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Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint Hike

This round-trip hike from Rifugio Auronzo leads to one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Dolomites. It features a narrow rocky spur that faces the Cadini di Misurina cirque, which is composed of towers and slender needles.

This short, easy route offers the added bonus of a panoramic view of the south face of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The downside is that the site has become a major tourist attraction, so you often have to wait several minutes in a single-file line to take the classic photo at the viewpoint.

Remarks

Parking: Starting in 2025, online reservations are required via the official auronzo.info website. Indicative rates in 2025 are €40 per car, €26 per motorcycle, and €60 per motorhome and are valid for 12 hours. The best time slots sell out several weeks in advance during peak season.

Bus alternative: Shuttles run from Cortina d'Ampezzo, Misurina, and Dobbiaco to Rifugio Auronzo from early June to mid-October approximately. Online booking is recommended.

Planning your trip: This is an ideal addition to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop or the Innerkofler–Monte Paterno via ferrata since the starting point is the same. To minimize wait times at the viewpoint, plan to arrive very early (before 7:00 a.m.) or late in the afternoon.

Description and difficulties of the hike

From Rifugio Auronzo (2,330 m), take trail no. 117 toward Rifugio Fonda Savio. It starts opposite the trail leading to the Tre Cime and descends gently toward the Forcella Longères saddle. The wide, well-defined path then climbs slightly along a grassy, then rocky, ridge heading southeast.

After about a kilometer, the trail splits. The left fork runs along the edge of the cliff and offers a more aerial view of the cirque. The right fork, set further back, rejoins the left fork just before the final promontory.

The final spur is narrow and sloping, and its tip has rocky ground intertwined with roots—a fall would be unforgiving. Only a few people can comfortably stand there at a time, hence the almost systematic queue. While the hike presents no technical difficulty, the edge of the viewpoint should be avoided in wet or windy weather, and it is not recommended for those with a fear of heights.

What you'll love

The exceptional panorama of the Cadini di Misurina cirque.
The unbeatable effort-to-reward ratio: 1 h 15 of easy walking for one of the most iconic views of the massif.