There are some places in the Dolomites that you know you're going to see before you ever arrive. Tre Cime di Lavaredo is one of them. You've probably seen the photos...three enormous limestone peaks rising dramatically above a green alpine landscape, with a tiny trail winding around them. It is one of those places that looks almost too perfect to be real.
And yes, the Tre Cime hike really is that beautiful.
But there is something you need to know before you go.
Getting to the trailhead requires more planning than it used to.
If you're planning to drive your rental car to the Rifugio Auronzo parking area, you now need to make a reservation in advance. Your license plate is connected to that reservation, and the access system uses vehicle recognition to control who is allowed to drive up the mountain road.
This is important because a lot of the information you'll find online about Tre Cime is outdated. Older posts often tell you that you can simply drive up, pay the toll and park.
That's not the system you should plan around now.
The good news? A parking reservation isn't the only way to experience Tre Cime.
There are also hikes you can do from the surrounding area that don't require you to drive your car up the restricted road.
And if you have the time, you can even combine Tre Cime with Cadini di Misurina for a pretty spectacular day in the mountains.
Here's what I would know before planning your Tre Cime hike.
How to Reserve Parking and Hike Tre Cime in the Dolomites
Where Is Tre Cime di Lavaredo?
Tre Cime di Lavaredo, also called Drei Zinnen, is in the eastern Dolomites near Misurina, Italy. We stayed in both Cortina d'Ampezzo and San Candido and could access the area from either place quite easily.
Pro tip: having the option to visit from either location where we had made a home base allowed us more flexibility in planning our trip to Tre Cime. The parking reservation fills up quickly, so this allowed us more options for days to visit.
For more information on where to stay in the Dolomites check out this post: Three Incredible Home Bases in the Dolomites for Hiking and Exploring
The three peaks are called Cima Grande, Cima Ovest and Cima Piccola and are part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage landscape and have become one of the defining images of the region.
The main trailhead for the classic Tre Cime loop is at Rifugio Auronzo, which sits at roughly 2,333 meters, or about 7,650 feet.
That's high!
And it's something I think is easy to forget when you're looking at photographs of the Dolomites from sea level and planning your itinerary.
You aren't just taking a walk around some pretty mountains.
You're hiking at altitude.
That means weather can change quickly, the sun can be intense even when the temperature is cool, and a hike that looks manageable on a map can feel very different once you're climbing.
But that's also what makes this area so spectacular.
Do You Need a Reservation to Visit Tre Cime?
You need a reservation if you want to drive your car to the Rifugio Auronzo parking area.
This is important!!!
The access road from the Misurina area climbs toward Rifugio Auronzo, and vehicle access is regulated. The current system requires drivers to make a reservation and provide their vehicle's license plate information.
The reservation is tied to your vehicle, so I would think of it as an access reservation, rather than simply paying for a parking space.
The system is designed to control the number of cars traveling up the mountain, which makes sense when you see just how popular Tre Cime has become.
And this is where you'll want to pay attention if you're renting a car.
What if I don't know my rental car's license plate yet?
Don't panic.
You can make the reservation before you have the actual license plate number. The current system allows you to add or change the license plate later, up until the specified deadline before your visit {at the time of writing this it was 24 hours before}.
Reserve your date first. Reservations for parking usually open 30 days in advance. And they do sell out time slots quickly! If you had your heart set on sunrise at Tre Cime, make sure you stalk the parking reservations website.
When you pick up your rental car, make sure you update the reservation with the correct license plate. Put a reminder in your phone if you need to. Because this is one of those little travel details that would be incredibly frustrating to discover when you're sitting in your rental car at the bottom of the mountain. You will need to log into your account that you created to book the reservation and enter the information that way.
How Much Does Tre Cime Parking Cost?
The price can change from season to season, so always check the official website when you make your reservation. For 2026, the official information lists €40 for a standard car. There are different rates for motorcycles, motorhomes and other vehicles.
And yes, €40 for parking can feel like a lot. But you're not really paying for a parking space.
You're paying for access to drive your car several thousand feet up into one of the most famous mountain landscapes in the Dolomites. If you're already road-tripping through the Dolomites, I think the convenience can be worth it.
What I wouldn't do is assume you'll just show up and figure it out!
Reserve before you go.
Pro Tip: I couldn't believe how many people I saw looking for rides to Tre Cime. They were mostly posted on message boards looking for rides since they didn't reserve parking in time. We also saw quite a lot of people with cash in hand on the roadside, willing to pay for a ride up {and down} because the bus lines were ridiculous. There were even people hitchhiking on both ends! If you want to reduce your cost, you could take a gamble and share the cost with people who weren't able to get a reservation if you have room in your car.
How Do You Reserve Parking at Tre Cime?
The reservation is handled through the official Tre Cime/Auronzo system. You can find the current information and reservation calendar here.
Choose your date, enter the required information and keep your confirmation. I would save it to your phone and, honestly, take a screenshot too.
I don't like depending on cell service in the mountains when I have an important reservation to prove.
We received an email the night before so that we could double-check that the license plate associated with your reservation is correct.
Because the license plate on our rental car was already put into the system, we just drove up and didn't need to show any confirmation number or anything, but better safe than sorry, so make sure you have it!
Pro tip: The website says that you can NOT arrive earlier than your reservation time. We got there about five minutes before and it wasn't an issue, but we were prepared to wait on the side of the road if we needed to. If you arrive hours before, this may be more of an issue.
The License Plate and Photo System
This is another detail I would not gloss over. The current access system uses vehicle information and license plate recognition to regulate access.
In other words, this isn't like pulling up to a parking attendant, handing over €40 and hoping there is a spot. Your vehicle needs to be authorized. There is a guard station with a gate arm barrier that limits your access.
That matters because you'll still find older travel information online describing Tre Cime as a simple toll road. If you're planning your trip based on something you read a few years ago, stop and check the current rules. {even what you are finding here in this post!}
The Dolomites are becoming increasingly popular, and several of the region's most famous attractions are introducing systems to manage visitors and traffic.
Tre Cime is one of them.
What If Parking Reservations Are Sold Out?
This is where things get interesting.
You can still hike in the Tre Cime area without driving your car to Rifugio Auronzo.
And I actually love knowing this because it means a sold out parking reservation doesn't automatically have to ruin your plans. You just need to change your approach. And be prepared for a MUCH longer hike...with elevation.
There are hiking routes from the surrounding area, including approaches from Misurina, Lago d'Antorno, Val Fiscalina and Lago di Landro.
The important thing to understand is that these are not secret shortcuts. The shortcut is the access to the high altitude parking lot through the reservation system.
For hikers who don't mind adding mileage and elevation, that can actually be part of the fun.
What About the Bus?
You know those viral videos showing long lines at the bus stop and reiterating the fact that the Dolomites are overrun with tourists? Well, those videos are almost always taken from bus stops of people waiting to go to Tre Cime.
The lines we passed for the bus we were told, were at least two hours long. On return, the bus lines were at least that and as it neared the end of the evening, some of the people in line, may or may not have gotten a spot on the bus down after it stopped running.
All that to say, if I didn't get a reservation for Tre Cime for parking, I likely would not have attempted the bus. There just aren't enough buses for the amount of people wanting to visit.
BUT for brave souls who want to try to hike there, here are some alternatives. I did not attempt any of these hikes. I just gathered the information and you can do with it what you want!
Hike to Tre Cime From Lago d'Antorno
One of the most logical alternatives is to start around Lago d'Antorno.
Lago d'Antorno is a small alpine lake along the road between Misurina and Tre Cime. It's beautiful enough that I would put it on my itinerary even if I had a Tre Cime parking reservation.
The lake itself is surrounded by mountains and makes a pretty spectacular introduction to the area. From here, you can continue on foot toward Rifugio Auronzo rather than driving the restricted road.
The catch?
You're adding elevation and distance. You're no longer starting your hike at the top.
That's something I think travelers need to understand before choosing this option. If you're imagining that you can park at Lago d'Antorno and casually walk over to the Tre Cime trailhead, that's not quite what you're signing up for.
You're turning the day into a much bigger hike. But if you're an experienced hiker, this can be a great alternative. And if you don't have a parking reservation, it's nice to know you haven't completely lost your Tre Cime day.
Start in Misurina
You can also begin in Misurina, near the beautiful Lago di Misurina. Locals will tell you that this is the best hike and that it's "easy".
This adds even more distance, but it gives you the opportunity to turn your entire day into a hike rather than driving between viewpoints.
And there's something to be said for that.
One of the things I've learned from traveling in the Dolomites is that sometimes the best experiences happen when you slow down enough to actually move through the landscape.
Rather than hopping from parking lot to parking lot, you're watching the scenery change as you climb.
The walk around Lago di Misurina itself is an easy option if you aren't looking for a major hike. The official tourism information puts the lake loop at roughly 2.5 kilometers and about 45 minutes to an hour.
That's obviously very different from hiking all the way to Tre Cime, but it gives you another option for a lower-key day.
Hike to Rifugio Locatelli From Val Fiscalina
If you're staying farther north near San Candido or Sexten, you have another interesting option. You can approach Tre Cime from Val Fiscalina.
This is one of the routes I'd consider if you're already staying in that part of the Dolomites because you're approaching the mountains from a completely different direction.
The route leads toward Rifugio Locatelli, which is one of the best places to see the dramatic north faces of Tre Cime.
And that brings up something I really love about this area. You don't always have to hike the exact route you see in every Instagram photo.
The Dolomites are crisscrossed with trails, and approaching a famous landmark from a different direction can give you a completely different experience.
The Val Fiscalina approach is more demanding, though, so this isn't my recommendation for someone looking for an easy workaround to the parking reservation. The official tourism information and All Trails identifies it as a more challenging route. I'm an experienced hiker and I'm not always comfortable on the trails identified as moderate. Hikes often considered challenging have via ferratas {which need special equipment}, exposed drop off areas, or unmarked trails that require scrambling up rock fields.
Another Approach: Lago di Landro
You can also approach the Tre Cime area from Lago di Landro. Routes from this area head through the surrounding valleys toward Rifugio Locatelli and the Three Peaks.
Again, this is a legitimate mountain hike, not a replacement for driving up to the parking lot.
If you're looking for a longer hiking adventure and you're comfortable with elevation and distance, though, this gives you another way to experience the area without needing a vehicle reservation.
For me, this is one of the reasons I love researching a destination before I travel.
If your only plan is "park at Tre Cime and hike," a sold-out reservation feels like the end of the story.
If you've looked at the entire trail network, and you don't mind some extra hiking, it's just a change of plans.
Hiking the Classic Tre Cime Loop
Of course, if you do have your parking reservation, the Tre Cime loop is the hike you're probably there to do. This is the classic route that takes you around the Three Peaks rather than simply walking to one viewpoint and turning around.
You'll start at Rifugio Auronzo and follow the trail toward Rifugio Lavaredo.
From there, you'll climb toward Forcella Lavaredo.
This is one of those moments when you'll understand why everyone talks about Tre Cime.
The views become increasingly dramatic as you approach the pass, and the enormous limestone walls start to feel almost impossibly close.
From Forcella Lavaredo, continue toward Rifugio Locatelli.
This is where you'll get one of the classic views of the north faces of Tre Cime.
If you've ever seen that iconic photograph of the Three Peaks towering above a little mountain hut, there's a good chance it was taken from around this area.
The trail then continues around the peaks before eventually bringing you back toward Rifugio Auronzo.
Pro tip: Bring cash! This was the only place in the Dolomites that I saw a cash only rifugio. There were also LONG lines for the bathrooms that were turnstile pay for 1 euro. You really don't have much choice because the trail is very heavily trafficked and because it's at such high elevation, it's very exposed, making it difficult to find, should we call them, nature spots for the bathroom.
Can You Add Cadini di Misurina?
Cadini di Misurina is another spectacular mountain group in this part of the Dolomites. Instead of the enormous, rounded limestone formations of Tre Cime, the Cadini mountains are incredibly jagged and dramatic.
The famous Cadini viewpoint has become almost as recognizable on social media as Tre Cime itself. The lines are just as infamous. There is a chance to head up the hillside before the viewpoint to a lesser trafficked area. I'd suggest doing that. The lines for a photo at the viewpoint alone can take more than an hour!
Because the two areas are relatively close together, it makes sense to look at them as part of the same larger mountain day. Just be responsible if you are adding it. This particular area has narrow trails and steeper drop offs, so you want to make sure you have steady legs.
Pro tip: if you are planning on doing both the Tre Cime Loop and Cadini di Misurina, plan accordingly. Our parking reservation was for 11 am. We knew that if we went to Cadini di Misurina first, we'd be met with hoards of hikers. In fact, we could see hoards of hikers! We ended up doing Tre Cime Loop and taking our time at a few rifugios and then headed over to Cadini around 3 pm when the crowds had died down a bit. If you have an early reservation, you might want to do Cadini first.
Don't Forget the Easy Walk Around Lago di Misurina
Not every day in the Dolomites needs to be an epic hiking day. Don't forget to work in rest days.
The walk around Lago di Misurina is an easy, mostly flat option that takes less than an hour and gives you beautiful mountain views and it doesn't require a parking reservation.
This would be a great option after a big hiking day. Or on a day when the weather isn't cooperating at higher elevations. Or if you're traveling with someone who would rather take a scenic walk than climb a mountain.
And honestly, those slower days can be some of my favorite travel days.
Grab a coffee. Walk around the lake. Take some pictures. Sit and look at the mountains. You don't always need to conquer something to have experienced it.
Do You Need Hiking Poles for Tre Cime?
There are a few hikes in the Dolomites that have steep trails with loose gravel making them quite slippery even in the best hiking shoes. This is one of them. I'd recommend trekking poles if you have them. We didn't have them, but there were a few parts where I wish we did.
These are the collapsible trekking poles we have for our next hiking adventure. They are small enough to fit into a carry on suitcase. These are a less expensive version.
And don't forget layers, sunscreen, water {lots of water! there weren't a lot of refill stations}, and snacks.
So, Is Tre Cime Worth the Planning?
Absolutely. It was one of the most beautiful hikes we did while we were in the Dolomites. I will also say, that this was one of the more crowded trails we hiked, and many of the hikers lacked basic trail etiquette. We also stopped at two of the rifugios for food and drinks and they were some of the worst experiences that we had on our whole trip because of overworked and very short tempered servers.
All that to say, if this was THE ONLY hike we would have done in the Dolomites, it wouldn't have left the best impression on me. The views though...the views were incredible.
As for planning, I think the trick is understanding the logistics before you go.
If you want to drive to Rifugio Auronzo, reserve your parking in advance.
Don't assume you can show up and pay. Make sure your license plate information is correct. Save your confirmation. And have a backup plan if necessary.
Because even if you can't get a parking reservation, that doesn't mean your Tre Cime experience is over.
You can hike in from lower trailheads. You can approach from Val Fiscalina or Lago di Landro. You can explore Cadini di Misurina. You can walk around Lago di Misurina.
Or you can simply save Tre Cime for another day.
That's one of the things I love most about traveling in the Dolomites. There isn't just one way to experience the mountains.
And while Tre Cime may be one of the most photographed places in the Dolomites, the best part isn't necessarily getting the photo.
It's walking beneath those enormous limestone peaks, watching the landscape change as you climb, stopping at a rifugio for something to eat, and realizing that you've spent the day in a place that looks almost too beautiful to be real.
Just remember to reserve the parking before you go if you're driving.
Your future self will thank you.
Don't miss this post: Where to Stay in the Dolomites: Three Incredible Home Bases for Hiking and Exploring
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