The Three Peaks of Lavaredo

The Three Peaks of Lavaredo, rising on the border between the northernmost section of the province of Belluno and the holiday region Three Peaks/3 Zinnen in the Dolomites, in South Tyrol, are among the best known mountains in the Alps, the more photographed and represented on postcards and calendars. Easily accessible and of great historical value, these works of art created by nature have with their distinctive shape and dramatic beauty always attracted tourists, especially those who love nature and appreciate breathtaking landscapes. During the decades this has been a must destination for climbers, and in the last years many free climbers came here to put their abilities to the test. On the Three Peaks of Lavaredo there are in fact over 100 recorded routes.

You can easily reach the Three Peaks from the province of Belluno (Auronzo and Lake Misurina), and from South Tyrol (Sesto Valley and Dobbiaco). The massif was once in the municipality of Auronzo, but since 1752 it was divided in two parts, and now the northern section is in the territory of Dobbiaco, whereas the southern section still belongs to Auronzo.

The distinctive shape and color of the Three Peaks make this massif, which became a symbol for the Dolomites, easily recognizable: the "three dolostone fingers" stretching towards the sky are in fact a unique view. The massif comprises three peaks: Cima Grande (2999 m), Cima Ovest (2973 m) and Cima Piccola (2857 m).

The Three Peaks have often been at the center of tragic events. The massif became a strategic battlefield during the First World War, whereas in 1974 a Bell 206 crashed here. You can still see the trenches from the war period and a tombstone made with the helicopter blades.