How to Get to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo: Toll Road, Shuttle 444, Bus or On Foot
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo — the Drei Zinnen in German — are three towering rock peaks in the Dolomites, and one of the most recognisable mountain sights in Europe. Most visitors start their walk around them from Rifugio Auronzo, a mountain hut at 2,333 metres reached by a toll road. But the road is not the only way up, and since access became bookable, it pays to know all the options before you set off.
This guide covers the toll road and its 2026 prices, the shuttle bus from Dobbiaco, public buses, cycling, the walking approaches from the valleys, and the day trips from Venice — and helps you choose between them.
The starting point: Rifugio Auronzo
Almost every visit to the Tre Cime starts at Rifugio Auronzo, at 2,333 m, on the southern side of the peaks. It has a large car park, and it is the start of the famous loop walk around the three towers. From here, the peaks rise directly above you.
The highest of the three, the Cima Grande in the middle, is 2,999 m high.
What you see when you arrive
Stepping out at Rifugio Auronzo is one of the great arrivals in the Alps. You are already high, at 2,333 metres, and the three towers rise straight above you: the Cima Grande in the middle at 2,999 metres, flanked by its two companions. From this southern side, the peaks look close and massive; the famous view of the three sheer north faces side by side comes later, on the far side of the loop.
Around the hut, the ground is open and rocky, with views across the surrounding Dolomites. It is a place to pause, get your bearings, check the weather and, on a busy day, set off on the loop before the crowds build.
By car: the toll road
The road
A scenic asphalt road of about 6 kilometres leads up to Rifugio Auronzo. It starts near Lago d’Antorno, in the municipality of Auronzo di Cadore, and climbs to the hut and its car park.
Booking
The road is open with compulsory booking: parking and the toll are booked online in advance. Do not simply turn up and expect to drive up — reserve your slot before you travel.
The 2026 prices
| Vehicle | 2026 toll |
|---|---|
| Car | €40 |
| Motorcycle | €26 |
| Bus with up to 30 seats | €80 |
| Vehicles of Auronzo di Cadore residents | €5 |
The season
The road is open only in summer and early autumn — usually from late May to late October, weather permitting — and the exact dates vary each year with the weather.
Tips for driving up
- Book first, then plan the rest. Your slot is the fixed point of the day.
- Arrive early in the high season; the start of the day is the calmest time on the road and at the hut.
- Drive carefully. The road is narrow in places and busy with cyclists and walkers.
By shuttle: line 444 from Dobbiaco
The shuttle is the alternative to the toll road, and it avoids both the driving and the parking.
- Route: from Dobbiaco (Toblach) to Rifugio Auronzo.
- Dates: 31 May to 11 October 2026.
- Booking: the shuttle must be booked and paid online for the whole period.
Shuttle fares 2026
| Return | One way | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | €22 | €16 |
| Juniors aged 6–13 | €12 | €8 |
| Children under 6 | Free | Free |
| Dogs | €12 | €8 |
Fares are higher if bought on the bus or at the stop, so book online. Bookings can be cancelled free up to 72 hours before departure.
Why take the shuttle
The shuttle is the relaxing choice: no toll, no parking to worry about, and the view to enjoy on the way up. It is also the natural choice if you are staying in the Val Pusteria (Hochpustertal) around Dobbiaco.
By public bus
Dolomitibus runs public buses up to Rifugio Auronzo, which is useful if you are staying on the Cortina or Misurina side. Check the current timetable, as services are seasonal.
By bicycle
Cyclists can ride the road free of charge. The climb from Lago d’Antorno to Rifugio Auronzo is a serious effort, but it is a classic ride, and arriving at the hut under your own power is a fine way to start the day.
On foot from the valleys
You do not have to start at Rifugio Auronzo. In summer, several paths approach the Tre Cime from the valleys, and they give you the peaks without any vehicle at all. The local tourist board gives these times:
| From | Path | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rifugio Auronzo | 101 | 1½ hours |
| The full loop from Rifugio Auronzo | 101 and 105 | 4 hours |
| Sesto (Val Fiscalina) | 102 | 3½ hours |
| Val Campo di Dentro | 105 | 4½ hours |
| Landro – Vista Tre Cime | 102 | 3½ hours |
The walking approaches are longer and harder than starting at the hut, but they are free, unlimited and beautiful, and they give you the peaks as the mountaineers of the past first saw them.
Day trips from Venice
If you are staying in Venice and want to see the Tre Cime without a car, guided day trips do it for you.
Dolomites, Lake Braies and the Tre Cime from Venice. A day trip from Venice to Lake Braies, free time in Cortina d’Ampezzo and photo stops for the Tre Cime, in about 9 hours.
Misurina, Cortina and the lakes from Venice. A small-group day by minivan — eight guests at most — from Venice to Cortina and the lakes of Misurina, Antorno and Auronzo, with viewpoint stops for the Tre Cime, in about 10 hours.
These tours show you the peaks from viewpoints and the lakes around them; they do not walk the loop. For the walk, see our guide to the Tre Cime loop.
Guided walks from Misurina
Two guided options start at Misurina and include the transfer to the hut:
- Guided loop walk around the Tre Cime: a 10 km loop with about 400 m of ascent from the Auronzo hut, via Forcella Lavaredo and the Locatelli hut, in about 5 hours. The toll-road transfer from Misurina is included.
- Small-group hike from Misurina: a transfer from Misurina to the Auronzo hut, then a hike past the south and north faces of the peaks, four walkers at most, in about 5 hours.
The tours page lists them with live prices.
A little history
The Tre Cime have drawn climbers for more than a century and a half. The Cima Grande was first climbed on 21 August 1869 by Paul Grohmann with the guides Franz Innerkofler and Peter Salcher, and the three towers became some of the most famous climbing walls in the Alps.
The area also carries the marks of harder times. During the First World War the front line ran through these mountains, and walkers on the loop still pass remains from that period; the guided walks from Misurina cover this history along the way. Knowing it adds depth to a walk that most people come to for the scenery alone.
Photographs on the way up
- From the toll road, the peaks appear above the bends as you climb from Lago d’Antorno.
- From Rifugio Auronzo, the southern faces tower directly above the car park.
- From the loop, the classic view of the three north faces opens up beyond Forcella Lavaredo.
- From Lake Misurina and the lakes around it, the day trips from Venice stop for views of the peaks above the water.
Toll road or shuttle?
Both get you to the same place; the choice depends on how you are travelling.
The toll road gives you flexibility. You arrive when you want, leave when you want, and can carry whatever you need in the car. The costs are the toll — €40 for a car in 2026 — and the booking, plus the drive up the narrow road on a busy day. It suits families with gear, visitors combining the Tre Cime with other stops the same day, and anyone staying on the Auronzo or Misurina side.
The shuttle gives you calm. No toll to pay at the barrier, no parking to find, no driving on mountain roads. Adults pay €22 return, juniors €12 and children under 6 travel free. For one person that is less than the €40 car toll; for two adults or more, the car toll can work out cheaper, but the shuttle spares you the driving and the parking. It suits anyone staying around Dobbiaco and the Val Pusteria, and anyone who would rather look at the mountains than the road.
If you are torn, a good rule is: shuttle if you are staying on the Dobbiaco side, car if you are staying on the Auronzo or Misurina side.
A sample day by shuttle
- Morning: catch shuttle 444 from Dobbiaco (booked online in advance).
- Mid-morning: arrive at Rifugio Auronzo and set off on the loop, following paths 101 and 105.
- Midday: lunch at a hut on the way.
- Afternoon: finish the loop back at Rifugio Auronzo; the tourist board allows 4 hours for the full circuit.
- Late afternoon: the shuttle back down to Dobbiaco.
A sample day by car
- Early morning: drive to Lago d’Antorno and up the 6 km toll road at your booked time.
- Morning: park at Rifugio Auronzo and walk the loop.
- Afternoon: drive back down and visit Lake Misurina nearby, or continue to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
With children
The Tre Cime are a wonderful family destination, because the start is already high and the loop is well marked.
- The shuttle makes arrival easy, and children under 6 travel free; juniors aged 6 to 13 pay €12 return.
- Short walks from Rifugio Auronzo along path 101 give young children a taste of the peaks without the full loop.
- The full loop suits older children who are used to walking; allow plenty of time for breaks.
- Dress warmly. At 2,333 metres and above, it can be cold and windy even in summer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Turning up without a booking. The road requires advance booking of parking and the toll.
- Buying the shuttle ticket on the bus. Fares are higher on board or at the stop than online.
- Visiting out of season. The road and the shuttle run only in summer and early autumn.
- Underestimating the altitude. The start is already at 2,333 metres; weather changes quickly.
- Leaving too late in the day. Arrive early in high season for a calmer road, car park and trail.
- Confusing a viewpoint tour with a walk. The day trips from Venice stop at viewpoints; they do not walk the loop.
Reaching the start points
The toll road starts near Lago d’Antorno in the municipality of Auronzo di Cadore, on the southern side of the peaks, close to Lake Misurina. The shuttle starts in Dobbiaco, in the Val Pusteria to the north. The walking routes begin in the valleys around Sesto (Val Fiscalina), Landro and Val Campo di Dentro.
Which one is closest depends on where you are staying: Cortina and Misurina are on the southern side, near the toll road; Dobbiaco and Sesto are on the northern side, near the shuttle and the walking routes. Plan your base with the start point in mind.
What to bring
- Warm, windproof layers. The start is at 2,333 metres, and the weather can change fast.
- Walking shoes or boots with a good grip for the loop.
- Water and a snack, although huts on the loop serve food.
- Sun protection. There is little shade at this altitude.
- Your booking confirmation for the toll road or the shuttle.
Which option to choose
- You have a car and want flexibility: the toll road, booked in advance (€40 for a car in 2026).
- You want to avoid driving and parking: shuttle line 444 from Dobbiaco (€22 return for adults, booked online).
- You are staying near Cortina or Misurina: Dolomitibus or a guided walk from Misurina.
- You are fit and want the classic ride: cycle up — it is free.
- You want a full mountain day: walk in from Sesto, Landro or Val Campo di Dentro.
- You are based in Venice: a guided day trip.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to book the road to the Tre Cime?
Yes. The toll road to Rifugio Auronzo is open with compulsory booking; parking and the toll are booked online in advance.
How much is the toll to the Tre Cime in 2026?
€40 for a car, €26 for a motorcycle and €80 for a bus with up to 30 seats.
Is there a bus to the Tre Cime?
Yes. Shuttle line 444 runs from Dobbiaco to Rifugio Auronzo from 31 May to 11 October 2026 (€22 return for adults, booked online), and Dolomitibus runs public buses up to the hut.
When is the Tre Cime road open?
Usually from late May to late October, weather permitting; the dates vary each year.
Can I walk to the Tre Cime without the toll road?
Yes. Paths lead up from Sesto (Val Fiscalina), Landro and Val Campo di Dentro, taking 3½ to 4½ hours, and cyclists can ride the road free of charge.
Can I cancel my shuttle booking?
Yes. Bookings for shuttle line 444 can be cancelled free of charge up to 72 hours before departure.
How far is Rifugio Auronzo from Lago d’Antorno?
The toll road from near Lago d’Antorno to Rifugio Auronzo is about 6 kilometres long.
Is the shuttle cheaper than driving?
For one person, yes: €22 return against the €40 car toll. For two adults or more, the car toll can be cheaper, but the shuttle avoids driving the road and finding a parking space.
Where should I stay for the Tre Cime?
On the southern side — around Misurina, Auronzo di Cadore or Cortina — for the toll road and Dolomitibus; on the northern side — around Dobbiaco or Sesto — for shuttle 444 and the walking routes from the valleys.
Can I see the Tre Cime on a day trip from Venice?
Yes. Guided day trips from Venice take 9 to 10 hours and include viewpoint stops for the Tre Cime, with Lake Braies or the lakes around Misurina and time in Cortina. They do not walk the loop.