Tre Cime di Lavaredo at a glance
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Dolomites (Drei Zinnen in German) are three limestone towers with sheer north faces. Most visitors start the Tre Cime loop hike from Rifugio Auronzo, a hut at about 2,330 m that you reach by toll road. The road lies in the province of Belluno in the Veneto, not in South Tyrol. The hut and the trail sit on the border between South Tyrol and Belluno.
This is an independent guide. All prices and rules below are for 2026 and were checked on 19 October 2026. Reservation and toll are handled through Auronzo di Cadore, not through South Tyrol, so older South Tyrol-based guides can be out of date.
Toll road to Rifugio Auronzo: prices 2026
The road is about 6 km long and starts at Lago d'Antorno near Auronzo di Cadore. Prices are per vehicle and include the day parking.
| Vehicle | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Car | €40 |
| Motorbike | €26 |
| Camper or caravan | €60 |
| Bus up to 30 seats | €80 |
| Bus over 30 seats | €160 |
| Residents of Auronzo di Cadore | €5 |
Since summer 2025 you can only drive up with a valid online reservation. You enter an email, a phone number and your licence plate; the plate can be added until 23:59 the day before. The online calendar shows free days and time slots in real time. The ticket is valid for 12 hours from the booked entry time and expires when you leave the car park. One blog quotes €50, but the official 2026 price is €40. We could not verify the daily vehicle limit.
Our picks: Tre Cime
A guided hike with the toll road included, or a day trip from Venice.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Dolomites, Lago di Braies and Tre Cime from Venice
Transport from Piazzale Roma with an English-speaking driver-guide. No entry fees are listed; food, drinks and tips are extra.
Check availability →Guided hike around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Includes the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo and a guide who explains geology, First World War history and wildlife.
Check availability →
Lago di Braies and Tre Cime from Venice by minivan
A driver-guide in a Mercedes minivan for up to eight, with Wi-Fi.
Check availability →Tre Cime tours and day trips
Guided hikes and day trips to the Tre Cime from Cortina, Dobbiaco and Venice, with live prices and availability.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiking: the loop in stages
The classic round trip is about 9.5 km, with 400 m of climbing and a high point of 2,454 m at the Paternsattel. Plan roughly 3 hours; other guides give 3 to 4 hours, and 8 to 9.7 km. The Tre Cime trail follows paths 101 and 105.
| Stage | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo | 1.7 km | 30 min |
| Rifugio Lavaredo to Paternsattel | 1.0 km | 20 min |
| Paternsattel to Dreizinnen hut | 1.9 km | 40 min |
| Dreizinnen hut to Malga dei Pastori | 2.8 km | 1 h 15 min |
| Malga dei Pastori to Rifugio Auronzo | 2.1 km | 35 min |
How hard is the Tre Cime hike?
The outbound path is easy; the return via Forcella di Mezzo is a little more demanding. The stage times add up to about 3 hours 20 minutes without stops. The huts along the route are open from June to September, so in October there is no food or water on the trail. Carry supplies, and a warm layer: at around 2,400 m the weather changes quickly.
Getting there without a car: bus 444
The shuttle bus 444 from Dobbiaco (Toblach) ran from 31 May to 11 October 2026 and required a reservation and online payment for the return trip. The operator says it starts again in summer 2027, with details to follow. We could not verify the fare or the journey time.
Passes matter here: the Mobilcard is not valid on line 444, the HolidayPass is not valid either, and the South Tyrol Guest Pass does not cover the seasonal shuttles that include Rifugio Auronzo. A bus from Cortina to Passo Tre Croci and Misurina exists according to secondary sources, but we could not verify the line number or the 2026 timetable. Check locally.
One secondary source describes parking at Lago d'Antorno and walking up as adding roughly 7 km and 500 m of climbing. We did not verify this, so treat it as a rough guide only.
When the road is open
The toll road normally runs from the end of May to the end of October. Snow or hazards can close it for a while. The parking customer service in Auronzo can be reached daily from 09:00 to 15:00, closed on Thursdays. Summer 2027 prices and rules are not yet published.
For other times of year, see our best time to visit page. For other Dolomites treks and trails, read the Dolomites hiking guide.
More places nearby
Other places and guides that fit a Tre Cime trip.
Parking for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Tre Cime parking is part of the toll: the €40 per car in 2026 includes the day parking at the top, and the ticket is valid for 12 hours from the booked entry time. It expires when you leave the car park, so the reservation covers one visit.
Parking at Rifugio Auronzo
Rifugio Auronzo parking is the car park at the top of the toll road, at about 2,330 m, and it is where the loop starts and ends. The reservation is for the drive up: you pick a date and time slot online and can add your licence plate until 23:59 the day before.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo: frequently asked questions
How much is the Tre Cime toll road in 2026?
€40 per car, €26 per motorbike and €60 per camper, only with an online reservation. The ticket is valid for 12 hours and includes parking at Rifugio Auronzo.
Can I drive up without a reservation?
No. Since summer 2025 the toll road can only be used with a valid online reservation. You must give your email, phone number and licence plate.
How long is the Tre Cime loop?
About 9 to 10 km. The official stage times add up to roughly 3 hours 20 minutes, and many walkers plan 3 to 4 hours with stops. The climb is about 400 m, with a high point of 2,454 m.
Does bus 444 from Dobbiaco run in autumn 2026?
No. The 2026 season ended on 11 October. The operator says the shuttle is back in summer 2027.
Are the mountain huts open in October?
The huts on the loop are open from June to September. Do not count on food or drinks there in October, and bring your own.
Is the Tre Cime in South Tyrol?
The towers and the trail lie on the border of South Tyrol and Belluno. The toll road and its reservation system belong to Belluno in the Veneto, run from Auronzo di Cadore.