Cortina – Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks

From the Cortina bus station, head up towards Tre Croci Pass-Misurina. Having crossed the typical village of Alverà, an enchanting panorama will open up over the pastures, forests and clearings surrounded by the Ampezzo Dolomites: admire the Pomagagnon and Cristallo on your left and the Faloria on your right. 

Continue past Lago Scin Restaurant on your left and the lake of the same name on your right until the Rio Gere carpark. From here, the series of curves gives way to long straights. You are almost at the peak of the Tre Croci Pass (1,805 m) and the view over the Ampezzo Valley on the one hand and Mount Sorapiss on the other is truly spectacular. This pass has been part of the Giro d’Italia on various occasions, the first back in 1966. Along the way, you will find an enchanting pasture and two refreshment points: Son Zuogo restaurant and B&B Hotel Cortina Passo Tre Croci. 

Continue along the pass for a nice panoramic downhill stretch with views over Mount Sorapiss and the wild Marmarole chain. After about three kilometres, take a left onto the SS 48 bis which climbs up to Misurina in a 2-km ascent. Admire the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks and Lake Misurina, the largest natural basin in Cadore, ahead of you, the Cadini to your right and the Cristallo and Popena to your left. Once you have reached the crystal-clear lake, it is worth stopping to look back and admire the Sorapiss massif overlooking the enchanting alpine lake. There are various places to stop for refreshments in Misurina before continuing your ascent.

Once past the lake, at the crossroads take the paved road to the right towards Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks. This is the start of a 7-km uphill road on which epic cycling history has been made with numerous Giro d’Italia stage arrivals.

The road will lead you to Lake d’Antorno in just a few minutes, an area of great natural interest thanks to the flora and fauna found there, typical of the Dolomite alpine environment. From here, the forest becomes increasingly sparse, making way for clearings, pastures in bloom and high mountain views. You will pass the toll booth (for cars) and the characteristic Malga Rin Bianco and tackle the final bends before arriving at the Rifugio Auronzo mountain lodge. From here, you can enjoy a mesmerising view over the Dolomites: to your right, the Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo, Mount Cristallo, the village of Misurina and its lakes from above, the Sorapiss and Cadini di Misurina, the Marmarole and Val d'Ansiei with Lake Auronzo and, finally, the Croda dei Toni and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks.

The road is unpaved from here onwards but anyone who wishes to continue, to the panoramic Forcella Lavaredo for example, can do so on foot. 

To return, follow the same route back or, alternatively, from Misurina descend towards Carbonin, climb back up to Cimabanche Pass and then down to Cortina.