Tre Cime di Lavaredo: Our Counterclockwise Hiking Strategy
Start early, consider going against the crowd, and do not underestimate the exposure on nearby Cadini.
We reserved parking in advance
For our visit, parking at Rifugio Auronzo required an advance reservation and a specific arrival window. This system can change, so check the current official access rules before your trip rather than assuming you can simply drive up.
Counterclockwise for fewer people
We did the loop counterclockwise. Almost no one around us was traveling the same direction, and for roughly the first two-thirds of the hike we had remarkably few people nearby.
Views all the way around
Tre Cime is not about one viewpoint. The scenery changes as you circle the peaks, which is why we think the full loop is worth doing rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
Carry some cash
We needed cash for mountain-hut purchases during our visit. Payment policies can change, but we would carry cash rather than relying only on cards.
Pair it with Cadini—but know about the exposure
The short Cadini di Misurina panoramic hike near Tre Cime surprised us. Because it is short and often described as easy, we expected a simple add-on. Physically it was short; psychologically it was much more serious.
There were very exposed, open ledges that felt scarier than we expected. The views were gorgeous, but anyone uncomfortable with heights should know that “short” does not mean “unexposed.”
Our verdict
Start early and do the loop. Our 6:30 a.m. start and counterclockwise direction transformed a famous, busy attraction into a surprisingly peaceful hike for much of the morning.