For those who can solely go to one place within the Dolomites, make it Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Of all of the locations we noticed on our Dolomites 3 day street journey, that is the one which utterly took our breath away (which is spectacular, given the Dolomites are AMAZING at just about each location.)
Visiting Tre Cime di Lavaredo is straightforward sufficient, however with a purpose to take advantage of your go to, there are some things you want to know earlier than you go.
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What’s Tre Cime?
‘Tre Cime’ means 3 peaks- so ‘3 Cime di Lavaredo’ means the three peaks of Lavaredo. However don’t be confused- the three peaks are all at one place- not 3 separate mountain peaks.
Tre Cime has 3 distinct ‘finger’ of rock overlooking a number of lovely valleys. Individuals go to for the views, to hike the Tre Cime loop and to remain in a single day in some of the breathtaking elements of the world.
The three peaks (also called the Drei Zinnen) are referred to as:
- Cima Grande (2999m above sea degree)- center peak
- Cima Occidentale (2973m)
- Cima Piccola (2857m)
In 2009, they had been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage web site, together with the remainder of the Dolomites. The three peaks are sometimes used as a canopy picture for the Dolomites and 1000’s of individuals go to right here annually to hike, climb, {photograph} and admire.
The place is Tre Cime di Lavaredo?
Tre Cime di Lavaredo is in North-east Italy- north of the Italian lakes. Or it’s within the South-East Alps, simply over the border from Austria (actually, about half-hour from the border.)
There’s just one street out and in! That street is the Strada Panoramica delle Tre Cime- we’ll get to that shortly.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Map
How do you pronounce ‘Tre Cime’?
For those who watch the video under, you possibly can see me attempting arduous to pronounce this… and failing. A sort Italian man at Rifugio Auronzo (the hostel and restaurant on the prime) advised me it was pronounced ‘Tray Cheeemie’. Or one thing shut. Saying it with an exaggerated Italian accent helps…
Watch the Video of us visiting Tre Cime di Lavaredo
See us drive up the Strada Panoramica delle Tre Cime in CLOUD, after which watch because the clouds clear away…
The way to attain Tre Cime di Lavaredo
By automobile
Head to Lake Misurina, go north on the SP49, then head proper onto the street the place signposted. That is the Strada Panoramica delle Tre Cime. It’s effectively signposted, so you possibly can’t miss it.
There are different roads to different rifugios (huts) close to Tre Cime- however none which can mean you can drive all the way in which as much as Tre Cime peaks- you’d need to park after which stroll 2-3 hours to peak the three peaks. Nevertheless, these different roads aren’t paid, so it’s a less expensive solution to hike the Tre Cime loop if you want.
For those who’re driving the Nice Dolomites Street, Tre Cime is about half-hour north of Cortina, or about 40 minutes from Lake di Braies.
By bus
If you’re staying round Lake Misurina, you possibly can catch a bus as much as the highest of Tre Cime. Clearly, timetables and availability will change, so please do verify earlier than you journey.
That is one of many closest inns to Tre Cime– the views are SPECTACULAR!
How a lot does it value to drive up Tre Cime di Lavaredo?
Automotive- 30€ for twenty-four hours
Campervan/ Motorhome- 45€/ for first 24 hours, then 25€ for every subsequent 24 hours.
Sure, it’s expensive- particularly for parking with none services in any respect. However these views and hikes are price it- particularly should you’re going to remain in a single day.
How lengthy does it take to drive up Strada Panoramica Delle Tre Cime?
The Strada Panoramica delle Tre Cime is 7km lengthy and climbs about 600 metres- the automobile park on the prime is at 2333m, in comparison with Lake Misurina at 1760m.
The ultimate 4km of the street climbs 477m- which is INCREDIBLY steep. There’s a cause this street is often featured on the Giro d’Italia!
The entire street, from Lake Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo, together with the quick cease on the toll sales space, took us about 45 minutes to drive- in line with the occasions on my digicam.
Drive slowly- we struggled to get out of first gear. While you’re descending, concentrate on your brakes overheating and provides precedence to anybody developing the mountain- they’ll wrestle extra in the event that they need to cease!
Is there parking on the prime of Tre Cime?
Yep. Loads of parking on the prime for automobiles, campers, motorhomes and buses. Please don’t park in a bus space. For those who’re planning to go to in excessive season (July & August), I’d counsel arriving early to make sure you get a spot- apparently it will get VERY crowded.
There are additionally LOADS of laybys and parking areas on the way in which up (or down) which you could possibly use if the highest is full.
If you’re planning to go to round June time, verify the dates and route of the Giro d’Italia. They often cycle(!) up Tre Cime and also you may discover the route closed then.
Are you able to keep in a single day at Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Completely! That’s among the finest bits. Whether or not you’re in a automobile, campervan or motorhome, ensure you plan to remain in a single day on the prime of Tre Cime di Lavaredo- you received’t remorse it! (For those who’re staying in October, you’ll want heating- it was COLD up there.)
There are NO services aside from bogs on the prime (and a restaurant which is open throughout daytime hours)- so don’t anticipate electrical hookup or freshwater. You might want to be self-sufficient. It’s basically wild tenting... which you’ve paid for.
Parking for motorhomes and campervans close to Tre Cime Dolomites
For those who don’t need to keep on the prime of Tre Cime (bear in mind, your ticket is for twenty-four hours so that you get an evening’s keep included), there’s an aire on the backside the place you possibly can keep in a single day (or pay simply to make use of its services). There are additionally a number of campsites close by if you want, though none in strolling distance.
What’s there to do in Tre Cime Dolomites Nationwide Park?
Hike. Take photographs. Go searching in marvel.
Repeat.
Tre Cime is all about outside adventures. The well-known Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop will take you about 3.5 hours, relying on how typically you cease for photographs or refreshments. There are many completely different walks and routes at Tre Cime- we suggest this guide to point out you the perfect ones.
For those who don’t need to (or are unable to) hike, you possibly can simply drive up to take a look at the view after which return. Or drive up in a motorhome and keep in a single day! You pay the identical worth irrespective of what- the way you spend your time up there’s fully as much as you.
Rifugio Auronzo (the hut)
On the prime of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, subsequent to the automobile park, is a big white hut. That is Rifugio Auronzo. There are a number of rifugio’s alongside the Tre Cime mountaineering route, all providing drinks and snacks to hikers. Auronzo is likely one of the most well-known, and likewise acts because the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hotel- there are a number of rooms out there to guide in a single day.
Rifugio Auronzo reserving
For extra details about Rifugio Auronzo, or to guide an in a single day keep, contact them right here.
Rifugio Auronzo parking
The parking for Rifugio Auronzo is similar because the Tre Cime automobile park. Parking is included within the entrance payment.
Our expertise of visiting Tre Cime di Lavaredo in October
We arrived on the backside of Tre Cime on a cloudy day… and thought nothing of it. Just about as quickly as you flip onto the street simply north of Lake Misurina, you begin climbing.
And climbing.
And climbing.
Sure- that is all earlier than you attain the toll sales space. What we hadn’t thought of was that the cloud was really throughout the mountain, utterly obscuring Tre Cime. As we climbed increased, we ended up driving up into the cloud.
It was eerie and kinda fun- however we didn’t see ANY of these unbelievable views. If it’s cloudy on the day you intend to go to Tre Cime, both change your plans or don’t bother- it was pointless within the cloud. Fortunately, the forecast was set to enhance, so we stayed up there in our motorhome.
If you’re planning to hike or climb on Tre Cime, please concentrate on the weather- it might change rapidly and the cloud is available in VERY quick with out warning. It occurred twice whereas we had been up there and visibility will get decreased to virtually zero. Be cautious and thoughtful to the climate because it’s altering.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo winter
Tre Cime is closed from the top of October till the top of Could. If there was snowfall (which may occur anytime from mid-October), the street shall be closed early.
We visited in October and we extremely suggest that point of 12 months for exploring the Dolomites. Listed here are another nice options for locations to go to in Europe in October.
Tre Cime Altitude Illness
Whereas we had been up Tre Cime, I suffered from an altitude headache- which was disagreeable. Given how typically we’ve visited the Alps in our Motorhome, it’s the primary time this has ever occurred. It didn’t even occur after we went up Mont Blanc’s cable automobile!!
Altitude complications usually begin at over 3000m above sea level- Tre Cime paking space is barely at 2333m. The complications are brought on whenever you ascend greater than 300m in a day- we did 600m in lower than an hour!
It didn’t begin straight away- first signs occurred about 8 hours after we arrived on the prime automobile park. I awakened throughout the first night time with my sinuses on hearth. Apparently, in line with Google, that is attributable to climbing too excessive, too quick and our our bodies not having sufficient time to regulate.
The signs had been relieved a bit of by sitting extra upright and taking a few ibuprofen. Additionally, consuming water appeared to assist.
One other symptom is each of us felt very breathless whereas strolling. Neither of us are uber-fit, however we’re not sofa potatoes both and we felt we had been far more out-of-breath than regular. Attention-grabbing how altitude impacts us all in numerous methods.
So, my (non-medical) recommendation is that this: Go up Tre Cime and if the climate is obvious, do the Tre Cime Loop that day, earlier than your physique has an opportunity to understand what’s occurred!
Then, be ready throughout the night. Drink LOTS of water (we didn’t) and presumably take a few Nurofen.
Tre Cime- remaining ideas
Regardless of the headache, Tre Cime was certainly one of our favorite locations within the Dolomites. I believe arriving within the cloud made it much more spectacular when the views lastly confirmed themselves, but it surely’s some of the superb locations we’ve ever visited with our motorhome.
For those who get the possibility, add Tre Cime to your Dolomites itinerary. We’re very glad we did!
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