Auronzo di Cadore

Updated October 2026 · Sources: Municipality of Auronzo di Cadore (auronzo.info), Consorzio Turistico Tre Cime Dolomiti, Dolomiti Bus, ISTAT, Wikipedia

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Auronzo di Cadore is a village in the Dolomites, in the province of Belluno, Veneto, at about 865 m above sea level (866 m at the town hall). It sits in the Cadore area, along the Ansiei valley, on the shore of Lake Santa Caterina. Around 3,000 people live here, but the municipality is huge: 220 km² stretching up to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks) and including Lake Misurina.

Driving distances: about 15 km to Calalzo railway station, 25 km to Misurina, 35 km to Cortina d’Ampezzo and 58 km to Belluno. Treviso airport is about 126 km away and Venice Marco Polo about 137 km, roughly a two-hour drive.

Why come here? Auronzo is the closest and more affordable base for the south side of the Three Peaks, which lie within the municipality. In summer you get the lake, the cycle path to Misurina, the Somadida forest and trails for every level. In winter there is a small ski area on Monte Agudo, covered by the Dolomiti Superski pass, plus cross-country skiing at Palus San Marco and Misurina. The village is quiet and stretches along the lake: don’t expect Cortina’s glamour.

The centre: Villagrande and Villapiccola

The village runs for a few kilometres along the south shore of the lake and is made up of several hamlets. The two historic ones are Villagrande and Villapiccola: each had its own “Regola”, the old community that managed forests and pastures in common. The Regole were re-established in 1996 and still exist.

In Villagrande stands the parish church of Santa Giustina, from the 18th century, one of the largest churches in the area, with frescoes by the Belluno painter Giovanni De Min. In Villapiccola, San Lucano is a neoclassical church with an octagonal plan and works by De Min and the sculptor Valentino Panciera Besarel. Walking between the two, you pass Cadore houses with wooden balconies.

Lake Santa Caterina

Lake Auronzo, or Lake Santa Caterina, is a reservoir created by the dam on the Ansiei, completed in 1932. It is about 2 km long and an emerald green that shifts with the light. A mostly flat path goes almost all the way round: fine with children and pushchairs.

In summer you can hire kayaks, rowing boats and pedal boats, and the lake hosts international canoe-kayak races. In the Transacqua area, the “Spiaggia delle Dolomiti” lido, reopened in 2020, has an outdoor pool, a playground and a bar looking towards the Three Peaks. For a swim, the pool is the sensible choice: the lake water is cold and its level varies, because the reservoir is used for hydroelectric power.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks)

The border between Veneto and South Tyrol runs right along the crest of the Three Peaks: the south side, with Rifugio Auronzo (2,333 m) and the road up to it, belongs to Auronzo. Cima Grande is 2,999 m high. From the village to the hut is about 33 km: drive up towards Misurina, then take the toll road.

Since 2025 the road can only be used with an online booking linked to your number plate. In 2026 it cost €40 per car, €26 per motorbike and €60 per camper van, valid for 12 hours; Auronzo residents pay €5. Book through the municipality’s Tre Cime parking portal. The road is open from late May to October, snow permitting. Without a car, take the Dolomiti Bus shuttle from Misurina (see How to get there).

The Three Peaks loop starts at the hut: about 9.5 km, about 400 m of ascent, 3–4 hours. Full details in our guide to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Misurina and its lake

Misurina is a hamlet of Auronzo, about 25 km from the centre on the SS48bis. The lake lies at 1,754 m and is the largest natural lake in Cadore: the flat walk around it takes 30–45 minutes. In 1956 it hosted the Olympic speed skating. Since 2022 a breach in the south bank has been lowering the water level.

Just above is Lake Antorno (1,866 m), where the Three Peaks road begins. Everything else is in our guide to Lake Misurina.

The Cadini di Misurina

The Cadini are the cluster of spires between Misurina and the Three Peaks, also in Auronzo’s territory. The highest summit, Cadin di San Lucano, reaches 2,839 m. The most photographed viewpoint is on trail 117 from Rifugio Auronzo towards Rifugio Fonda Savio: about 30–45 minutes one way, but the last stretch is on an exposed spur. Skip it in the rain or if you suffer from vertigo.

Somadida forest and Palus San Marco

About 15 km from the village, on the road to Misurina, lies Palus San Marco (about 1,100 m). This is the start of the Somadida nature reserve: 1,676 hectares of fir and larch at the foot of the Sorapiss and Marmarole. From the 15th century it was the forest of the Republic of Venice, which cut timber here for its ships until 1797. It has been a nature reserve since 1972 and is managed by the Carabinieri biodiversity unit.

Entry is free. On the valley floor there are easy waymarked trails, suitable for children, a forest museum and a small “forest library”. In winter the area becomes the cross-country skiing centre.

Ansiei valley, Val Marzon and Val Giralba

The Ansiei valley is the main valley: it runs down from Misurina to Auronzo and on towards the Piave. Two wilder side valleys branch off from the village. Val Marzon climbs towards the south side of the Three Peaks: the road ends at Cason de la Crosèra (1,198 m), then you continue on foot. Val Giralba, above the hamlet of Giralba, leads to Rifugio Carducci (see the summer section).

These valleys see few walkers: take a hiking map and check trail conditions before setting off.

Palazzo Corte Metto museum

In the centre, on Via Dante, the Palazzo Corte Metto museum covers the area over several floors: nature and geology, archaeology, minerals and mining. The archaeology section shows finds from the Monte Calvario sanctuary, discovered in 1999, including metal sheets inscribed in the Venetic alphabet. One floor belongs to the Alpini, with First World War memorabilia. Check opening times before you go.

Auronzo is not a big ski resort. It has a small area on Monte Agudo, above the village, suited to families and beginners. Together with Misurina it is part of the Cortina d’Ampezzo ski area within Dolomiti Superski: with the area pass or the full Dolomiti Superski pass you can also ski Cortina, 35 km away.

Monte Agudo

The base is at Taiarezze, at about 880 m, near the lake, with a large car park. There are three lifts:

• Taiarezze–Malon detachable four-seater chairlift, for skiers and pedestrians;
• Malon–Monte Agudo two-seater chairlift, which in winter only carries pedestrians up to the hut, just under 1,600 m;
• Ansiei drag lift, with the beginners’ area (magic carpet and baby lift).

The runs go down through the forest; there is also a very steep black run. The advertised kilometres vary a lot from source to source: think of Agudo as a half day or a relaxed full day, not a ski week. The season usually runs from late December to March. 2026/27 prices and dates for Auronzo had not yet been published at the time of this update: check the Consorzio Tre Cime Dolomiti website. If you plan to ski several areas, the Dolomiti Superski pass is the one to compare.

Misurina and Cortina

Misurina has the Col de Varda chairlift and the Loita nursery area, with runs between about 1,756 and 2,106 m facing the Three Peaks. For big linked terrain, head to Cortina d’Ampezzo (Faloria, Tofane, Cinque Torri), about 45 minutes away. The Auronzo Misurina ski school has offices in the village and in Misurina, and there are rental shops in the village.

Cross-country, snowshoeing and skating

Cross-country skiing is Auronzo’s strong point. At Palus San Marco, in the Somadida forest, there are several loops of different difficulty, from a short loop floodlit in the evening to more technical trails. In Misurina the loops start from the Loita area, higher up and with more reliable snow. On snowshoes you can walk in the Ansiei valley, around Misurina, at Col de Varda and towards Monte Piana.

On skating: Auronzo’s old ice stadium, closed for years, was demolished in May 2026 and the new one is still only a project. Lake Antorno in Misurina is used for skating when it is cold enough.

Hiking

• Three Peaks loop: from Rifugio Auronzo, about 9.5 km and 400 m of ascent, 3–4 hours. Easy but very busy: start early.
• Monte Agudo and Col dei Buoi: the two chairlifts take you to the Monte Agudo hut in just over 15 minutes. From there a trail leads to Col dei Buoi (1,802 m): about 14 km return, about 600 m of up and down, graded E (hiking).
• Rifugio Carducci (2,297 m): up Val Giralba, about 4.5 hours of ascent. A long day for fit hikers. The hut is open from late June to September.
• Somadida forest: easy woodland trails, ideal with children or when the weather is bad up high.
• Cadini viewpoint and Monte Piana: from Misurina and Rifugio Auronzo; details in our Lake Misurina guide.

The Auronzo–Misurina cycle path

Opened in 2017, it is about 30 km long. The first section, from Auronzo to Palus San Marco, is easy: about 15 km with about 250 m of climbing along the Ansiei. From Palus to Misurina it gets steeper, with about 650 m of climbing: on an e-bike almost anyone can do it. The surface is a mix of tarmac and gravel.

With children

Besides the lake and the lido, Monte Agudo has the Fun Bob: an alpine coaster about 3 km long that starts from the middle station of the Taiarezze–Malon chairlift at 1,361 m and takes 12–15 minutes. Children under 8 ride with an adult. In summer there is also an adventure park.

Climbing, events and sport

The walls of the Cadini, Popèna and Three Peaks are among the most famous in the Dolomites: if you lack experience, hire a mountain guide. Auronzo has hosted the Giro d’Italia several times and Lazio’s summer training camps. Every year there is the Camignada poi sie refuge mountain race, first run in 1973, and in July the San Lucano festival in Villapiccola.

July and August are the busiest months: all huts open, buses and shuttles at full service, but also crowds at the Three Peaks. June and September are the best months for hiking, with fewer people; in early June there can still be snow up high. Late December to March is for skiing and cross-country. In October and November many hotels are closed.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics held no events in Auronzo: in this area, competitions were in Cortina. On 4 March 2026 the Paralympic flame’s stage to Venice started from Auronzo.

• Lake Misurina (about 25 km): the lake, Lake Antorno, Monte Piana and the Three Peaks shuttle.
• Cortina d’Ampezzo (about 35 km): the town centre, the Tofane, Cinque Torri, the Falzarego pass.
• Pieve di Cadore (about 20 km): Titian’s birthplace, in the heart of Cadore.
• Sesto (about 35 km via the Monte Croce Comelico pass): Val Fiscalina and the north side of the Three Peaks.
• Dobbiaco (about 43 km): Val Pusteria, Lake Dobbiaco and the cycle path to Lienz.
• Lake Braies (about 60 km): a full day, best early in the morning.
• Belluno (about 58 km): the provincial capital, its old town and the Belluno Dolomites.

Auronzo has hotels in every category, apartments and B&Bs. Prices are generally lower than in Cortina or South Tyrol. Pick your area based on your plans:

• The centre (Villagrande and Villapiccola): shops, bars and restaurants on foot, bus stop nearby. The best choice without a car.
• On the lake and towards Taiarezze: for families and skiers, close to the Monte Agudo chairlift, the lido and the cycle path.
• Misurina: for daily hikes at the Three Peaks without 25 km of driving. Few hotels, more expensive, and isolated in the evening.
• Towards Giralba and Cima Gogna: quiet, budget apartments, car needed.

In August and over Christmas, book early: Auronzo fills up with Italian families.

By car

From Venice and Treviso, take the A27 to its end at the Pian di Vedoia exit. Then the SS51 Alemagna road to Tai di Cadore, the SS51bis towards Auronzo–Comelico and, at Lozzo di Cadore, the SS52 to Auronzo: about an hour (about 47 km) from the motorway exit. From Cortina, cross the Tre Croci pass and drive down the Ansiei valley (about 35 km, 45 minutes). From the Brenner, exit at Bressanone/Brixen, follow Val Pusteria to Dobbiaco, then Carbonin, Misurina and Auronzo: about two hours from the toll booth.

By train

The nearest station is Calalzo–Pieve di Cadore–Cortina, about 15 km away, with trains from Venice and Padua (from Udine, change at Conegliano). Timetables on Trenitalia.

By bus

From Calalzo, Dolomiti Bus services connect with the trains: about 25 minutes to Auronzo. In summer and at Christmas, line 50 links Auronzo with Misurina, where the shuttle to Rifugio Auronzo starts (from 30 May 2026, day ticket €10). In summer 2026, from 19 June to 9 September, there was also a direct Venice–Auronzo bus run by Cortina Express and Dolomiti Bus. Year-round, Cortina Express links Cadore with Venice airport. Current timetables on the Dolomiti Bus website.

By plane

The nearest airports are Treviso (about 126 km) and Venice Marco Polo (about 137 km), both served by flights from the UK and much of Europe. Innsbruck is about 180 km away, Verona 254 km and Munich about 300 km. From Venice airport you can hire a car or take the bus towards Cortina and Cadore; a private transfer is the fastest option if you are not driving.

Parking

In the village, parking is easy outside August. The Taiarezze chairlift base has a large car park that also works for the lake. In Misurina, car parks are paid in summer. For Rifugio Auronzo you need an online booking for the toll road: without it you won’t get through.

AURONZO DI CADORE Meteo