The Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are the iconic symbol the Dolomites.
Indeed, they’re one of Italy’s most famous natural wonders, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. Thanks to their majestic beauty, in 2009 they were awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
- Cima Grande 2999 m
- Cima Ovest 2973 m
- Cima Piccola 2857 m
Where are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo located?
Although it sounds like an easy question, there are actually two answers and their exact location is often the subject of some debate about who in fact owns these extraordinary peaks.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are part of the Sesto Dolomites and are located right on the border between the two Italian regions: Alto Adige and Veneto.
The north side is located in the province of Bolzano (Alto Adige) and it is probably the most famous view, being the classic view with the three peaks, which many have admired at least once in lives life, if not first hand, then at least on a postcard or calendar, or maybe during a documentary about Italian natural wonders.
The southern aspect, however, is located in the province of Belluno (Veneto). From this side, particularly from the Auronzo Hut, which marks the start the best-known circular walk for exploring the Tre Cime.
From the Auronzo Hut to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
As mentioned, the best-known walk is the one that starts from the “Veneto side”, and more precisely, from the Auronzo Hut. This is a 9.5 km-long circular walk which can be completed in just over three hours. The path is not very difficult, and there is very little altitude gain, meaning it’s also suitable for families with kids.
The Auronzo Hut is located at 2326 meters above sea level and is 7 km from Misurina. From here you can enjoy the amazing view of the Tre Cime, but not only: it’s also possible to admire stunning views of the Cadini di Misurina, Monte Cristallo, Croda dei Toni, Val d’Ansiei and the Misurina Lake. It’s the starting point of our walk around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and also for other routes, such as “Alta Via No. 4” long-distance trail and the “Via Ferrata De Luca-Innerkofler”.
The hut can be reached by car, up a very expensive toll road. The toll, which includes road and parking, costs € 30 for cars, € 20 for motorbikes, € 45 for campers.
Our advice is to reach the Auronzo Hut using public transport; it’s the most practical solution to avoid traffic and the most sustainable for the environment. There is are buses that depart from Misurina, Auronzo di Cadore or Dobbiaco.
Be aware that the road is closed to traffic during the colder months. Before traveling, we strongly recommend you contact the Tre Cime Tourist Office (Tel .: +39 0435 99603)
Once you reach the Auronzo Hut by car, bus – or on foot if you’re a particularly fit hiker – take path 101, which leads to the Lavaredo Hut.
Once at the Lavaredo Hut, keep on the path and head up towards Forcella Lavaredo. Continue on from here towards the Locatelli Hut, located at an altitude of 2405 meters.
From here you can admire the truly stunning and most iconic views of the north side of the Tre Cime. Then continue on westward, taking path 105, which passes Malga Lang Alm and leads you back to the starting point.
Information about the walk
Difficulty: Easy
Departure: Auronzo Hut 2326 m
Arrival: Auronzo Hut 2326 m
Total duration: 3.00 to 3.30 hrs
Total height gain: about 500 m
Length: about 9.5 km
Maximum altitude: Forcella Lavaredo 2454 m
Huts: Lavaredo Hut 2345 m, Locatelli Hut 2405
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO
The colours of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The stunning beauty of the Tre Cime is also due to the spectacular ever-changing colours, which create splendid unforgettable hues that hit you on an emotional level and which can only be created by the majesty of nature.
When the sky is clear, you can enjoy the wonderful interplay between light and shadow playfully created by the sun.
At sunset, the Tre Cime are painted with warm and intense tones, appearing as three fiery peaks thrusting upwards into the sky.
The Tre Cime are even impressive in the rain, where different shades of grey dominate, lending them a charming air and a brooding elegance.
When shrouded in clouds, soft and icy colours predominate, lending the peaks an enchanted air.
World War I
Between 1915 and 1918 the area around the Tre Cime was the old national border and it sadly became a cruel theatre of war, with the Austrian and Italian armies engaged in brutal fighting, as evidenced by the many tunnels and trenched which can still be seen today.
The first climbs
The first man to conquer the highest of the Tre Cime’s peaks – Cima Grande – was the Austrian mountaineer Paul Grohmann, who had already scaled many other peaks in the Dolomites. Enchanted by the audacity of their unique architecture, he decided to attempt the climb together with local guides Franz Innerkofler and Peter Salcher. In August 1869 they succeeded, reaching the summit in less than 3 hours.
A few years later, in 1874, the young 21-year-old Anna Ploner became the first woman to reach the summit of the Cima Grande, led by the mountain guides Michel Innerkofler and Luigi Orsolina.
Cima Ovest, considered a lesser objective because it was lower than the Cima Grande, was first climbed by Michel Innerkofler (a relative of Franz Innerkofler) and Georg Ploner in 1879.
The Cima Piccola was climbed for the first time two years later, when the mountain guides Michel and Hans Innerkofler reached the summit in 1881.
The first film footage
The first time the Tre Cime di Lavaredo were filmed dates back to 1907, the year in which the Englishman Frank Ormiston-Smith – who was famous for having filmed an ascent of Mont Blanc four years earlier –was commissioned to take some film footage using a special camera built especially for the occasion.
Frank Ormiston-Smith billed his footage as “the greatest show on earth” and the Tre Cime quickly became a popular destination for photographers and filmmakers, excited to immortalise first-hand this amazing spectacle of nature.
Tre Cime, special guest-stars
In the Music World
The charm of the Three Peaks also won over Chris Martin, Coldplay frontman. In the music video “Up & Up”, released in 2016, the members of the British band can be seen performing like giants surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world represented in miniature, including Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
On the Big Screen
The Tre Cime have also been used as the backdrop to a battle between spaceships. In 2017 the Dolomites were used to as the setting for a scene in the iconic Star Wars saga. They also appeared in the thirteenth episode of the first season of the Marvel series Agents of S.I.E.L.D. and in the video game Far Cry Primal.
Marsupio and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The unique skyline of the Three Peaks has been a source of inspiration not only for great artists, photographers and directors, but also our company.
Indeed, the iconic profile of the Tre Cime served as the inspiration for the stylised ‘M’ we use in our Marsupio logo. We’ve always had a strong affinity for nature and close ties to our land, and so we could not fail to pay homage to one of our region’s greatest natural wonders.
If you want to find out more, why not take a look at the video we’ve made which tells our story and the philosophy of our company:
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are a magical and evocative place, and an absolute must on the itinerary of anyone planning to visit the Dolomites.
We hope we’ve managed to take you on an imaginary journey among the enchanting landscapes of our mountains and, perhaps we’ve also inspired you to come and admire them first hand, in all their majesty.
