close. I’m writing the guide using the 101 in and 105 to keep it simple though.
The hike is easy to follow and is well signed
Hiking the Tre Cime circuit
Starting from the parking area, walk towards Rifugio Auronzo and follow the wide trail behind it, following the 101 trail signs to Rifugio Locatelli.
You’ll pass a picturesque chapel and Rifugio Lavaredo on this trail before arriving at Forcella Lavarado – a viewing point for Tre Cime and a great area to get a couple of photos.
From here, follow either the upper or lower trail towards Rifugio Locatelli.
The rifugio is a great place to stop for lunch and has an epic view.
After that, start using the 105 trail towards Rifugio Auronzo. This will take you downhill on a series of switchbacks before you reach the valley. Keep an eye out for cute cows wandering around here – you’ll hear the cowbells echoing in the mountains.
What goes down must come up, so you have a steep uphill push next. It’s wide enough to stop and take breaks if you need to and at the top is Malga Langalm if you want to buy a drink before moving on to the final leg of the hike.
What to expect
Crowds.
It’s a popular hike – and for good reason. The amazing landscapes attract a crowd though so expect it to be one of those hikes where you’ve got people around you most of the time.
It takes away from the ‘out in the wild’ feeling a bit, but the beauty of the area more than makes up for it.
Given the popularity, you’ll want to go early for this one.
The trails themselves are wide and allow plenty of room for people to pass each other.
It’s the kind of trail that people seem to do slow with a lot of breaks in between to enjoy the scenery. Allow plenty of time to take it all in.
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The Tre Cime caves
Want the best view of Tre Cime?
Check it out from one of the many old WWI caves in the area.
I explored the caves above Rifugio Locatelli and it was really cool to see the view from inside them.
The path up to them was a little more advanced because it was steep and very slippery – I crab-walked most of the way down, but worth it.
Tre Cime caves
You can just see the caves in this photo. From this view, I used the trail to the right on the way up, and the trail to the left on the way down.
Safety tips for hiking the Tre Cime circuit
It’s an open trail and exposed to the elements so sun protection is pretty important on this hike. Make sure you bring enough water and protect your skin.
I recommend wearing a good pair of hiking shoes for this trail because the terrain is rocky and the loose rock can be a little slippery in some sections. In saying that, I did it in my Nike sneakers so it’s possible to do it in sneakers, I just wouldn’t recommend it.
If you have a pair of hiking shoes with good grip, it will make it a bit easier though. My usual go-to shoes are the New Balance Minimus
because they keep me sturdy on slippery trails. They’re also lightweight which makes them easy to pack for travel.
You’ll be hiking at altitude so it can be a little chilly. I recommend wearing layers so you can adjust when you get cool or hot. Also, hiking at altitude is a little more taxing, so just take it slow and go at your own pace.
A look at the trail
Where to stay near the Tre Cime hike
You can definitely do this as a day trip, but I turned it into a weekend away with my husband and we stayed at Camina Suite and Spa in Cortina d’Ampezzo. It was amazing!
I loved the huge shower, wooden decor, balcony, and location.
From there you can walk into town easily to look around all the shops or eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants.
It was about a 30-minute drive from the start of the hike which was convenient for an early start too.
You could stay even closer at Rifugio Auronzo or split up the hike and stay at Rifugio Locatelli. I’d say these options are best if you really want to have sunrise or sunset photos because you’re so close or you will be doing other trails in the area.
If not, I’d recommend staying in town so that you’re closer to other things to do.
Camina Suite and Spa
For other hikes in the area, I recommend:
- Lago di Sorapis
- Lago di Braies
- Falzarego Pass
I have more information for these in my post on the best hikes in the Dolomites.
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Rifugio Locatelli in the distance
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