Drei Zinnen Circuit + Dreizinnenhütte

• Start: Parking lot Rifugio Auronzo
• Destination: Rifugio Locatelli + Tre Cime circuit
• Difficulty: Easy
• Signposts: No. 101 to Rifugio Locatelli; No. 105 back to Rifugio Auronzo
• Trail length: 9.5 km
• Walking time: 4h
• Elevation gain: 134 m
• Highest point elevation: 2,454 m
• Refreshment stops: Rifugio Locatelli, Rif. Auronzo, Rif. Lavaredo, Malga Langalm
• Experienced: August 2019

Journey to the starting point

By car:

Coming from Brenner or Bolzano (both take approx. 2h), head towards Pustertal, past Bruneck to Toblach and then follow the signs to Misurina and the Tre Cime. We park in the large parking lot near the Rifugio Auronzo, from where the hike begins. Especially during high season (August), it is advisable to arrive relatively early to avoid traffic jams in the Pustertal and finally to the parking lot. Depending on snow and weather conditions, the road to Rifugio Auronzo is accessible from the end of May to the end of October.

Parking lot opening hours:

• Daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Parking fees (per day):

• Car: 30 € | Motorcycle: 20 € | Camper & vehicles over 2.10 m: 45 €
• Bus up to 30 people: 60 € | Bus from 30 people: 120 €

Surcharge for overnight stay:

• Car: 15 € | Motorcycle: 5 € | Camper: 25 €
• Bus up to 30 people: 30 € | Bus from 30 people: 60 €

By train/bus:

From Brenner and Bolzano, change in Franzensfeste and take the train to Toblach. From there, bus No. 444 goes to Rifugio Auronzo.

Start of the tour

We start our tour at the parking lot near the Rifugio Auronzo and take trail number 101, which leads us to the other side of the Tre Cime. After about 15 minutes, we reach a small church and immediately after that the Rifugio Lavaredo (2344 m). There you can stop for a drink or something to eat. However, I recommend waiting a bit longer for food. Why? Just keep reading! :-)

From Rifugio Lavaredo, the paths diverge. You can either turn left and hike to the Cima Piccola or take the gravel path to the Forcella Lavaredo on the right (about 45 minutes). We take the path to the Cima Piccola.

At the top, a wonderful view of the Tre Cime opens up to us. They stand majestically before us...

The Tre Cime are also popular with alpine climbers. Early in the morning, climbers gather on some routes. Quite courageous! But I prefer to stay on the ground and watch the alpinists from below.

Info: The Cima Grande has a height of 2999 m, the Cima Ovest 2973 m, and the Cima Piccola 2857 m.

Eating at the Rifugio Locatelli

After taking some photos, we set off because we're getting hungry!

The Rifugio Locatelli can be seen from afar. There are two ways to get there. One is a bit steep and stony (see picture). If you prefer it more leisurely and safe, you can choose the lower path.

After about 20 minutes, we reach the Rifugio Locatelli. There are opportunities to enjoy your meal on the terrace with a dreamlike panorama of the Tre Cime or to make yourself comfortable inside.

The hut is always relatively busy. Longer waiting times should be expected on some days.

The Rifugio Locatelli offers overnight accommodation for 140 people, 40 beds and 100 people in dormitories.

Return journey

Refreshed, we begin our return journey. Path number 105 leads us down and then back up under the north face of the Tre Cime.

Arriving on the other side of the Tre Cime, we come across a small mountain lake, the "Malga Langalm" and another mountain lake, into which our dogs immediately jump :-). You can also stop for refreshments at the alm. We drink a hot tea and Italian coffee.

We continue and reach the Mittlere Scharte and later the parking lot at the Rifugio Auronzo, where we started the hike.

Conclusion

Within just four hours, you can completely circumnavigate the Tre Cime. A beautiful and easy hike with little elevation gain.

The panorama is simply breathtakingly beautiful - the peaks of the Dolomite mountains and the mighty Tre Cime.

The tour is also suitable for families. However, I recommend using baby carriers instead of strollers for the little ones.

The Tre Cime attract numerous visitors from all over the world every year. Therefore, "Völkerwanderungen" (as I like to call them) cannot be ruled out ;-).

All in all, you simply have to do the circuit once!

I wish you a lot of fun on the tour.

Best regards, Anna