Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids: how to enjoy the Dolomite Three Peaks as a family
All you need to know to enjoy the Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids: practical family guides to easy hikes and the best viewpoints on the Three Peaks, Dolomites, Italy.
Le Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen, in German, Three Peaks of Lavaredo, in English) are the most iconis site on the Dolomites, Italy.
Three solitary mountains peaks, they shoot up towards the sky with beautiful rock faces with distinctive pink hues.
They are a favorite spot for climbers, one of the most photographed spots in Dolomites and the symbol of this area.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo are one of the most beautiful spots on the Dolomites and you don’t need to be an experienced hiker or climber to enjoy them!
Reaching the peaks is easy and there are easy family hikes that allow you to enjoy the Three Peaks of Lavaredo with kids.
We know this area well and have enjoyed the Three Peaks with our kids many times.
This is our family guide to enjoying the Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids.
Where are Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Tre Cime di Lavaredo are three mountain peaks in the Dolomites, a mountainous area in the northeast of Italy.
They are in Veneto region, right on the border with Trentino Alto Adige.
Bolzano is about 3h by car
Venezia/ Venice is about 3h by car and the closest airport to Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The best getaway towns to Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids are San Candido, Sesto, Dobbiaco, Monguelfo and Villabassa, all also convenient for another iconic location in the area: Lake Braies.
How to reach Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids
There are two ways to reach Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids: by car and by shuttle bus.
Both these solutions allow you to comfortably reach the starting point of the easiest hikes around and near Tre Cime, the well served Rifugio Auronzo.
Reaching Tre Cime di Lavaredo by car
Reaching the Three Peaks of Lavaredo by car is easy.
A well-kept, scenic road leads you from Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo and, on top, you find several parking areas.
Access to the scenic road is regulated and ticketed: on arrival, you need to pay an access permit for the day (30 Euro, at the time of writing) and the road only stays open until the capacity of the car park is reached.
Once the parking at the top is full, the road closes and cars can only go up as others leave.
Need to know! Due to the popularity of this spot, in high season the parking is usually full by 8.30 am, 9am at the very latest. For later arrivals, you may consider the shuttle (see below).
The road up towards Rifugio Auronzo is paved and climbs to the top with many mountain switchbacks.
In good weather conditions, you do not need a special car to tackle it (you don’t need a 4×4) but it is rather steep so you will be safer and more comfortable in a good car with some power.
Gas, oil and excellent breaks are a must. The road, albeit scenic, is not too scary to drive: if you are afraid of heights however, I recommend you take the shuttle instead!
Need to know: the road may pose problems to kids who suffer from motion sickness.
Reaching Tre Cime fi Lavaredo with kids by shuttle bus
The best way to reach Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids without having to drive is by catching the Tre Cime Shuttle Bus.
The shuttle is free for kids and connects many of the most popular towns in the area with the peaks.
We used it this year and it is excellent: the bus is clean, comfortable, on time and leads you right to the start of the trail.
Need to know: the road may pose problems to kids who suffer from motion sickness.
Booking the shuttle is easy but must be done in advance (a couple of days or more). The official site to book the shuttle is this one.
The best hikes to see Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids
The area of Tre Cime has several hikes, some for experienced climbers but many suitable for kids.
Our favorite family hikes at the Tre Cime are:
Family walk from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo
If you are looking for an easy family hike in the Tre Cime area with stunning views, then I recommend you walk from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo.
This walk is the first leg of all the longer walks in the area but it is so beautiful, it is worth doing in its own right.
The path between Rif. Auronzo and Lavaredo takes 20-30 mins, it is on a white road and it is stroller friendly. The elevation gain is minimal and the views stunning.
At the start of the hike, you have beautiful views over the Cadini Mountains and the town of Auronzo far below and then the view changes with stunning views over Cima Dodici and Mount Paterno.
The Three Peaks are just on your left however, you are not on the side usually photographed. Do not let this deter you: the views from here are fantastic!
On the way to Rifugio Lavaredo you will first see a pretty Mountain Chapel (Cappella degli Alpini) and then you reach the Rifugio, where you find a scenic terrace, hot food and drinks.
Toilet facilities are basic but clean. 50c access for the use of facilities is collected by a turnstile machine upon entrance.
Family hike from Rifugio Lavaredo to Forcella Lavaredo
If you want to catch views over the other side of the Three Peaks, those you will recognize from photos of the area, then you need to climb a little higher, to the Lavaredo Saddle.
The walk up follows a road or a path (the road is longer and easier, the path is rather steep), it takes a little effort because of the elevation gain but it is short. To get to the highest point, you only need about 20 mins and the reward at the stop is one of the most beautiful views you can ask for!
The hike up is suitabe for kids (you don’t want to push a stroller here!) but it is steep and under the sun: bring water, a sun hat, sunscreen and take your time!
Youcan walk back down via the same road or the path: for this stretch, proper hiking shoes are a must.
Family hike from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifuglio Locatelli (Drei Zinnen hutte)
The very best way to see tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids and the best way to photograph the Three Peaks is to take the family hike to Rifugio Locatelli.
This is an extension of the two hikes mentioned above: from Rif Auronzo, you first reach Rif. Lavaredo, then Forcella Lavaredo and finally take the path leading you to Rif Locatelli, which you can see in the distance from the Lavaredo Saddle.
The hike poses no difficulties (no strollers) and takes about 1h from the saddle, with low elevation gain.
The walk is easy for kids however, due to its length and the fact that this is a linear path, you want your kids to be used to walking.
This is the place from where all iconic photos of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo are taken!
Family hike around Tre Cime di Lavaredo
If you have kids who are used to walking, another fantastic hike to see Tre Cime di Lavaredo is the loop trail around them.
The start of the loop follows the trail mentioned above, from Rif Auronzo to Lavaredo and then Forcella Lavaredo and then turns to lead you around the peaks.
There are several paths leading you around the peaks and they are all doable with kids, however, they are rather long. The loop path around Tre Cime with kids requires 3h (more if you have small kids), it has several ups and down that put to the test your stamina and a slightly high stretch towards the end.
The loops is fantastic in terms of views but I recommend it to experienced walkers only.
What to pack for a day at Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids
Tre Cime di Lavaredo are proper mountains and you need to have your gear to enjoy them.
I recommend you bring:
- Hiking shoes for you
- Hiking shoes for kids
- Sun hat
- Sun screen
- Sun glasses
- Water (there is no water on the path)
- Snacks if tackling the longer trails
- First aid kit
You can find my full list for a day hike with kids here
Where to catch the best views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo with kids
There are four easy spots from there to see the Three Peaks. of Lavaredo with kids (aka without strenuous hikes):
- The Tre Cime Viewpoint, on the road between Dobbiaco and Misurina (indicated, there is a parking spot too)
- Forcella Lavaredo
- Rifugio Locatelli
- Tre Cime Circular Loop
We adore the Tre Cime and I believe the paths on this page are among the best family hikes in the Dolomites you can ever take. You can find additional info on places we love in the Dolomites you can visit with kids here.
