The Cinque Torri hike is one of the most rewarding and accessible hikes in the Dolomites, located just outside Cortina d’Ampezzo. Known for its striking rock towers and well-preserved World War I sites, this scenic loop offeres breathtaking views with minimal elevation gain. Whether you’re a beginner hiker or simpley looking for a relaxed mountain walk, hiking around Cinque Torri combines history, nature, and unforgettable alpine scenery.
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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE CINQUE TORRI IN THE DOLOMITES
The Cinque Torri are nost just an amazing backdrop for an easy hike, they are one of the most fascinating natural and historical landmarks in the Dolomites.
The name Cinque Torri means “Five Towers,” but in reality, there are more than five individual rock spires. Over time, erosion has split the original formations into multiple pinacles, creating the jagged skyline you see today. The names of the main five towers are Torre Grande, Torre Seconda (also called Torre del Barancio or Torre Romana), Terza Torre or Torre Latina, Quarta Torre (comprised of two parts Bassa and Alta), and Quinta Torre or Torre Inglese.
The Cinque Torri played an important role during World War I. This area was once part of the frontline between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops, and many trenches, tunnels, and restored military positions can still be visited along the hiking trails.
The towers are alos famous among climbers. Thanks to their solid dolomite limestone and variety of routes, the Cinque Torri attract climbers from all over the world during summer.
Despite their dramatic look, hiking around the Cinque Torri is surprisingly easy. Well-marked paths and a nearby chair lift make it one of the most accessible hikes in teh Dolomites.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE HIKE
HOW TO GET TO the cinque torri trailhead?
There are two possible trail heads for the Cinque Torri hike: Rifugio 5 Torri or Baita dei Dones. The one you choose will depend on whether you have a car or not and whether you want to use a chair lift.
Rent your car with Auto Europe.
Starting the hike from Refugio 5 Torri
Rifugio 5 Torri is located direclty below the Cinque Torri rock towers and is easily accessible by car. This is the best choice if you’re looking for a short and mostly flat walk around the area.
From Cortina d’Ampezzo, drive toward Passo Falzarego and follow the signs for Cinque Torri and Rifugio 5 Torri. A paid parking area is available near the rifugio, and the hiking trail begins just a few steps away.
Important: The road leading to Rifugio 5 Torri is closed between July 1 and September 15.
Starting the hike from Baita dei Dones
The other alternative is to start your hike from Baita dei Dones, which is located along the road between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Passo Falzarego, the SS48 road.
From this starting point, you can either take the Seggiovia Cinque Torri chair lift or hike up along the trail that runs under the chairlift.
The chairlift operates only during the summer season (between June and early October) and takes you to Rifugio Scoiattoli in just a few minutes. The chairlift runs daily between 9:00 and 17:00, and in 2025 the price for a return ticket was 27 € per person. You can check the latest updated information here.
Alternatively, if you want to save some money, you can hike up to Rifugio Scoiattoli along the trail that runs under the chairlift. However, just keep in mind that this trail is quite steep.
Parking: You can park your car for free in the big parking lot next to Baita dei Dones hut. However, during the summer months, this rifugio does tend to fill up quite fast. I recommend getting here before 9:00 if you want to be sure to get a parking spot. We arrived a bit before 9:00 and the parking lot was filling up fast.
Getting to Cinque Torri by public transport
If you’re traveling without a car, you can still reach the Cinque Torri area using public buses from Cortina d’Ampezzo. During the summer season, buses run towards Passo Falzarego, stopping near Baita dei Dones, whre you can take the chair lift up to the Cinque Torri.
Unfortunately, Rifugio 5 Torri is not directy served by buses.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED FOR THE CINQUE TORRI HIKE?
The Cinque Torri hike is considered a relatively easy and accessible hike, making it suitable for all sorts of hikers. The trails are well-marked and mostly wide, so you don’t need technical hiking gear. Still, being properly equipped will make your hike more comfortable and enjoyable.
- A good pair of hiking shoes or boots is recommended. While some sections are failry flat, the path can be rocky and uneven in some parts. Shoes with decent grip will help you feel more secure on the trail.
- Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing, ideally in layers. We had some amazing summer days in the Dolomites but this is not always the case in the mountains. Weather can sometimes change quickly, even on sunny days, so bringing a light jacket or windbreaker is always a good idea. In the summer, breathable clothes and sun protection are essential.
- Even though the hike is short, it’s important to bring enough water, especially on warm days, as there are limited refill points along the trail. A small daypack is more than enough to carry water, snacks, and extra layers.
- Don’t forget sun protection, including sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The Cinque Torri area is mostly exposed, with little shade, and the alpine sun can be surprisingly strong.
- Trekking poles are optional, but I always like to use them to give my knees some extra support during uphill or downhill sections. Your future self will thank you for them.
- A camera or smartphone to capture the incredible scenery.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO THE CINQUE TORRI HIKE?
The best time to hike the Cinque Torri is from late June to early October, when the trails are snow-free and fully accessible. During this period, the weather is generally stable, and the hiking paths around the towers are well maintained.
July and August are the most popular months, with warm temperatures and long daylight hours, but they are also the busiest time of year. But don’t worry too much about this. We did this hike in August, and yes, there were people here, but it was not overcrowded. The online thing you have to worry about is being there early enough to get a parking spot.
June and September are often considered the ideal months if you prefer a quieter experience.
CINQUE TORRI HIKE
HIKE STATS
Trail Start/End – Rifugio 5 Torri if the road access is open, or at Baita dei Dones, where you can take a chair lift
Distance – 2,3 km
Elevation Gain – 118 m
Level – Easy
Route Type – Circular route
Estimated Time Needed – 1,5 to 2 hours (including plenty of time to stop for photos). Remember to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks.
Best Time To Visit – June to September to ensure the best weather conditions.
HIKE MAP
I always use the AllTrails App during my hikes. The app has a GPX map that can help you stay on the right trail during your hikes. For this hike, we followed the Cinque Torri Loop Trail, but we added some extra detours to get a closer look at the towers and the World War I trenches.
MY EXPERIENCE HIKING THE CINQUE TORRI - STEP BY STEP GUIDE
Parking & Taking the chair lift
The day we did this hike, the access road to Rifugio 5 Torri was closed, so our only option was to park next to Baita dei Dones and take the chair lift to Rifugio Scoiattoli. We arrived at the parking lot a bit before 9 am, and even though there were still places left, it was filling up fast.
Getting the chairlift was very easy. There was no waiting line to buy the tickets, so we bought our return tickets and hopped in the first lift that passed. They were for 4 people, but they are so frequent that we got one just for us. The ride is fast, in 5 minutes, you’re at Rifugio Scoiattoli and ready to start your hike.
The World War I Trenches
The Cinque Torri trail is a loop so it doesn’t matter which way you decide to do it. We did it in clockwise direction but you can also do it the other way around. And in all honesty, you don’t need to get too obsessed with following the correct trail. The whole Cinque Torri area is full of smaller side trails and deviations that you can take to get different views. It is basically a small maze of trails, just follow your gut and choose the ones you find interesting.
If you decide to the hike in clockwise direction like we did, the first thing you will see are the World War I trenches. From Rifugio Scoiattoli, follow the big gravel trail towards the Cinque Torri. On the left you will see the beautiful Tofana di Rozes and Laguzuoi peaks and on your right, the Cinque Torri.
Just a few meters into your hike, you will find the first entry to the trenches on your left. It is actually quite interesting to visit the trenches, there are plenty of informative signs that you can read and learn about the conditions soldiers faced here and what events of the war took place here. Plus the views from the trenches to Tofana di Rozes and the nearby peaks are just amazing. We had a very nice time exploring this area.
Hiking around the Cinque Torri
Once you’re done exploring the World War I trenches, you can either continue your hike and hike around the Cinque Torri or you can choose to cross in between the towers. We chose to hike around them first, and once we were done with the loop did a short add-on to our hike to explore the trail in between the towers.
The trail hiking around the towers is amazing, you have beautiful views of the surrounding peaks and the Cinque Torri from different angles. This part of the trail is mostly downhill until you reach Rifugio 5 Torri, but the trail does narrow down a bit on the back side of the towers. It is still a very easy trail and the most exposed areas have protective fences.
We were also almost completely alone in this part since most people just focuse on the World War I trenches and the front side of the towers. We just took it slow and stopped to enjoy the views and mid-morning snack.
Uphill from Rifugio 5 Torri back to Rifugio Scoiattoli
The “toughest” part of the hike is the part between Rifugio 5 Torri and Rifugio Scoiattoli since it is a constant uphill. But don’t worry it is totally doable. The first part of the trail was most downhill so it was only obvious that at some point we would have to go uphill again.
This part of the hike has also beautiful views of Passo Giau, Lastoni dei Formin and Croda da Lago mountain peaks.
Once back at Rifugio Scoiattoli, we took some extra time to rest and admire the views of the Cinque Torri before continuing with our day.
The chair lift back to the parking lot
Once you’re done with the area, you can take the chair lift back to Baita dei Dones and your car.
OTHER THINGS TO DO AFTER CINQUE TORRI
The area around the Cinque Torri is just beautiful so you should definitely consider doing some additional hikes around this area. Here is what I would recommend:
- Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau. The hike to these two rifugios starts at Rifugio Scoiattoli so if you are up for a little adventure, you should consider hiking up to Rifugio Nuvolau for some of the most beautiful views you will see in the Dolomites. The hike to reach rifugio Averau is uphill but along a wide-safe trail. However, the hike between Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau is more exposed and strenous. Only attempt this hike if you are comfortable with heights.
- Lago Limedes Hike. The hike to Lago Limedes is easy but beautiful. You will be able to enjoy stunning views of the peaks that surround Pazzo Falzarego.
- Lagozuoi Tunnels. Another option is to take the Lagozuoi Cable Car and hike down along the Lagozuoi tunnels, which were also used during World War I. You will need a head lamp if you are planning to do this hike.
CINQUE TORRI: FAQ
IS CINQUE TORRI HIKE WORTH IT?
Absolutely! This hike offers amazing views of the Dolomites with very little effort. It is definitely a must-do hike to add in your Dolomites itinerary.
IS CINQUE tORRI SUITABLE FOR KIDS?
Yes, this hike is very easy with minimum elevation gain. The were many families with kids on this trail.
WHEN IS THE BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY TO VISIT CINQUE tORRI?
I would recommend starting early to avoid crowds. We arrived just before 9:00 and the trails were not very crowded.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR CINQUE TORRI?
Cinque Torri is located near Cortina d’Ampezzo, so the most ideal place to look for your accommodation would be this town. However, prices are a bit high in Cortina, so if you’re traveling on a lower budget or you just want to save some money, then I would recommend looking for accommodation just outside Cortina.
Hotel Al Sasso di Stria
Hotel Al Sasso di Stria offers family rooms with private bathrooms and is conveniently located in the Falzarego Pass. You will only have to drive a few minutes down the road to reach Baita dei Dones.
Photos from Booking.com
Hotel Croda Rossa
Hotel Croda Rossa is a charming hotel with a great location. The hotel is located on a beautiful valley with great views of Monte Cristallo. Rooms were spacious and comfortable. The garden is perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking in the Dolomites.
We stayed at this hotel for 6 nights and had a fantastic day here. The only downside to this hotel was the food which was not very good. We solved it by having dinner either at Cortina or Dobbiaco.
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the star next to the map title to add this map to your google maps account. To view it on your phone while traveling, open Google Maps, click on the menu button and go to “Your Places”, click on Maps and you’ll see this map in your list.
HIKE SUMMARY AND INFOGRAPHIC
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Cinque Torri hike is one of those rare experiences in the Dolomites that combines incredible scenery with easy accessibility. The dramatic rock towers, wide alpine views, and peaceful meadows make this walk feel special from start to finish. So make sure to include this hike in your itinerary. You will not regret it!
Have you done the Cinque Torri hike? Did you enjoy it? I would love to hear from you in the comments section.
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