Rifugio Auronzo sits at the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the three great limestone towers that have become the symbol of the Dolomites and one of the most photographed mountain sights in the world. At 2,333 metres, this large mountain hut is the starting point for the famous circuit around the peaks, and staying overnight means you can watch the towers glow at sunset and sunrise, long after the day visitors have gone.
Rifugio Auronzo sits at the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the three great limestone towers that have become the symbol of the Dolomites and one of the most photographed mountain sights in the world. At 2,333 metres, this large mountain hut is the starting point for the famous circuit around the peaks, and staying overnight means you can watch the towers glow at sunset and sunrise, long after the day visitors have gone.
Location: Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites, Italy
The hut stands at Forcella Longeres, on the southern side of the Tre Cime, on the border between the Veneto and South Tyrol, within the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be reached on foot, or by a panoramic toll road that climbs from Lake Misurina, usually open from late May to October.
Cortina d'Ampezzo is around 40 minutes away by car, and Lago di Braies, also in our collection, about an hour. Venice airport is roughly two and a half hours away. From the terrace, the views take in the Cadini di Misurina and the Cristallo massif.
The Tre Cime themselves, Cima Grande, Cima Ovest and Cima Piccola, rise almost vertically from the surrounding scree, with the highest reaching just under 3,000 metres. Their north faces are among the most famous climbing walls in the Alps, and during the First World War the front line ran directly through these mountains, leaving tunnels, trenches and ruins still visible along the trails.
Rooms and suites at Rifugio Auronzo
The hut is managed directly by the Auronzo section of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and has 25 rooms with 99 beds in total, spread over three floors and extensively renovated in recent years. Rooms sleep two to three guests, while dormitories hold five or six, so it suits couples, families and groups alike.
Comfort is simple, as you would expect from a mountain hut, but it is warmer and more comfortable than many remote rifugi, thanks to road access. This is why it sits in our Affordable stays collection: a night here costs a fraction of a hotel in Cortina, and the setting is priceless.
Because the hut is large, it can feel busy during the day, when walkers stop for lunch and drinks. But by evening, once the day visitors have driven back down the toll road, the atmosphere changes completely: guests gather on the terrace, the light softens and the peaks take on their famous evening glow.
Facilities at Rifugio Auronzo
The self-service restaurant, with around 120 seats, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with hearty mountain dishes such as polenta, pasta, soups and strudel, and a bar for drinks after a day on the trails. The panoramic terrace, with around 40 seats, is the place to be at sunset.
There is a winter bivouac in the basement for mountaineers outside the season. Remember to bring your own toiletries and a sleeping bag liner, as is customary in Italian mountain huts, and check what is provided when booking.
The mountain moment
The defining experience is the circuit around the Tre Cime, an easy-to-moderate walk of about ten kilometres that takes three to four hours. From the hut, the trail leads past the Rifugio Lavaredo to the Forcella Lavaredo, where the famous north faces of the three towers suddenly appear, then on to the Rifugio Locatelli, with its classic view of the peaks.
But the real magic is staying overnight. As the sun sets, the towers glow orange and red against the darkening sky, and at dawn they light up again, often above a sea of cloud in the valleys below.
Why Rifugio Auronzo is one of the best mountain hotels
Rifugio Auronzo earns its place because it offers an affordable, authentic way to experience one of the most iconic mountain landscapes in Europe. It is busy during the day, with many visitors arriving by car, and rooms are basic. But for hikers, photographers and anyone who wants to see the Tre Cime at sunrise, staying here is unbeatable.
It is also a superb base for longer walks: beyond the classic circuit, trails lead to the Cadini di Misurina, to the Rifugio Fonda Savio and towards the high plateaus of the Sexten Dolomites, so you can easily spend two or three nights here exploring the area.
When to go to Rifugio Auronzo
The hut is open in summer, typically from around late May or June to early October, depending on the opening of the toll road; check dates before planning. July and August are the busiest months, with the warmest weather and all trails open, but also the most visitors. June offers wildflowers and snow patches on the higher trails, and September brings clear, settled weather and quieter paths. Book well in advance for summer weekends.
Questions, answered
- How do you get to Rifugio Auronzo?
- By the panoramic toll road from Lake Misurina, usually open from late May to October, or on foot.
- Does Rifugio Auronzo have private rooms?
- Yes. It has rooms for two to three guests, as well as dormitories of five to six beds.
- How long is the walk around the Tre Cime?
- The circuit is about ten kilometres and takes three to four hours.
