Hiking the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint in the Dolomites
Last Updated on May 14, 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 viewpoint 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 2.1-mile ( ~3.2 km) 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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Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint Hike at a Glance
- Distance: 2.1 miles / ~3.2 km
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
- Elevation: 690 ft / ~210 m
- Best Seasons: Late June through early September
- Trail Type: Out-and-back
- AllTrails Profile
The trailhead for Cadini di Misurina (GPS Coordinates 46.61225, 12.29641) 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.
Our Hike to the Cadini Misurina Viewpoint
From the chaos of the Tre Cime car park, the Cadini di Misurina trail slipped off almost unnoticed. The trailhead begins across the street from the Rifugio Auronzo car park, and immediately drops 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 viewpoint 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.
After we took enough photos to last a lifetime, it was an easy trek back to Rifugio Auronzo, the same way we’d come.
Plan Your Visit to Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint
Here’s everything you need to know before you set out on your adventure to Cadini di Misurina.
Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint Trail Difficulty
Overall, this is a short and easy-to-get-to hike. The total distance is just over 2 miles (~3.2 km) out and back, and the elevation gain is modest at around 690 feet (210 m). Most reasonably fit hikers will find it manageable, and the trail itself is well-worn and easy to follow throughout.
Trail Surface and Exposure
That said, a few things are worth knowing before you go. Much of the path is narrow and pebbly, which can be tiring on ankles and tricky for anyone with limited mobility. The final approach to the viewpoint has some genuine exposure. It’s short, but real, so if sheer drop-offs make you freeze up, be prepared to skip that section and go to the upper viewpoint instead.
Visiting with Kids, Dogs, or Limited Mobility
For families, I’d think twice before bringing toddlers. The trail isn’t stroller-friendly, and the narrow sections don’t leave much margin for wriggly small humans near a drop-off.
Dogs are technically welcome, but if yours gets excited around other hikers, this might not be their best day out. The ridge at the end can get crowded during peak season, with a queue forming for photos at the classic outcrop, and a reactive or boisterous dog in that situation is a recipe for chaos.
How to Get to the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint 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 — but before you do, you’ll need to book your parking spot online in advance. Same-day reservations are not permitted, so this isn’t something you can leave until the morning of your visit.
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)
For updated fees and seasonal opening announcements, check the official Tre Cime Dolomiti website or the Auronzo.info website.
Parking Reservations for Cadini di Misurina
Parking reservations for Cadini di Misurina open from the end of April each year and can be made via the official booking portal at auronzo.info. Book well in advance: especially for weekends and the peak months of July and August, when the car park fills fast. Aim for at least 3–4 days ahead, and longer if you can.
When booking your parking online, you’ll need to provide your:
- email address
- phone number
- vehicle licence plate no
If you’re hiring a car and don’t yet know your plate, you can update it online until 11:59 PM the night before your visit, but your vehicle won’t be authorised to enter unless you remember to do this!!
You can access the parking reservation system for Tre Cime using the button below:
Travel tip: Some visitors reported that exceeding the 12-hour limit triggered an additional charge upon exit, even for just a few minutes over.
How to Get to the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint Trailhead by Public Transit
From Cortina d’Ampezzo or Misurina: Dolomitibus
The Dolomitibus shuttle service to Tre Cime starts from June 2026, departing from the Misurina/Genzianella parking area.
A day ticket costs €10 per person and is valid for unlimited return trips throughout the day. Tickets are flexible, and you can buy them via the Dolomitibus app, at ticket offices, or directly on board using contactless Tap&Go (credit, debit, or mobile payment).
Cash is not accepted on board, but a vending machine is available at the terminus. Be sure to check the current timetables at dolomitibus.it before your trip, as schedules vary by season.
From Dobbiaco: Shuttle 444 (SüdtirolMobil)
Shuttle bus Line 444 runs from Dobbiaco to Rifugio Auronzo from May 31 to October 11, 2026. Round-trip fares are €22 for adults, €12 for children aged 6–13, free for children under 6, and €12 for dogs. One-way tickets are €16 for adults. Higher fares apply if purchasing remaining tickets on-site at Dobbiaco.
Online reservation and payment are required for the entire period, and both your outbound and return journeys must be reserved in advance.
You can book your shuttle ticket at drei-zinnen.bz/en/ticket. Free cancellation is available up to 72 hours before departure, and one rebooking is allowed until 3:00 PM the day before travel.
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. This is what we did, and it was a really long day of hiking, but I think I would have been too tired to do Cadini after finishing 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 viewpoint 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!
