Best backpacking trails in Parco Naturale Tre Cime di Levaredo, South Tyrol, Italy

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (English: Three Peaks of Lavaredo; German: Drei Zinnen) are three distinctly rocky peaks that tower into the sky in the Sexten Dolomites of Italy. This mountain group is widely known and so the best time to visit is during the off season, either in the fall when the region calms down after a busy summer, or in spring/early summer when wildflowers are in bloom and the crowds of eager hikers have not yet arrived. The iconic jagged peaks are composed of layered limestone. The surrounding area features high alpine meadows, sweeping landscapes, dotted lakes, and well-marked pathways. In east to west order, the peak names are: Cima Piccola (English: Little Peak; German: Kleine Zinne) Cima Grande (English: Big Peak; German: Große Zinne) Cima Ovest (English: Western Peak; German: Westliche Zinne). This route begins at Rifugio Auronzo and heads north to Rifugio Lavaredo and finally Rifugio Locatelli, circling back around and forming a loop that passes Col Forcellina on the way back. You can drive a car there (with a fee to park) or catch a bus from nearby Cortina d’Ampezzo or Dobbiaco. Don’t forget water, but also know you can stop for a drink or a bite to eat at any of the rifugios along the way.Show more

An absolutely beautiful and challenging hike! It can be done in one day or combined with a stay in one of the Refuges to make it an easier hike. This route is great because you can see the three peaks but also other surroundings which are much less crowded than the three peaks circuit. This path starts from Val Fiscalina | Fischleinbachtal.Show more

This is the third section of Alta Via 4. This trail leaves from Rifugio Locatelli. There is a lake at the base of Tre Cime. To view other sections of the trail, check out the Alta Via 4 list here https://www.alltrails.com/lists/alta-via-4.Show more

This is the first section of the Alta Via 4. It starts out in San Candido. To reach the trailhead, you can catch a bus from town or walk south down the road (SS52) out of town south. The trail will be on the left side of the road following the river. To view other sections of the trail, check out the Alta Via 4list here: https://www.alltrails.com/lists/alta-via-4Show more

This is the second section of the Alta Via 4. It starts out from Rifugio Tre Scarperi. This is a popular day hike with locals and tourists so expect many other hikers along the way.This trail follows into the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a beautiful scenic area of the Dolomites. To view other sections of the trail, check out the Alta Via 4 list here: https://www.alltrails.com/lists/alta-via-4Show more

During the First World War, the area around Monte Paterno was the subject of fierce fighting. Here, in fact, was the border between Austria and Italy. Numerous walkways and tunnels still recall the war events today. The equipped path De Luca-Innerkofler, built during the First World War, is one of the routes that go up to Monte Paterno. It was built to build positions as high as possible to dominate the valley and to guarantee supplies. The route is an aided path, therefore a cross between an excursion and a via ferrata, very exciting and suggestive. We start from the Auronzo Refuge along path n. 101, which runs along the southern side of the Tre Cime and passes close to the Lavaredo Refuge, and you reach the Locatelli Refuge, ideal for a lunch break. Looking at the Tre Cime, to the left of the refuge you will notice a pillar rock, called 'sausage'. This rock pinnacle shows you the path to take for the start of the aided route. Going up the northern crest of the Paterno you will find the indications for the 'Galleria del Paterno'. After a first short tunnel comes the second, 300 meters long, which leads you inside the rock (it is freezing even in summer!) In total darkness. Therefore you need a heavy shirt and a flashlight, or better still a helmet headlamp. After the long stretch in the tunnel, the climb continues secured by a metal cable to the Forcella del Camoscio (2,650 m). We arrived at the Forcella del Camoscio, from here opens a fantastic view, a beautiful alpine and wild landscape. A good place to take a break. At this point you have to decide whether to climb up to the summit cross of Monte Paterno (just 100 meters higher), or to continue the path towards the Forcella Passaporto which, once passed, takes us back to road 101 which finally returns to the Auronzo refuge. It depends on how tired you are and how much time you still have available. If you reach the top of Monte Paterno, the view of the surrounding mountains really takes your breath away: in addition to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, you can admire the Sesto Dolomites and numerous other imposing rocky conformations. If you have climbed to the top, retrace your steps to the Forcella del Camoscio (from here to the Auronzo refuge you need about 2 and a half hours of peaceful walking). We continue. From the saddle, go down along a stony ground, follow the clearly visible path that leads us to a ledge, partly hollowed out in the rock, which leads, along an old war path, to the Forcella Passaporto. This stretch of the path is partly secured with ropes but is very easy even if exposed. When you arrive at the Forcella Passaporto the wonderful and wide view that appears there is satisfying and moving ... you will gladly stop to admire the beauty of the landscape: on the left the beautiful shape of the Croda Passaporto, then the jagged Cadini di Misurina, in the center the imposing and iconic towers of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, while on the right, a little in the distance, there is the Croda Rossa (that of Cortina, because there is also the Croda Rossa di Sesto). From the Forcella Lavaredo go down to return to the Auronzo Refuge, immediately behind the Tre Cime. Joseph 'Sepp' Innerkofler was a mountaineer and manager of the refuge now called Locatelli, but he was also an Austrian soldier who became famous as a mountain guide. With the outbreak of the Great War, despite his advanced age, he enlisted as a volunteer. He fell during a daring action at the top of Monte Paterno, hit by a stone thrown by the Italian soldier De Luca. In the following days the body was recovered and buried with honor on the summit by the Italian Alpine troops. This path, along with many others, is included in my photobook: "My beloved Dolomites ... how to best live them" Description: ... in search of beauty and the best emotions. It is not meant to be a classic guide, but a selection of the best to see and experience. I illustrate the idea of a journey by providing it with meaningful images. I want to stimulate in you that same passion that I live by going to the mountains. - - - book paper version (22x28cm 172 pages): https://it.blurb.com/b/10064174-le-mie-amate-dolomiti - - -book PDF version: https://gum.co/vjwIJShow more

Leaving from Dobbiaco in the direction of Cortina, cross the road and immediately find the signpost number 9. The path in the woods rises rapidly towards Lake Malga di Mezzo. From the lake you can see the path that climbs steeply along the scree to the Forcella del Lago. From the fork take the path to the left to go up towards the Croda dei Baranci. The initial part of this path is exposed, even if it is equipped with a cord, it also includes a very short but easy climb in a crack in the rock. The path continues following the crest of the Cima Piatta Alta to the top. To get to the Croda dei Baranci, you have to pass a small saddle and then continue on the ridge up to the cross. In some places there are lines. This last section is particularly exposed and requires the utmost attention. To descend from the top, follow the path up to the Forcella del Lago, from here descend towards the Val Campo Di Dentro and the Tre Scarperi refuge.Show more