I live in northern Italy and have visited Cinque Torri multiple times - including once completely by accident, at sunset, with no one else around. That visit changed how I think about this place entirely. Here's everything I know & recommend for your own visit!

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Cinque Torri is one of those Dolomites destinations that looks incredible in photos but is genuinely even better in person. This guide covers the 3 best ways to get there (with real logistics, parking info, and seasonal warnings), what the WWI open-air museum is actually like, the best viewpoints, where to eat on the mountain, and the honest answer to whether it's worth your time (spoiler: it totally is).

Fun fact: my first visit to this incredible spot was a complete accident. I stumbled upon the access road to Rifugio Cinque Torri on a late summer evening, and decided to drive up without knowing exactly what was at the top. Turns out, it was the perfect spontaneous decision! I spent a good hour hiking around the top, and soaking in the sunset views at 5 Torri with no one else in sight. Bellissimo.

Quick answer to “is it worth it?”: Yes, Cinque Torri is absolutely worth it! Unlike some Dolomites "Instagram spots" that peak at the main viewpoint, Cinque Torri rewards wandering - the more you explore the rock formations and WWI trail network, the better it gets. Plan at least 2 hours on top for a relaxed and immersive experience.

Table of Contents

Introduction
A Brief History of Cinque Torri
Where is Cinque Torri?
How to Get to Cinque Torri (3 Best Ways)
What to See & Do at Cinque Torri
Where to Stay Near Cinque Torri
Cinque Torri Webcam
FAQ
Final Thoughts

A Brief History of Cinque Torri (There’s a Lot!)

Cinque Torri translates to "Five Towers" - though if you look closely at the cluster of limestone spires, you'll definitely be able to count more than five. The name refers to the five main pillars, but smaller formations are scattered all around them.

What makes Cinque Torri genuinely so interesting is that it was a frontline during World War I. From 1915 to 1917, Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces fought across this terrain at over 2,000 meters elevation. The trenches, bunkers, tunnels, and dugouts you can walk through today are largely original structures, restored and preserved as an open-air museum.

Standing inside one of those stone bunkers and looking out at the same view those soldiers had - the valley below, the limestone towers above - is a strange and moving experience. It's not the reason most people come to Cinque Torri, but it's often one of the parts they remember most. Or at least, that’s how it was for me.

Where is Cinque Torri?

Cinque Torri sits quite literally in the heart of the Dolomites, tucked between Falzarego Pass and Passo Giau in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. The nearest major town is Cortina d'Ampezzo, about 13 km away - which makes Cinque Torri an ideal half-day trip from Cortina, or a worthwhile stop if you're driving the famous Sella Ronda or Great Dolomites Road scenic routes.

From Cortina d'Ampezzo: 13 km, about 25 minutes. Follow the SR48 toward Falzarego Pass. The Bai de Dones chairlift parking lot will be on your right.

From Bolzano: About 120 km, 2 hours. Take the A22 north, then the SS242 through Val Gardena, over Passo Gardena, and along the Falzarego road toward Cortina.

From Venice: About 2.5–3 hours by car depending on traffic. Cinque Torri makes an amazing first stop if you're road-tripping into the Dolomites from the Veneto lowlands.

Map of Cinque Torri

Here's a quick visual of where Cinque Torri sits within the Dolomites, so that you can plan your itinerary accordingly.

Click on each pin for more information!

How to Get to Cinque Torri: 3 Best Ways

🚡 Option 1: Chairlift from Bai de Dones to Rifugio Scoiattoli (Best for Most People)

The Cinque Torri chairlift from the Bai de Dones parking lot is the fastest and most convenient way up. The ride takes about 10 minutes and drops you right at Rifugio Scoiattoli at 2,255 meters, a short walk from the main rock formations and trail network.

Good to know: The free parking lot at Bai de Dones fills up fast on summer weekends. There's overflow roadside parking along the SR48, but it can add walking time. In peak season, aim to arrive by 9:00am, when the chairlift opens, or you'll possibly be parking further away.

Chairlift details:

Tickets: €27.50 round-trip | €20.50 one-way
Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm daily
Season: Early June to early October
Parking: Free at Bai de Dones (Google Maps)
Chairlift location: Google Maps
Official schedule: 5torri.it

My honest opinion on the chairlift vs driving up: If you're visiting for a first time and want the easiest logistics, take the chairlift. But if you want fewer crowds and more flexibility on timing, especially if you want to be at the top before 9am or after 5pm, the drive-up road (Option 2) is worth keeping in mind.

🚗 Option 2: Drive Up (or Seasonal Shuttle) to Rifugio 5 Torri

This is the option I stumbled on by accident, and it honestly forever changed how I visit Cinque Torri.

From Falzarego Pass, there's a small access road on the left (when driving from Cortina) that winds steeply up to Rifugio 5 Torri - not quite to the same elevation where the chairlift drops you off, but pretty close. From the rifugio's parking area, the main viewpoints and trail network are less than 15 minutes on foot via path no. 439.

The road is gravel for the first five minutes, then fully paved. A standard two-wheel-drive car handles it just fine. I've driven it in a small rental with no issues. But it is steep and narrow in places, so take it slowly.

The August catch: In August, the road closes to private traffic from 9:30am to 3:30pm. During those hours, a paid shuttle runs from Falzarego Pass for €8 per person each way (shuttle stop location). Outside of August, the road is open all day to private vehicles.

Parking: Roadside dirt spaces outside the rifugio gate. Limited, maybe 15–20 cars maximum. They fill up by 9:00am on weekends, often earlier. If you want this option in peak season, arrive before 8:30am or plan on using the shuttle.

Why this option is worth knowing: Because it lets you visit at times the chairlift doesn't run! Including early morning for sunrise, or late evening for golden hour. My first visit was an early summer evening drive-up at around 6pm, and almost nobody else was there. The chairlift was already closed, and I think we spotted maybe 3 other visitors in the distance. That spontaneous visit remains one of my favorite Dolomites memories.

Access road location: Google Maps | Rifugio 5 Torri: Google Maps

🥾 Option 3: Hike from Bai de Dones

For those who want to earn the views, the hiking trail from the Bai de Dones parking lot (where the chairlift departs) up to Rifugio Scoiattoli is a solid half-day option.

Distance: ~4.5 miles as a loop
Elevation gain: ~1,300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Next to the chairlift station at Bai de Dones

Full trail details and a downloadable map: AllTrails - Bai de Dones to Cinque Torri

My honest take: The most spectacular scenery is right at the top, and this option means you burn 1.5–2 hours simply getting there. Unless hiking is your primary goal, I'd use the chairlift or drive-up for at least one direction, and hike the other direction if you want a workout.

What to Actually Do at Cinque Torri (and How Long Each Takes)

1. The Rock Formations Themselves: Start Here

The towers are extraordinary up close. What looks like a tidy cluster from a distance turns out to be a labyrinth of rock corridors, hidden passages, and constantly shifting perspectives as you move between them. Don't just take a photo from the first viewpoint and leave - walk all the way around the formation. The light changes dramatically depending on where you are and what time of day it is.

The main loop trail around the towers ("Giro Cinque Torri") is only 1.3 miles with about 400 feet of elevation, easy-moderate, packed gravel, no technical difficulty. Plan 45–60 minutes at an easy pace, more if you stop to photograph.

Trail details: AllTrails - Giro Cinque Torri

Starting points:

From the chairlift: Start at Rifugio Scoiattoli
From the drive-up road: Start at Rifugio 5 Torri and follow path no. 439

2. The WWI Open-Air Museum: Don't Skip This

During WWI, Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces occupied these towers and the surrounding slopes simultaneously. The terrain you're hiking through was an active battlefield. The preserved trenches are not reconstructions, they're the actual stonework built by soldiers in 1915 and 1916, restored but fundamentally original.

There are four marked museum routes available, ranging from about 20 minutes to 2 hours of walking. My recommendation: at minimum, do the shortest route just to get inside the trenches. If you have time, the longer routes take you further into the cliff faces and simultaneously, further into the history.

The museum is free and self-guided. Informational panels along each route explain the history in Italian, German and English. More details at the official WWI Museum page.

3. Photography of the Towers

The best photography timing and positions at Cinque Torri change completely with the light:

Morning/before 10am: The towers are perfectly positioned for an epic sunrise photo session, since the sun will rise from directly behind them - if you’re standing in the most common photo position near the top of the chairlift.

Late evening/golden hour: The iconic side of the towers glow orange-amber. Shadows become dramatic. This is when the formations look most sculptural and otherworldly. If you can be here around 7-9pm in summer, this is the truly magical sunset timeframe.

Midday: Harsh light, but that doesn’t mean it’s skippable. Embrace the intense shadows and vibrant blue skies - that’s exactly how the towers are seen by most visitors, anyways!

4. The Via Ferratas (For Experienced Climbers)

Cinque Torri has several via ferrata routes built directly into the towers - some of them following the same routes WWI soldiers used to move between positions. These range from beginner-accessible to genuinely demanding. Details and difficulty ratings are on the official via ferrata page. Bring your own harness, helmet, and via ferrata set, or rent equipment in Cortina d'Ampezzo beforehand.

5. Refuel at Rifugio Scoiattoli or Rifugio 5 Torri

Treat your taste buds to some traditional cuisine at one of the mountain huts next to Cinque Torri. At Rifugio Scoiattoli (right at the top of the chairlift), you'll find an incredible menu with classic alpine dishes, homemade pasta, and even an extensive drinks list. Rifugio 5 Torri is right next to the parking lot mentioned in the drive-up access option, again with a wonderful menu based on local cuisine.

Where to Stay Near Cinque Torri

Sleep On the Mountain: The Rifugios

Staying overnight at Rifugio Scoiattoli or Rifugio 5 Torri is genuinely one of the most immersive ways to experience Cinque Torri. You wake up at elevation the early morning light on the towers is extraordinary, and the daytime crowds haven't arrived yet. Both rifugios have simple dormitory-style rooms and private options. Book well in advance, they fill up extremely fast for summer hiking season.

Staying at Rifugio 5 Torri also means you can use their private car park, which solves the entire morning parking problem.

Stay in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina is 25 minutes from Cinque Torri by car and gives you easy access to several other major Dolomites locations - Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Misurina, and Passo Giau are all within day-trip range. The town itself is beautiful and extremely well-equipped, with fantastic restaurants, rental shops, and a lively main street.

Browse Cortina hotels here:

Cinque Torri Webcam

Check weather conditions before heading out! The live webcam from Rifugio Scoiattoli shows current weather and visibility: Cinque Torri Webcam

FAQ

Q: What’s the best season to visit Cinque Torri?

A: The best time is from June to October when the trails and the 5 Torri chairlift are open and accessible.

Q: Is Cinque Torri worth visiting?

A: Yes! And I say that as someone who lives in the area and has been many times. The WWI museum alone sets it apart from every other scenic viewpoint in the region. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to explore the towers and the surrounding landscapes fully.

Q: How long should I spend at Cinque Torri?

A: Absolute minimum, in my opinion, is 2 hours. But 3–4 hours is more realistic if you want to walk the loop trail, spend any time in the WWI museum, and eat at one of the rifugios.

Q: Is Cinque Torri better than Tre Cime di Lavaredo?

A: They're genuinely different experiences. Tre Cime is more dramatic and famous - the silhouette is one of the most recognizable in the Alps. But the trail is much more crowded and doesn't have Cinque Torri's WWI history. Cinque Torri is often more accessible (easier parking, more route options, chairlift available) and feels less overrun. If you're in the area for multiple days, do both. If you're choosing one: Tre Cime for the pure mountain drama vs. Cinque Torri for a more varied experience.

Q: Can I visit Cinque Torri without a car?

A: It's more difficult, but possible from Cortina d'Ampezzo. In summer, Cortina operates a shuttle bus service to the Falzarego Pass area - check the Cortina bus schedules for current routes and timings. From Falzarego Pass you can connect to the August shuttle up to Rifugio 5 Torri, or walk the short distance to the chairlift at Bai de Dones.

Q: When does the Cinque Torri chairlift run?

A: The chairlift (5 Torri chairlift from Bai de Dones) operates early June to early October, 9:00am–5:00pm daily. Check 5torri.it for the exact seasonal opening and closing dates before your visit, as they can shift slightly year to year.

Q: Is there parking at Cinque Torri?

A: Yes, but it gets a tiny bit complicated in peak season. The main free parking lot at Bai de Dones (chairlift base) fills quickly on busy summer weekends. Weekdays are a much better bet here. The drive-up road to Rifugio 5 Torri has extremely limited roadside parking, and is closed to private traffic in August from 9:30am–3:30pm.

Q: How difficult is the hike at Cinque Torri?

A: The main loop trail at the top ("Giro Cinque Torri") is easy, at 1.3 miles, ~400 feet elevation gain, packed gravel paths, no technical climbing required. If you want more of a challenge, the via ferrata routes on the towers themselves range from beginner to advanced.

Q: What equipment should I bring?

A: Wear sturdy hiking boots, bring weather-appropriate clothing (a lightweight jacket is always a good idea), and don’t forget your camera for the panoramic views.

Before You Go: Three Things to Remember

Parking is the biggest trip-killer. The free lot at Bai de Dones is genuinely well-sized, but on a summer Saturday it can fill up way sooner than expected. Plan your arrival (and your coffee intake for an early morning wake-up) accordingly!

The WWI museum makes Cinque Torri different from every other Dolomites viewpoint. Don't skip it thinking it's a detour. It's the thing that turns this beautiful hike into a genuinely unique experience.

Late afternoon / evening light on the towers is extraordinary. If your schedule allows any flexibility, being at the top during golden hour and sunset is arguably one of the most beautiful things you’ll see in the Dolomites. The chairlift closes at 5pm, so if you want to stay for golden hour you have two options: take the chairlift up + hike back down, or drive up and drive back down on the Rifugio 5 Torri access road.

Buon viaggio!
Have a nice trip!