Three Peaks of Lavaredo Hike in South Tyrol: The Complete Guide to the Most Famous Loop in the Dolomites

The Three Peaks of Lavaredo are the iconic landmark of the Dolomites. Three vertically rising summits with a shape you have seen countless times on postcards, in travel magazines and mountaineering films. Anyone visiting South Tyrol who can do only a single hike should choose this classic. The loop from the Auronzo Hut is one of the most beautiful mountain tours in the Alps, doable in half a day, without extreme experience and with rewards around every corner.

This article shows you the complete Three Peaks hike. From the right starting point through the individual huts to the best wellness hotels nearby, where you can relax after the hiking day in a warm sauna or pool. We give you concrete tips on the best time of day, on avoiding the biggest crowds and on combining with further tours in the region of Pustertal and Sesto.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop Overview

The classic loop is about ten kilometers long, with 400 meters of elevation up and down, and takes practiced hikers three and a half to four hours. Families with children and slow walkers plan rather five to six hours with hut breaks. Starting point is the Auronzo Hut at 2,320 meters, reachable via a toll mountain road from Misurina. You typically walk clockwise: first along the south side of the Three Peaks to the Lavaredo Hut, then ascending to the Forcella Lavaredo, on to the Three Peaks Hut with the famous north face view and back along the west side to the Auronzo Hut.

Difficulty is medium. You need surefootedness on scree, solid footwear and a good day pack with two liters of water, sunscreen and rain jacket. No head for heights is required, the path is wide and not exposed anywhere.

Arrival at the Auronzo Hut

You reach the Auronzo Hut via a mountain road that climbs about ten kilometers up from Misurina. The toll is currently 30 euros per car per day in summer, from late June to early October. Warning, the daily quota is limited and in high season July to August often sold out by morning. Anyone who wants to be sure either arrives before 8 a.m. or uses the shuttle bus.

From the Pustertal in South Tyrol a regular line bus runs in summer via Toblach and Misurina up to the Auronzo Hut. The bus is free to use with the South Tyrol Guest Pass, which makes it the stress-free variant for hotel guests in the region. Arrival also possible from Sesto and Innichen, there are connecting buses to the main line network there.

The Individual Huts Along the Way

Three huts lie directly on the path and shape the experience. Each has its own character, each is worth a stop.

Auronzo Hut: Starting Point and Supplies

The Auronzo Hut at 2,320 meters is the large supply station at the start of the tour. Restaurant with terrace, large parking, souvenir shop and bathrooms. Most clientele start and end here. The hut itself is not spectacular but functional. You can overnight there if you want to start very early the next morning, an advantage in high season rush.

Lavaredo Hut: On the Sunny Side

The Lavaredo Hut at 2,344 meters is about 45 minutes from the Auronzo Hut on a grassy saddle. It is smaller and cosier than the Auronzo Hut, with classic South Tyrolean cuisine, speck dumpling soup, Kaiserschmarrn and a sun terrace directly below the Three Peaks. The hut also has some dormitory and rooms for overnight stays, ideal if you want to experience the sunrise atmosphere at the Paterno mountain the next morning.

Three Peaks Hut: The Postcard Perspective

The Three Peaks Hut (Rifugio Locatelli) at 2,405 meters is the highlight of the loop. You reach it after about one and a half hours from the Auronzo Hut. In front of the hut is the famous viewpoint with the full north face perspective of the Three Peaks, the motif you see on every postcard. The hut is well managed, has a huge sun terrace, classic cuisine and is a traditional overnight place for hikers who want to experience sunset on the walls. Dormitory and rooms are booked months in advance in high season.

Variant: Sunrise at the Three Peaks Hut

The most spectacular experience is an overnight stay at the Three Peaks Hut with a sunrise walk at 5 a.m. in front of the hut. The first rays hit the north walls of the peaks and bathe them in red and orange. This image is postcard physics of the highest class. If you want this experience, book four to six months in advance and plan half a hiking day for ascent and descent with luggage. In the day pack enough warm clothing because night temperatures even in August are in the one to five degrees above zero range.

Wellness Hotels Near the Three Peaks

Anyone who wants to combine the Three Peaks hike with comfort stays in one of the following wellness hotels in the Pustertal or Hochpustertal. Arrival to the Auronzo Hut takes between 30 and 60 minutes by car or by public bus.

Naturhotel Leitlhof in Innichen

The Naturhotel Leitlhof in Innichen is probably the most perfect base for Three Peaks hikers. Four-star superior, organic architecture, extensive wellness area with several saunas, pool and outdoor basin with panorama of the Sexten Dolomites. The hotel is located about 25 kilometers from Misurina, the main bus to the Auronzo Hut stops directly in the village. Guided hikes with own hiking guide, equipment rental and packed lunches are included in the service. The cuisine is top, regional, with own organic garden.

Falkensteiner Hotel Antholz

The Falkensteiner Hotel Antholz in Rasen Antholz is a four-star property with strong Active and Wellness focus. Location in the Antholzertal, about 50 kilometers from the Auronzo Hut. Wellness area with indoor and outdoor pool, sauna landscape and beauty treatments. Family-friendly with kids' club. The Antholzertal is known as a ski area, in summer a quiet alternative to the overcrowded Hochpustertal.

Hotel Alpen Tesitin in Taisten Welsberg

The Alpen Tesitin in Taisten Welsberg is a five-star wellness hotel located on a sunny slope with view of the Dolomites. Spectacular wellness landscape with infinity pool, several saunas, hammam and beauty treatments. From the hotel about 45 kilometers to the Auronzo Hut, in summer shuttle service to the most important hiking trailheads.

Tips for the Best Experience

When to Go

The best time for the Three Peaks hike is mid June to mid October. In June the snowfields are gone, the huts open and hikers still few. July and August are extremely crowded, plan absolutely on weekdays and before 8 a.m. September is the insider tip: cooler temperatures, clear air, glowing larches and dramatically fewer hikers.

Weather Check

Mountain weather in the Sesto area in summer is typically two-part. Mornings clear and stable, from 1 p.m. frequent thunderstorms. Plan your tour so that you are back at the Auronzo Hut by 2 p.m. Weather forecasts are provided by the provincial weather service of South Tyrol with detailed forecasts for the Hochpustertal.

What to Bring

Mountain boots with profile, hiking poles optional but recommended, backpack with two liters of water, sunscreen factor 50, hat against high-altitude sun, light down jacket for breaks at the viewpoint, rain jacket and a simple snack pack. In the huts you can eat well and refill but water gets scarce at altitude on hot days.

With Children

The tour is suitable for children from about eight years with hiking experience. Younger children can do the path from Auronzo Hut to Lavaredo Hut as out and back, that is one and a half hours with minimal elevation and a guaranteed ice cream hut at the destination.

Other Hikes in the Region

Anyone who wants more than just the Three Peaks plans a second hiking day in the region. Recommendations:

Pragser Wildsee Loop

The Pragser Wildsee is 30 minutes drive west of the Three Peaks, a turquoise-green mountain lake at the foot of the Seekofel. Loop trail three kilometers, one hour, perfect for a quiet day. Very crowded in high season, so early in the morning or in autumn we recommend arrival.

Toblach Lake and Höhlensteintal

Lake Toblach near Toblach is a simple loop of a good hour with view of the Sexten Dolomites. From there the Three Peaks bike trail leads into the Höhlensteintal, ideal as a family bike trip.

Sextner Sun Dial

The Sextner Sun Dial are five mountain peaks that together appear as a dial: Neuner, Zehner, Elfer, Zwölfer and Einser. The most famous is the Elferkofel with a viewpoint at 2,500 meters, reachable by cable car from Sesto and an hour's high-altitude hike.

Connection with Other Topics

The Three Peaks region is a natural starting point for in-depth experience. In the Pustertal you find more top wellness hotels in our Pustertal guide. The main article on hiking in South Tyrol gives you an overview of all regions, route categories and season recommendations. Anyone looking for Adults Only wellness or hotels with infinity pool checks the corresponding clusters. The Three Peaks can be planned perfectly with arrival by train to Toblach and hotel shuttle, an environmentally friendly and stress-free variant.

Conclusion: Why the Three Peaks Belong on Your List

The Three Peaks are not without reason the most famous hiking motif in the Alps. The combination of manageable difficulty, breathtaking panorama and many hut stations makes the loop an experience that you will not forget for the rest of your life. Supplemented with an overnight stay in a wellness hotel like Leitlhof, Falkensteiner Antholz or Alpen Tesitin, this becomes a hiking holiday with all the comfort components you could wish for. Plan at least two days, ideally three, then you can do the tour once at leisure, optionally experience it at sunrise from the Three Peaks Hut and on the third day do complementary hikes like the Pragser Wildsee or the Sextner Sun Dial.

The region of Pustertal and Hochpustertal has specialised in hiking holidays, you find a dense network of wellness hotels, mountain railways, hiking buses and tourism infrastructure here. When you plan, write to us or book directly via the hotel pages of the Active addresses in our portal. We wish you an unforgettable hiking day at the Three Peaks of Lavaredo.