Three Peaks of Lavaredo circuit

In the heart of the Dolomites of Sesto, the world-famous Three Peaks of Lavaredo tower high, at the feet of which the much-visited rifugio Locatelli mountain hut invites you to stop for a break. The Locatelli at the Three Peaks of Lavaredo mountain hut can be reached by several routes. However, the quickest and easiest way to reach it is via the Auronzo mountain hut in Misurina.

Route description Locatelli mountain hut from Auronzo mountain hut

The starting point of this comfortable and at the same time extremely rewarding circular hike around the world-famous Three Peaks of Lavaredo is the spacious hikers' parking lot near the Auronzo mountain hut, which can be reached via the village of Misurina, situated between Dobbiaco and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Near the Auronzo mountain hut, hiking trail no. 101 begins, leading first to the Lavaredo mountain hut at an altitude of 2,344 meters.

From the inviting hut you can either hike up to the feet of the forcella Lavaredo or on the gravel path branching off to the right, which is somewhat longer but more comfortable, to the forcella Lavaredo at 2,454 m above sea level.

Once at the top, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the majestic Three Peaks of Lavaredo, the imposing Monte Paterno and the entire Three Peaks plateau.

Then hiking trail no . 101 winds gently up and down to the Locatelli mountain hut, which receives up to 2,000 visitors daily during the summer months.

From the moutain hut, follow hiking trail no. 105 in the direction of the Langalm mountain hut. It leads down to the Rienzboden, where several rivulets join to form the Rienza river.

From there the path winds its way up in a gentle ascent to the comfortable Langalm mountain hut at 2,283 m above sea level. As before, following the marking no. 105, you then hike up to the western edge of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo to the forcella Col de Medo.

From here it takes about 20 minutes to return to the car park at the Auronzo mountain hut.

Auronzo mountain hut approach

The starting point of this hike can be easily reached by car: at Dobbiaco take the state road 51 through the Val di Landro valley. Just after the Lago di Landro lake, in Carbonin, the road to Misurina branches off to the left. Near Misurina, follow the toll road in the direction of Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Alternative ascent routes to the Rifugio delle Tre Cime di Lavaredo mountain hut

The Three Peaks of Lavaredo mountain hut (Locatelli mountain hut) can also be reached from the Val Fiscalina valley, from the Pian di Cengia mountain hut, from the Innerfeld valley or from the Rienza valley.

Detail of Auronzo mountain hut

Many of today's hiking trails were created during the first world war as supply routes. Among them is also the one from the Auronzo mountain hut to the forcella Lavaredo.

Sepp Innerkofler, from tourism pioneer, mountain hut host and legendary mountaineer to celebrated war hero

When the initially neutral Italy declared war on the Habsburg monarchy in May 1915 and threatened to advance through the Dolomites, Tyrol seemed to be almost defenseless in the face of this attack. The majority of the men fit for military service had gone to fight on the eastern Front. Especially in dreamy Sesto, there were supposedly more tourists than able-bodied men.

Thus, the mostly old or young and inexperienced Standschützen, together with some troops of the german corps, were the last contingent to be sent to war against the former ally. Among the first was also the host of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo mountain hut, Sepp Innerkofler.

As an experienced mountain guide and one of the best mountaineers of his generation, who had already made a name for himself with numerous daring first ascents, he was very familiar with the local mountain world.

For this reason he led the "flying patrol" , consisting of a few men, which climbed the peaks of the Dolomites of Sesto. Once at the top, they lit fires or fired a few shots in order to feign occupation and bring about the italian retreat - with success: the contingent, which was only a few men strong, managed to hold the front line thanks to this clever move.

However, when Innerkofler suggested occupying the Monte Paterno, he was initially met with rejection by his superiors. Only when the Italians had captured this strategically important summit did they realize that it would have secured them control of the whole area.

After Innerkofler died in a daring attempt to recapture the Monte Paterno on July 4, 1915, the italian soldiers buried his lifeless body at the summit of the Monte Paterno.

At the request of his relatives, he was exhumed three years later and buried in the cemetery of Sesto.

Infos Three Peaks of Lavaredo circuit

• Duration:03:00 h
• Length:10.1 km
• Height gain:375 m

• Min. elevation:2170 m
• Max. elevation:2450 m

30.05.2023