Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Dolomites): online reservation obligatory to drive to Rifugio Auronzo car park

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo toll road that leads from Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo reopens this Sunday after having been closed in winter. Several important changes have been announced for the 2025 season, designed to address traffic and overtourism issues, which in August peak at 7,000-8,000 people per day.

The most significant update concerns access from the toll booth at Lake Antorno, the small lake 2km north of the more famous Lake Misurina: as per 2025, car access to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo parking lot will be possible only with prior online reservation and payment via the municipality of Auronzo’s website.

As stated on the website, this change is part of the "is part of the new mobility management system, designed to protect the environment, improve the visitor experience and optimize flows towards one of the most iconic wonders of the Dolomites." An interactive calendar with available dates and times, updated in real time, is now live on the site. While many suggest booking well in advance, especially for peak months such as July and August, reservations are currently only possible one month ahead.

The second major update involves prices and ticket duration: the fee increases from €30 to €40 for cars, and from €45 to €60 for caravans and motorhomes, while the ticket’s validity drops from 24 to 12 hours, starting from the access time selected by the buyer during the booking process. Those intending to stay longer — such as most mountaineers — will need to book a second 12-hour slot, subject to availability. "Failure to book the additional parking period," the website warns, "will result in the application of a penalty consisting of the payment of the entire daily period charged (corresponding to twice the single parking rate), calculated according to the standard tariff of the current Parking."

Alternatives to driving private cars include hiking up or using public transport departing from Auronzo, Dobbiaco, and Cortina.

In short, while it’s clear that the municipality urgently needed to address the traffic congesting the only road leading to the Tre Cime, it’s equally clear that these first few days will serve as a critical test for the upcoming summer season.

For further information and Tre Cime di Lavaredo toll road booking: auronzo.info/en/parking-tre-cime-di-lavaredo/