Cadini di Misurina Hike: Complete Travel Guide 2026

We’ve been to the Dolomites twice, and Cadini di Misurina was on our itinerary both times. On our first visit, we planned to hike it after the Tre Cime loop, but by the time we reached the car, a strong storm was rolling in — so we skipped it.

On our second trip, we gave it another shot, hoping this time it would work out — and it did. The hike itself is incredibly scenic and dramatic, easily one of the most striking landscapes we’ve seen in the Dolomites.

It’s exactly the kind of trail that earns its place among the best hikes in the Dolomites, at least in terms of pure wow-factor.

That said, the final viewpoint left us with mixed feelings. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it has also turned into a classic Instagram photo spot, often with a line of people waiting their turn.

So, was the hike worth it? In this guide, we’ll share our honest take, along with practical tips on the trail, timing, and what to realistically expect when hiking to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint.

At a glance

Cadini di Misurina is all about sharp, dramatic peaks and big Dolomites scenery, with a relatively short hike that feels more intense than the distance suggests. The trail itself is scenic almost the entire way and never boring.

Timing matters a lot here: hit it early or late and it feels special; arrive mid-day and it can feel rushed and chaotic. We’d still recommend it for the landscape alone, but it’s best approached with realistic expectations rather than Instagram dreams.

Where is Cadini di Misurina

Cadini di Misurina is located in the eastern Dolomites, right next to Misurina and just opposite the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

The hike starts from the Rifugio Auronzo, which makes it easy to combine with the Tre Cime loop if the weather and timing allow. Even though it’s close to one of the busiest spots in the Dolomites, the Cadini trail itself feels more rugged and dramatic.

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How to get there

By car

You can drive directly up to Rifugio Auronzo, but access is restricted to timed slots and requires an online reservation in advance. Even in late September, slots were already booked 1–2 days ahead, and we couldn’t get one.

In summer 2025, the price was €40 per car for a 12-hour slot.

During our first visit in 2020 we could simply drive up and pay at the toll booth. Back then it was just 30€ for 24 hours, no reservations requiered.

By car & bus combination (what we did)

If you miss the reservation like we did — or want a cheaper, less stressful option — leave your car in Misurina.

There’s a new large parking lot right at the start of Lago di Misurina. We paid €17 for almost the whole day and used the EasyPark app, which made it easy to adjust parking time if needed.

Right next to the parking lot, you’ll find the Dolomiti Bus, which runs up to Rifugio Auronzo. A round-trip ticket costs €10 per person, and the bus also stops along Lake Misurina and at Lago d’Antorno.

By public bus

The only public bus that goes all the way up to Rifugio Auronzo is bus 444 from Toblach (Busbahnhof). You can still reach it easily from other towns with one transfer.

For the latest routes and schedules, check the Süd Tirol Mobil journey planner.

What to expect at Cadini di Misurina

Hiking Map

Trail Description

Once you arrive at the car park, you’ll have Tre Cime di Lavaredo on your left and Rifugio Auronzo straight ahead. From here, the trail toward Cadini di Misurina is easy to spot — look to the large hill on the right, where you’ll already see people walking along faint paths.

From the car park, you have two options:

• Walk past Rifugio Auronzo first, then turn right and follow the trail downhill.
• Skip the rifugio entirely and head toward the road leading down to the valley, where you’ll see several paths heading in the right direction. It’s a shortcut.

Both options lead slightly downhill at first and eventually drop you into a small, open “valley” with a clear ascent straight ahead. This is where route choice becomes important.

Several trails branch off here. We made the mistake of taking the far-left trail, which loops around the mountain and looks tempting because it promises better views. As we continued, the path became narrow, slippery, and increasingly exposed, with steep drop-offs into the couloirs below. This section is not something we’d recommend — especially in wet conditions — as a slip here could easily end in a serious fall.

Instead, we strongly recommend continuing straight ahead or slightly to the right, where the trail climbs gently over the hill without exposure. From there, it’s simply a matter of following the main path — most people naturally end up on the correct route.

Along the way, you’ll pass several beautiful viewpoints, and honestly, we enjoyed these more than the final viewpoint itself. You can find great angles and dramatic scenery here without the crowds — just stay mindful of edges and avoid stepping too close.

If you’re set on getting the iconic Instagram photo, you’ll recognize the spot immediately: a small hill with rugged, jagged peaks behind it and usually a line of people waiting their turn.

When we arrived, around 20 people were already queued, and with plans to hike the Tre Cime loop afterward, we decided it wasn’t worth the wait — so we turned back before the final viewpoint.

Facilities on the trail

Facilities are very limited. The only place with toilets, food, or drinks is Rifugio Auronzo at the start of the hike. Once you’re on the trail, there’s nothing at all — no water points, no shelters, no huts.

Bring enough water, snacks, and layered clothing, as weather can change quickly at this altitude.

Trail difficulty

Overall, the hike is easy to moderate, but it really depends on the route you choose. Physically, it’s not very demanding — the trail is short, but it is uphill, so expect some steady effort.

That said, route choice matters. We accidentally ended up on a very exposed section along the edge of the mountain, which is not for the faint-hearted. With Ema (6 months old at the time) in a carrier, this felt genuinely dangerous and is something we’d actively avoid next time.

When to hike

Season-wise, the best time to hike Cadini di Misurina is late spring to early autumn, roughly June to October, depending on snow conditions. Early in the season, snow can linger on shaded sections, making the trail slippery and less predictable. In late autumn, weather changes fast and first snowfalls can arrive unexpectedly.

We hiked in late September and found it to be a great compromise — stable weather, cooler temperatures, and fewer people overall in the Dolomites, even though the viewpoint can still get busy.

Time of day is mostly down to luck. We’ve heard of people arriving early morning or at sunrise and still waiting in line, while others came mid-afternoon and had the viewpoint almost to themselves.

One time window that may work better is sunset, when many day visitors have already left the Tre Cime area — just keep an eye on daylight and weather, especially late in the season.

Other spots to visit nearby

• Lago di Dobbiaco – A small, peaceful lake just a short drive away, perfect for an easy walk and a quiet break after hiking. Much less crowded than Braies.
• Lago di Braies – One of the most famous lakes in the Dolomites, known for its turquoise water and dramatic setting. Best visited early or late to avoid crowds.
• Val Fiscalina – A wide, scenic valley near Sexten with flat walking trails, mountain huts, and beautiful views of the Sexten Dolomites. Great for an easier day.
• Prato Piazza – A high alpine plateau with open views, hiking trails, and classic Dolomites scenery. Feels less hectic than the Tre Cime area, especially outside peak hours.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Cadini di Misurina is one of those hikes that really benefits from managed expectations. The scenery along the trail is dramatic from start to finish, and even if you never reach the famous viewpoint, the landscape alone makes the walk worthwhile.

At the same time, the final spot has clearly become an Instagram hotspot, and depending on timing, that can take away from the experience.

Our biggest takeaway is to focus on the hike itself, not just the photo. Choose the safer route, take your time enjoying the viewpoints along the way, and don’t feel pressured to wait in line if it doesn’t feel right.

If you time it well and approach it for the scenery rather than the shot, Cadini di Misurina can be a genuinely memorable part of a Dolomites itinerary.