Cinque Torri Hike & Guide: How to Visit the Dolomite Towers

Cinque Torri is one of those Dolomites spots that’s beautiful no matter how you get there — and there are a few very different ways.

You can drive straight to Rifugio Cinque Torri, hop on the chairlift from Passo Falzarego or Passo Giau, or take the scenic round hike from Passo Falzarego via Lago Limides. We went for the hike, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions of our trip.

We started at sunrise, and the light over the mountains was just unreal — soft pinks, long shadows, and that crisp morning air you only get up here.

If you’re up for a bit of adventure, we really recommend doing it this way. The views keep changing with every turn, and reaching Cinque Torri on foot makes it feel even more special.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting — how to get there, the best hiking routes, practical tips, what to expect, and how to make the most of your time in this stunning part of the Dolomites.

Why we think it’s worth it?

We’ve seen a lot of Dolomites viewpoints, but this one has something different. It’s not just the rock towers themselves — though they’re massive and impressive up close — it’s the whole setting.

The trails here pass through alpine meadows and panoramic paths. If that’s your thing, you’ll love the Seceda ridgeline hike, and the meadows around Geisler Alm (Adolf Munkel Trail) are another favorite.

What really struck us was how accessible it is. You can make it as easy or as challenging as you like. Families can ride up by lift and enjoy a short walk, while hikers can spend hours exploring the area.

Honestly, if you’re already in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area, Cinque Torri should be on your list. Whether you’re chasing epic hikes or just a place to sit with a view that makes you forget about your phone, it delivers.

Compared with Tre Cime, this feels more up-close with a shorter approach, fewer crowds, and you’re right under the towers.

Map of Cinque Torri area

When to visit

Cinque Torri is best visited between late June and late September, when the trails are clear of snow and the rifugios are open. We visited in August and the meadows were green and full of flowers, but it’s also the busiest time.

In winter, the area transforms into a ski zone. You can still see Cinque Torri if you’re skiing in the area, but hiking access is limited.

If you can, come on a weekday. Weekends can get packed with hikers and tour groups, especially later in the morning. No matter the season, we definitely recommend early morning around sunrise.

Getting there

1. Driving up to Rifugio Cinque Torri

In summer, you can’t drive all the way up. The forest road from Cianzopè to Rifugio Cinque Torri is closed 24/7 from June 16 to September 21, and a paid shuttle runs from the barrier at Cianzopè.

In August it typically operates about 09:00–17:30, costs €10 per person one-way, and you don’t need a reservation — just show up and pay the driver. There’s parking by the barrier, and the ride is quick and easy.

Outside the closure period, you can drive the narrow mountain road yourself, but spaces at the top are limited and it’s tight in places, so go slow and arrive early if you want a spot.

2. Taking a Seggiovia from Bai de Dones (Passo Falzarego)

For a quick and scenic way up, take the Seggiovia Cinque Torri from Bai de Dones to Rifugio Scoiattoli. The ride is short, gliding over forest and meadows with the mountains opening up around you. 

The parking lot (pinned location) is spacious and free, right next to the lift station. Even if it looks full when you arrive, don’t panic — cars come and go quickly, so it usually doesn’t take long to find a spot.

The chairlift drops you off right at the Giro delle 5 Torri trail, a scenic loop that circles the rock towers.

From here, you can walk the full circuit at a relaxed pace, explore the WWI open-air museum, or head to Rifugio Scoiattoli for a coffee with one of the best views in the Dolomites.

3. Taking a chairlift from Rifugio Fedare (Passo Giau)

If you’re coming from Passo Giau, another option is to take the chairlift from Rifugio Fedare. There’s a small free parking lot right by the lift, but spots are limited, so arriving early is a good idea.

From the top of the lift, you’ll still need to hike about 1.3 km to reach Cinque Torri. The path starts with a 170 m descent and takes around 15–20 minutes at a normal pace.

The walk itself is scenic, with views of the surrounding peaks, but keep in mind that you’ll have to hike back uphill on the way back.

4. Loop hike from Passo Falzarego via Lago Limides

If you’ve got the time and energy, this is hands-down the most rewarding way to reach Cinque Torri. Sure, we could jump in a van or take the lift and be there in minutes, but we still decided to hike — and we’re so glad we did.

We started from Passo Falzarego and hiked past Lago Limides, a small alpine lake that, on a still day, perfectly mirrors the peaks around it. It might not have incredible hues like Lago di Sorapis or Lago di Carezza, but it’s a lovely spot.

From there, we passed through open meadows and rocky stretches, with the Dolomites unfolding in every direction. 

The hike wasn’t too difficult, but it was enough to make our arrival feel earned. We’ve had time to soak up the landscape, hear nothing but the wind, and approach Cinque Torri in the same way climbers and soldiers once did.

If you can, take the hike. The towers are incredible, no matter how you get there, but this route makes the journey every bit as memorable as the destination.

Giro delle 5 Torri – loop around the towers

Once we made it up to Cinque Torri, we couldn’t resist walking the Giro delle 5 Torri, the short circuit trail that circles around the towers. It only takes about 30–40 minutes, but it gave us some of our favorite views of the day.

There are a few different paths you can take around the towers. They go around the base of the rocks, and at one point, the path took us right through the towers. With every turn they looked completely different.

What we really enjoyed was the atmosphere — there were climbers scattered all around the towers, some gearing up at the bottom, others already halfway up the walls.

Towards the end, there’s a path through the open-air museum with restored trenches and bunkers from World War I, but we decided to follow a different route and skipped the museum this time.

Hiking map

What to expect on the trail from Passo Falzarego

Passo Falzarego – Lago Limides – Forcella Averau

The hike starts at Passo Falzarego, and right away the path feels quiet and easy to follow. Watch out for a sign for trail 441.

We walked through some patches of pine forest and open ground, with views of the surrounding peaks in the distance. It’s not steep at the beginning, so it’s a nice warm-up.

After about 15 minutes, we reached Lago Limides. It’s a small alpine lake, but really beautiful — on a calm day, the mountains reflect in the water. We took a short break here before continuing.

From Lago Limides, the path quickly becomes steeper and more rocky, with less greenery around. At one point, we had to cross over loose rocks and pay more attention to our steps.

This stretch took us about 40 minutes, and soon we arrived at Forcella Averau.

Forcella Averau – Rifugio Averau – Rifugio Scoiattoli

The section between Forcella Averau and Forcella Nuvolau was one of our favorites. The path is a bit narrow in places, but nothing difficult.

On our left, Monte Averau towered above us, while on the right, we could look down over Passo Giau far below. Walking this part took us around 20–30 minutes.

When we reached Forcella Nuvolau, we came to the top station of the chairlift from Rifugio Fedare and passed by Rifugio Averau.

This is also the first spot on the trail where we finally saw Cinque Torri in the distance. From here, it was just 15 minutes downhill until we stood right at the base of the towers.

Rifugio Scoiattoli – Passo Falzarego

After exploring the short loop trail around the towers, we started our return on trail 440. This section winds through the forest, and we enjoyed the shade after being out in the sun earlier.

The last part of the hike is mostly flat, following trail 424 around Rifugio Col Gallina before leading us back toward Passo Falzarego. The return leg took us about 1–1.5 hours at an easy pace.

Facilities on the trail

For most of the hike, there are no facilities at all. From Passo Falzarego up to Rifugio Averau, you won’t find any huts, cafés, or water stops, so make sure to bring enough water and a few snacks.

Once you reach Rifugio Averau and the Cinque Torri area, there are a couple of places to eat and rest. On the return leg, the trail is also pretty quiet — the only option is Rifugio Col Gallina, and that’s almost at the very end of the hike.

Where to eat

• Rifugio Averau – A popular stop right at Forcella Nuvolau, serving full meals with amazing views.
• Rifugio Nuvolau – it’s only 700 m from Averau, but up a steep hill, not along the way. This is the oldest rifugio in the Dolomites and has a stunning 360° view.
• Rifugio Scoiattoli – Located just below Cinque Torri, perfect for a coffee or lunch while looking straight at the towers.
• Rifugio Cinque Torri – Positioned on the opposite side of the towers, this hut has a cozy, traditional feel and is a good stop if you wander around the area.
• Rifugio Col Gallina – Found near the end of the long hike, quieter and good for a final stop before finishing.

Trail difficulty

Overall, we’d call this hike moderate difficulty. It’s a bit longer than just taking the chairlift, of course, but it never feels too demanding.

There are a few narrow sections of trail, especially between Forcella Averau and Forcella Nuvolau, but they’re not exposed or dangerous. The only part where we had to be a little more careful was crossing over some loose rocks before reaching Forcella Averau.

We think this route is suitable for kids as well, as long as they’re used to walking longer distances and can handle a bit of uphill. There are no exposed drops or technical parts, so it feels safe the whole way.

Where to stay

You’ve got a few good options depending on whether you want to stay in the mountains or down in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

• Mountain Rifugios – If you want the full Dolomites experience, staying in a rifugio is unforgettable. All the mentioned rifugios offer simple rooms or dorm-style beds.
• Cortina d’Ampezzo – For more comfort and amenities, staying in Cortina is the easiest choice. The town is an excellent base for exploring this part of the Dolomites.

FAQs

Is the trail suitable for kids?
Yes — the hike is suitable for kids as long as they’re used to walking a few hours and can handle some uphill. The trail has no exposed or dangerous sections, so it feels safe, but younger children might find it tiring.

Is it wheelchair/stroller friendly?
No — the trail is rocky and uneven in parts, with stairs along the return route. It isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

Is there shade along the trail?
Some, but not much. Most of the trail is open and exposed to the sun. On the return through the forest, there’s more shade.

Can I camp overnight on or near the trail?
No — wild camping isn’t allowed here. If you want to stay overnight, the best option is to book a bed at one of the rifugios along the way.

Is cell service available throughout the route?
It’s patchy. We had coverage in some open areas, but it dropped out at times along the way. Don’t rely on it working everywhere, and download maps offline before you go.

Final thoughts

Hiking to Cinque Torri from Passo Falzarego was one of those experiences that felt just right — not too difficult, not too short, and full of variety along the way. Between the peaceful stop at Lago Limides, the rocky climbs, the ridge views near Forcella Nuvolau, and finally standing right below the towers, the trail kept surprising us.

Sure, you can reach Cinque Torri by chairlift or van, but for us, the hike made the day so much more memorable. The effort is very manageable, and the reward is seeing the towers appear step by step until they dominate the view in front of you.