Lake Sorapis & Tre Cime di Lavaredo: Hut-to-Hut Hike

No, you don’t need a via ferrata kit or climbing equipment for the main itinerary. The fixed cables on the Lake Sorapis trail and the short technical descent from your hut on Day 5 are secured sections that don’t require harnesses or carabiners. However, sturdy hiking boots with good grip and a pair of gloves for the cables can be helpful. If you plan to do the optional Cadini viewpoint on Day 6, no technical equipment is needed, but you must be comfortable with heights and exposure.

There is absolutely no problem bringing a harness, sling, or carabiner if it makes you more comfortable. There are via ferrata in the area that can be done within your itinerary time frame – e.g. Monte Paterno at Tre Cime.

A true fear of heights – then NO, we do not recommend it.

The trek includes several exposed sections – particularly the cabled approach to Lake Sorapis, the technical descent on Day 5, and the optional Cadini viewpoint on Day 6. If you have a moderate fear of heights but can manage exposure with handrails, you should be okay.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit is one of the most popular hikes in the Dolomites and gets 1000’s of visitors a day, especially from July through August, and more so on weekends. In our experience, people are spread out over +10km – and it actually has a nice vibe after 3 days of passing few people.

The first section from Rifugio Auronzo to Forcella Lavaredo (the first 20% of the trail) is usually the busiest.

What makes this tour special – you are spending the night at Tre Cime. You will have the evening and the following morning without crowds!

The final approach to the famous Cadini viewpoint is a reasonably narrow, exposed ridge with drop-offs on both sides and no safety barriers. It’s only recommended for those comfortable with heights and exposure. The path can be slippery when wet, and you should not attempt it in bad weather, strong winds, or if you’re uncomfortable with the exposure.

Many points along the trail to the viewpoint give amazing views for all comfort levels of hikers.

This trek is moderately challenging. You should be comfortable hiking 4-6 hours per day with elevation gains of 600-1,100 meters on some days. The terrain includes forest trails, rocky paths, steep ascents and descents, scree fields and shifting talus, and some exposure. Regular hiking experience and good cardiovascular fitness are important. If you can comfortably hike 10-12km with 800m elevation gain, you’ll manage this trek well.

It’s a dedicated group booking for your group only, not a shared departure with others.

Our pricing is based on a minimum of 4 people per group, with a recommended maximum of 7 participants per guide for safety, transport, and accommodation reasons. Larger groups can be accommodated on request.

Yes. Your guide tailors the daily pace, breaks, and commentary to your group’s preferences and abilities.

Accommodation on private guided tours is shared dormitory. Private rooms can be requested, subject to availability, at an additional cost.

Your group gets an English-speaking certified mountain guide for all hiking days, who handles safety and weather decisions, navigation, pacing, general route decisions, and tailors breaks and commentary to your group. It also includes private transfers from the trail end back to your hotel in Cortina.

On Private Guided tours, transfers from the trail end are included back to your hotel in Cortina.

The start of your trek is a short walk to the Faloria Cable car, where your adventure begins.

We strongly recommend comprehensive insurance covering mountain hiking up to 3,200 meters, medical expenses, emergency mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation, trip cancellation, and lost belongings. Mountain rescue can be extremely costly. Ensure your policy specifically covers trekking and alpine activities at altitude – many standard policies don’t.

Half-board is standard at all rifugios, which includes dinner and breakfast.

Lunches are not included, but most huts offer packed lunches, which you can order the night before, or you can purchase meals at huts you pass during the day.

Hut breakfasts include bread, cheese, cold cuts, yogurt, muslie, and hot beverages.

Dinners are multi-course, communal meals featuring local dishes like polenta, pasta, goulash, soups, cake & strudel. Some huts offer a choice of 2-3 meals per course, others operate à la carte, more like a restaurant.

Vegetarian and vegan options are usually available if requested in advance.

Please communicate any allergies or food intolerances when checking in, and again at meal times.

Most huts can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals, though options may be limited. Inform us of any dietary needs, allergies, or intolerances at booking so we can notify all huts in advance. Huts prepare meals based on bookings with limited storage, so last-minute requests can’t always be fulfilled. For highly specific requirements, consider supplementing with your own provisions.

You can stop at Malga’s (alpine farms) or mountain huts (rifugios) along the way and purchase complete meals, snacks, drinks, etc.

You will also have the option to purchase a packed lunch from most huts. You just need to order it the evening before – check with the hut staff when checking in.

Mobile coverage is generally good but varies by location and can be unreliable in deep valleys or some high ridges. Most huts have a signal, and many offer WiFi (sometimes for a fee). Download offline maps as backup and carry a portable charger. Inform someone at home of your daily itinerary and expected arrival times.

Yes – most huts have outlets available in common areas or rooms. As a precaution, we recommend bringing a compact power bank.

Since you’re staying in mountain huts, pack light. Essential items include: a sleeping bag liner (mandatory in all rifugios), lightweight hut clothes, toiletries, a quick-dry towel, a waterproof jacket and layers, sunscreen and sunglasses, water, snacks, a headlamp, earplugs, flip-flops or sandles for the huts, and cash (most huts don’t accept cards).

We recommend that your total pack weight be around 8 -12kg.

We provide a full pack list upon booking with us.

You can also get a good idea from our Packing List page.

No. Mountain huts provide blankets and pillows, but you must bring your own sleeping bag liner or slip for hygiene purposes. This is mandatory in all rifugios (that do not supply linen). You can purchase cotton, silk, or synthetic liners – they’re lightweight and pack down small.

Hiking poles are highly recommended, especially for steep descents and for stability on rocky sections. They’re particularly helpful on trails when rocks can be slippery and can take alot of pressure off your knees.

Collapsible poles are best so you can stow them when necessary.

Most huts offer showers for an additional fee (€3-8 for a few minutes of hot water), but availability depends on water supply and can be limited during busy periods. Not all huts have showers, and some may turn them off during dry spells. Bring wet wipes just in case, and a quick-dry towel.

Upon booking, we request your arrival airport or the nearest town you will be coming from. We then provide you with transport options, the latest timetable, and directions.

The itinerary has pre-booked accommodations at specific huts each night, so modifications are limited. However, you have options for alternative paths or can shorten stages using cable cars where available. If you need a rest day or must cut the trek short, we can help arrange alternatives. Changes may incur additional costs and are subject to availability.