Cinque Torri Hike – an Easy Trail in the Dolomites

Hiking the Cinque Torri loop trail is perhaps one of the most rewarding things to do in the Italian Dolomites if you are an outdoor person. Located in the Italian Alps, Cinque Torri (Five Towers) is a rock formation near Cortina d’Ampezzo, famous for its distinctive five towers and rich WWI history.

The UNESCO-listed mountain range of the Dolomites is characterized by dramatic scenery, jagged limestone peaks, sheer cliffs and vast alpine meadows. The grandeur of these mountains can only be compared to the fantastic Torres del Paine peaks in Chilean Patagonia. Although each offers unparalleled beauty in its own right!

We had a blast during this hike so we decided to put together a guide that will give you all the practical information you need for visiting Cinque Torri, so keep reading!

Key Aspects of the Cinque Torri Hike

Length and Accessibility

Cinque Torri hike is a relatively easy loop that circles the distinctive “Five Towers” rock formation. The path that encircles the towers is about 2km – 2.5 km long (depending on the trail you choose) and has minimal elevation gain (120m), which makes it accessible for any type of hikers. The hike takes about 2 – 2.5 hours to complete, depending on how often you stop.

Scenery

The scenery of Cinque Torri is stunningly beautiful, featuring incredible panoramic views of the surrounding Dolomite peaks like the Tofane and Lagazuoi. The area offers effortless access to easy hikes and also lots of history dating from the Great War. If you are really adventurous, you can also go rock climbing at Cinque Torri, but even if you are not in it for an adventure, this place will truly appeal to everyone. 

Historic Importance

In addition to its natural beauty, the Cinque Torri hike is also a WWI open-air museum with informational panels and outdoor exhibits that make your hike even more interesting. During World War I (1915-1918) the Dolomites became a brutal mountain front between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies. The Italian soldiers built here an extensive tunnel network and fought bravely from ice caves and rocks. Sadly, they suffered more from avalanches, cold and rockfalls than enemy fires. They left behind tranches, bunkers and fortifications which you can still see today.

Getting to Cinque Torri Rock Formation

Starting Point

To reach Cinque Torri from Cortina d’Ampezzo you’ll have to drive towards Passo Falzarego and park at the Bai de Dones parking lot, which is located at the valley station near the Cinque Torri chairlift. The drive typically takes about 30 minutes. No parking reservation is needed.

On Foot

From the parking lot some people choose to hike up on foot to Cinque Torri. The hike starts at the bottom station of the cable car, but it’s a steep climb (from about 1.900m to 2.250m) and it’s not worth doing in my opinion. Unless of course you are in it for some strenuous physical activity. For the most part, this path follows the ski slopes and there isn’t even much vegetation on it.

By Chairlift

The easiest way to reach the Cinque Torri is to take the chairlift from Baita Bai de Dones to Refugio Scociattoli. The ride takes about 6 minutes offering a quick ascent to the famous rock formations. It’s a short, scenic ride up to the refuge and a popular starting point for hiking in the area. 

Which Trail to Choose at Cinque Torri

There are quite a few trails to choose from when you reach the top of the mountain. Like for instance the steep ascent to Rifugio Nuvolau (2,575m) which is great for panoramic views, or the trail to Refugio Averau (2.416 m). The path to the Averau hut is visible from Refugio Scociattoli, so you can’t miss it. Just start uphill leaving the chairlift behind. This takes about 1 hour round trip.

But if you are short on time and can only do one hike, you absolutely need to hike the Cinque Torri loop trail (Giro delle Torri), which is absolutely spectacular and not difficult at all.

How to Hike the Cinque Torri Loop Trail

For the best experience, my recommendation is to go clockwise, starting from Refugio Scociattoli towards the Sentiero delle Trincee (path of the trenches). This trail avoids the main climb and offers a relatively flat, scenic walk around the towers, including WWI bunkers. This loop is the easiest and most popular way to explore Cinque tori.

This loop offers stunning views of the towers and passes by the WWI trenches and bunkers. Depending on your pace and how often you stop to explore the historic sites and take pictures, this loop may take 2-2.5 hours.

Tip: Some sections of this trail are steeper and rocky, but because it’s short and has little elevation gain, it feels like an easy hike. 

Furthermore, as already mentioned, if you don’t want to hike the entire loop around the towers, you can make a shortcut as we did (purple line) or opt for an even shorter version that turns back just before the towers (a mini-loop indicated in yellow in our map above).

Worth Mentioning: If you want to include Refugio Averau in your hike you should start counter-clockwise. From the chairlift station (Rifugio Scociattoli) take Trail 441 towards Averau. This climbs steadily, passes Lago Limedes, and leads to Rifugio Averau (near Forcella Averau).

Other Hiking Options Near Cinque Torri

Just a few minutes away from the bottom of the Cinque Torri chairlift, continuing via Passo Falzarego/SR48 for about 4 km, you can reach another amazing point: Lagazuoi mountain. The near-vertical mountain is famous for its steep ridges, narrow pinnacles, and vertical rock faces. Lagazuoi consists of two main peaks: Grande Lagazuoi (Big Lagazuoi) at 2,835 meters (9,301 ft) and Piccolo Lagazuoi (Little Lagazuoi) at 2,778 meters (9,114 ft).

It’s worth taking the funicular to the top of the mountain, at Refugio Lagazuoi, which is just below the summit of Piccolo Lagazuoi. The ride takes only a few minutes, but ascends almost vertically up the rock face, making you a little nervous. From up here you’ll get unobstructed views of the surrounding Dolomites, including the Cinque Torri, Tofane, and Marmolada. 

If you have time, there are a few nice trails up here worth hiking. The area is an open-air museum filled with restored World War I tunnels and trenches carved by soldiers from both sides. Due to its near-vertical, rugged terrain, Lagazuoi was a key location for “mine warfare” during World War I, which is why it is often called the “Mountain of the War.”

Hiking Options at the Top:

• Easy Walking/Views: If you don’t have time to hike, simply explore the area around the top station and the Lagazuoi refuge.
• WW1 Tunnels: You can hike down through the 1 km long, steep and dark tunnels. If you want to do this hike, you’ll need a headlamp.
• Frontline Trail: This is a well-marked, panoramic, but rocky trail that connects the top station to the Falzarego Pass, allowing you to walk down the mountain.
• Kaiserjäger Trail: A more advanced path with a suspension bridge, ideal for panoramic views and historic sites. 

While the summit is easily accessible by cable car, hiking up to the top from the valley is very difficult. It involves steep, challenging trails, such as the Via Ferrata Tomaselli, which has near vertical and demanding sections.

At the bottom of the funicular, there is a small, scenic chapel often photographed against the dramatic Lagazuoi backdrop. The chapel is a notable landmark that serves as a peaceful spot amidst the historic WWI battlefield area.