Hiking the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint in the Dolomites
Last Updated on February 24, 2026 by Charlotte
Perched at the end of a narrow ridge near the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Nature Park, the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint is one of the most photographed panoramas in the Dolomites. Jagged peaks ring the lookout on three sides, and from certain angles, it really does look like you’re standing at the edge of the world.
But in reality, this is a short walk, and not an all-day expedition. In recent years, this spot has gone from semi-secret detour to full-blown Instagram star, so you can now expect more hikers and a small queue for the classic ridge photo. But it’s still a fantastic add-on to a day at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, especially if you’re already driving up the toll road anyways.
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Our Hike to the Cadini Misurina Lookout
From the chaos of the Tre Cime car park, the Cadini di Misurina trail slipped off almost unnoticed. The trailhead began across the street from the Rifugio Auronzo parking lot, followed Trail 117 toward Rifugio Col de Varda, and immediately dropped down a rocky hill. To our left, a river snaked through a wide valley toward an aqua-blue lake, bright even under a hazy sky.
It didn’t feel like the “proper” start to a famous viewpoint, and Travel Buddy was skeptical from the start. What he didn’t realize — and what I found hilarious — was that you can see the parking lot from the trail for most of the walk. This isn’t exactly off-the-grid backcountry exploration.
From the bottom of the hill, the walk to the viewpoint followed a narrow footpath along a ridge with fabulous views of Tre Cime (Drei Zinnen). We still couldn’t see the Cadini di Misurina range, but we knew it was waiting for us.
As we crested the hill, the full extent of Cadini di Misurina came into view. Compared to the crowds at Tre Cime, the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint felt a world away, with only a few other hikers around. The mountains beyond the end of the trail surrounded the lookout on three sides, like they were giants cradling the ridge in stone hands.
The final stretch of the trail to the famous viewpoint was narrow, with real exposure in places, but the path itself was obvious and well-worn. If you’re comfortable on a steep hillside trail, you’ll probably feel okay here. If honest-to-god drop-offs terrify you, the most exposed section is short, and the views along the approach are already worth the walk on their own.
When we visited, this viewpoint still felt like a bit of a hidden gem. Since then, its popularity has exploded. These days, especially in peak season, you should expect more people on the ridge and a small queue forming for photos at the classic lower outcrop.
If you’d rather skip waiting in line, there’s also a second viewpoint above the famous outcrop. After the trail forks, you can either drop slightly left and down to reach the narrow ridge where most of the photos are taken, or head up and to the right to a wider, flatter perch. And also, how spectacular is this view?
I actually preferred this upper angle because you get the full sweep of the Cadini range plus views back toward Tre Cime, and if you’re uneasy with exposure, the ground up here feels much safer.
Cadini di Misurina Hike Details
- Distance: 2.1 miles / ~3.2 km
- Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Elevation: 690 ft / ~210 m
- Best Seasons: Late May through early September
- AllTrails Profile
- Trail Type: Out and back
How To Find The Cadini di Misurina Trailhead
The trailhead for Cadini di Misurina starts just across the road from the Rifugio Auronzo parking lot, following Trail 117 toward Rifugio Col de Varda.
From the edge of the lot, look for the signed path dropping down the rocky hillside. If you’ve reached the start of the classic Tre Cime loop and you’re still on a wide gravel road, you’ve gone the wrong way.
Plan Your Visit to Cadini di Misurina Lookout
The Best Time of Year to Visit Cadini di Misurina
The road to Rifugio Auronzo is typically open from June through September. In June, there might be some residual snowpack on the trail. July and August are considered the best months to visit. However, August tends to be the busiest “peak” visiting month, and you can expect busloads of day hikers in addition to the 700 carloads of people.
Best Time of Day to Visit Cadini di Misurina
Light-wise, early morning and late afternoon are the most beautiful at Cadini di Misurina, especially if you can catch the alpenglow, when the cliffs are painted with shades of peach and apricot.
If you’re pairing Cadini with the Tre Cime loop, two easy options are:
- Start with Cadini: Hike Cadini first in the morning while your legs are fresh and crowds are lower, then do the Tre Cime loop.
- End with Cadini: Do the Tre Cime loop first, then add Cadini as a golden-hour bonus if the weather cooperates.
Either way, leave yourself time to get back to the car park before dark, especially if you’re not confident on exposed terrain.
Nearby Facilities and Restaurants
Rifugio Auronzo sits right at the start/end of the Tre Cime loop and the Cadini trailhead, so it’s your main base for facilities.
- Food: The rifugio has a large dining room with views of the Cadini range and serves regional Cadorina and Bellunese dishes using local produce and dairy.
- Toilets: There are public WCs, but they’re only open during business hours. Don’t count on them early in the morning or late in the evening. I was also surprised to find that some of the toilets are squatty potties, and I was horrified! I get squatty potty anxiety!
- Parking: Large paid car park (details below).
If you’re doing both Tre Cime and Cadini in one day, this is a good place to grab a hot meal or coffee between hikes.
How to Get to the Cadini di Misurina Lookout Trailhead By Car
To reach the trailhead near Rifugio Auronzo, you’ll need to drive up a private toll road from the town of Misurina. This road is typically open from late June through September, depending on snow conditions.
- Toll road hours: Open 24/7 during the season
- Toll booth staffed: 6 AM – 8 PM
- Number of Available parking spots: ~700 at Rifugio Auronzo
- Live sign at the booth shows current parking availability
While you previously needed to arrive early in peak season (especially July and August), as the lot filled quickly, Tre Cime has implemented a new parking reservation system that started in Summer 2025.
Parking Reservations for Cadini di Misurina
For Summer 2026, you must make an online reservation in advance for car access to the car park for Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance of your visit.
When making your parking reservation, you’ll need to provide:
- Contact info (email address and phone number)
- Trip date
- Vehicle license plate
- If you are hiring a car, and don’t yet know your license plate, you can update the license plate online before 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to your visit BUT your vehicle won’t be authorized unless you remember to do this.
You can access the parking reservation system for Tre Cime using the button below:
2026 Parking & Toll Fees
- Cars: €40 per 12 hours
- Camper Vans: €60 per 12 hours
- Motorbikes: €26 per 12 hours
- Free parking for travelers with EU disability placards (with the person present)
⚠️ Travel tip: Some 2024 visitors reported that exceeding the 12-hour limit triggered an additional charge upon exit, even for just a few minutes over.
For updated fees and seasonal opening announcements, check the official Tre Cime Dolomiti website or the Auronzo.info website.
How to Get to the Cadini di Misurina Lookout Trailhead by Bus
Summer bus routes that provide public transit options servicing the towns of Cortina d’Ampezzo and Dobbaccio to the Tre Cime Nature Park.
- From Cortina: Bus #30 and #31 go to Rifugio Auronzo. As timetables change, we recommend checking the timetables online at dolomitibus.it.
- From Dobbaccio: The shuttle bus #444 operates from June through October. It is recommended to book your shuttle bus tickets online in advance here, as only unsold tickets will be available for purchase locally.
Tips for Your Visit to Cadini di Misurina
- Pack for bipolar weather: Be sure to bring warm layers, a raincoat, and sun protection.
- Don’t go in rain, ice, or snow: the trail can be extremely slippery when wet.
- Wear close-toed shoes: We wore hiking boots and trail runners and had no problem on the gravel trails. Some other visitors wearing flip-flops were struggling.
- Bring your camera: You don’t want to miss out on your once-in-a-lifetime shots at this amazing spot.
Read the guide
Hiking Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) in the Dolomites
Looking for more things to do in the Tre Cime Nature Park? Explore our favorite hikes at Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) in the Dolomites. See photos, popular hiking routes, and tips for your visit.
Was it Worth the Trip?
For us, 100% yes. Seeing this viewpoint in person was every bit as beautiful as I’d hoped, and it was a fun add-on to our day in Tre Cime Nature Park. If you’re already driving up the toll road for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop and you’re comfortable with a bit of exposure, Cadini di Misurina is absolutely worth the extra hour or two.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to the Dolomites?
The Italian Dolomites are one of my favorite places on earth! To get a feel for how the Cadini di Misurina lookout could fit into your itinerary, check out our 10-Day Dolomites Itinerary or 3-Day Dolomites Itinerary from Cortina. While staying in Cortina, we also visited the beautiful (but crowded) Lago di Braies. And lastly, check out our guide on the best places to stay during your Dolomites vacation!
