An alternative to Tre Crime hike in Dolomites: Cadini di Misurina hike with a unique viewpoint

The hiking trail to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint is not as popular as the famous Tre Crime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) hike in Dolomites, but it only works to its advantage. Firstly, the views along the way and the famous viewpoint are great. Secondly, they can be admired without the crowds. This place is one of the pearls of the Dolomites, and it is worth paying attention to it. You will not regret it! In this post, I will share with you information about how to get to the viewpoint, how to safely cross the entire trail, and what to do to experience the Dolomites from a slightly less touristic side.

Where exactly is Cadini Di Misurina located in the Dolomites

Cadini di Misurina is a mountain range in the provinces of Belluno and Veneto in the Italian Alps, and its highest peak is Cima Cadin di San Lucano at a stunning height of 2839 m above sea level. From the top, there is a view of Lake Misurina, one of the largest alpine lakes in the Dolomites.

Cadini di Misurina is located between Cortina d’Ampezzo, Auronzo di Cadore and Tre Cime di Lavaredo and is part of the Sesto group, which became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009.

The uniqueness of this trail is demonstrated by the great variety of landscapes and the austerity of the surrounding mountain range. However, this is not a place for people with altitude sickness or fear of heights because this hike leads along a narrow path that often meanders among the precipices. Brave seekers of views and wild adventure will be delighted!

Cadini di Misurina -details of the hike

  • Start point: Rifugio Auronzo
  • End point: Rifugio Auronzo
  • Tourist trail: .o. 117; leads to the Rifugio Col de Varda
  • Distance: the trail to Rifugio Col de Varda is about 9 km one way, but you reach the viewpoint after 2 km.
  • Time: the entire hike (including breaks for taking photos) takes approx. 2 hours.
  • Elevation differences: the total slope is about 112 m
  • Difficulty: moderate due to the slippery, gravel road that requires a certain attitude. If someone is afraid of heights, I do not recommend going to the viewpoint. There is a steep drop at both ends of the peak.

When is the best time to visit Cadini di Misurina

The best time for this hike is the end of June to mid-October. Suppose the weather is fine at the time, of course. It is not a place that is recommended to be wandered around on a rainy day. You never know if one of the stones has loosened due to heavy rainfall, which, if you slip, may end up falling into the ravine. You should definitely not climb to the top when the hiking trail is covered with snow. Due to the snow, you cannot see the actual ridge of the trail, so you don’t even know where you are stepping. As in other posts about the Dolomites, I highly recommend you to avoid tourist spots during the summer holidays. The trails are overloaded with tourists, and it is neither pleasant for us nor good for nature. October is a great month to visit the Dolomites.

How to reach the famous viewpoint during the Cadini di Misurina hike

The starting point for the hike to Cadini di Misurina and hike to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo is Rifugio Auronzo. The hike to Cadini di Misurina is one of the lesser-known hikes in the Dolomites, and therefore the trail is not as crowded as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

If you want to visit both places, you can do it in one day. It will be intense but possible. I recommend that you do Tre Cime di Lavaredo first and then Misurina because it is a perfect place to see the sunset

You can read more about Tre Crime di Lavaredo here: Tre Crime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) hike in Dolomites

How to get to Rifugio Auronzo

Rifugio Auronzo is at an altitude of 2320 m above sea level and is the main starting point for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail and the hike to Cadini di Misurina.

The rifugio (hut) can accommodate up to 104 people during the summer months but is closed as the season ends. If you are considering spending the night at Rifugio Auronzo, book your accommodation in advance as it fills up really fast.

There are three options to get to Rifugio Auronzo: you can hike from Antorno Lake, take a bus, or take a car. I have described these three options in detail below so that you can decide for yourself which is best for you. Personally, I recommend renting a car and going on a road trip in the Dolomites.

Rifugio Auronzo by car

The easiest way to get to Rifugio Auronzo is to take one of the most picturesque roads in the Dolomites. Just take the SS49 road, which goes straight through Tre Cime National Park towards the Missurina. From there, follow the Rifugio Auronzo sign.

The last section is a private road, and you have to pay 30 euros (for a passenger car) to go up. The toll collection point is open from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm. When I was in October 2021, I could only pay in cash.

The prices for motorbikes are 20 euros, and for large cars and campers, it is 45 euros. And yes, for an additional fee of 15 euros, you can spend the night with your camper in the parking lot by Rifugio Auronzo.

There are huge parking lots around the hut, so you will have no problem finding a parking space if you are there.

Rifugio Auronzo by bus

You can also take the buses from Dobbiaco, Missurina, or Cortina to the Auronzo hut during the summer months. Buses usually run from around 9.00 am and end at 5.30 pm. The two-bay bus trip costs 15 euros. It is also included in the price if you have a Südtirol pass. If you are staying in the Tre Cime National Park area, ask your hotel reception for the Südtirol Pass, as it is often included in the room price. The downside of this solution is the need to adapt to the bus timetable, so there is little chance of making two trails in one day, and you definitely won’t be able to stay for sunset on Cadini di Misurina. More information about bus schedules can be found HERE.

On foot from Lake Antorno to Rifugio Auronzo

Hiking from Lake Antorno to Rifugio Auronzo is a good option if you’re on a very tight budget. There is a parking lot near the lake where you can leave your car and go on a 1.5-hour hike to reach Rifugio Auronzo. However, keep in mind that this is a steep trail with an elevation of 500 m. Personally, I do not recommend it, because together with the section of Tre Cime and Cadini di Misurina it will be an absurdly long hike.

Epic hike to Cadini Di Misurina in the Dolomites

I went to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint at the beginning of October on a very sunny day. The best way to see the trail is to face Rifugio Auronzo in the parking lot and look for a trail on the small hill in front of you.

Upon reaching Rifugio Auronzo, most people follow trail 101, which runs on the right side of Rifugio Auronzo. This is the beginning of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop around the Tre Cime (three peaks). While tourists take the trail around Tre Cime, I headed in the opposite direction from Tre Cime.

From Rifugio Auronzo, you can already see Cadini di Misurina’s peaks, which is the direction you should go. Trail 117 will take you there. It is a 9.2 km (5.7 miles) trail that ends at the Rifugio Col de Varda.

The trail is marked with white and red marks on the stones and runs up and down several small hills. After a while, I went down to the path along the ridgeline. It is definitely not a stretch for people with a fear of heights because there is a precipice on one side. In the distance, you can already see the peak, and all you need to do now is follow the ridge towards it. It takes about an hour to get from the starting point.

The viewpoint is absolutely epic and can be seen from a distance. It is surrounded on all sides by the sharp peaks of the Dolomites. It is very impressive. To this small hill, which you can see in the pictures, you have to climb a narrow rocky path (there is room only for one person, so let the one in front of you get down first and ask others to wait their turn – not everyone in the mountains knows, how to behave to respect each other on the trail).

You need a suitable zoom lens to get the effect of mountains rising behind the summit in your photos, and the photographer must stand along the ridgeline. The experience of being at the foot of the world is remembered for a long time! For me, Cadini di Misurina is an excellent alternative to other, more popular trails because it allows you to really feel the mountain climate of the Dolomites.

Responsible trekking in Dolomites

The Dolomites are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, known for their “jagged” peaks and pristine natural environment. Still, in recent years they have become even more popular thanks to Instagram and other social media. This has led to the lousy behavior of tourists as well as the tangible effects of so-called over-tourism. It is a great privilege and honor to be able to admire the unusual, raw nature of the Dolomites. Since we had the opportunity to experience this place, let’s also make it possible for others to experience it intact. We will also have somewhere to return one day.

Therefore, even on short trips such as Tre Cime di Lavaredo, let’s remember a few key rules:

  1. Stick to paths, we respect fencing and signs.
  2. Follow the rules for the use of drones in the Dolomites and be careful. Flying over people in tourist places is very dangerous, but also irritating for others.
  3. Use a reusable water bottle.
  4. Trekking at the end of the season – Tre Cime di Lavaredo is very crowded at the peak of summer, so let’s plan a getaway out of season to not contribute to over-tourism and environmental degradation. It’s also a good idea to arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
  5. Let us respect the local environment and culture.
  6. This part of Italy, which borders South Tyrol and the municipality of Verona, has a unique and rich culture steeped in religious and historical importance. Historical battles of World War I took place around Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and their remains can be seen at every turn. Please respect these monuments and under no circumstances take anything from the national park.
  7. Don’t litter! Whatever we do, let’s not litter this pristine natural environment. Always take your trash off the trail and dispose of it in designated places. If you come across trash while hiking -take it with you. A small gesture on a global scale is of great importance.

The material was created in collaboration with South Tyrol Tourism Organization 

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Welcome on my blog about traveling, active lifestyle and chasing all the crazy dreams. I have been on 6 continents and in more than 100 countries so far, but I still have so much to explore :)

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Author picture

Welcome on my blog about traveling, active lifestyle and chasing all the crazy dreams. I have been on 6 continents and in more than 100 countries so far, but I still have so much to explore :)

< read more >