- Ascent
- 628 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 7.2 km
- max. gradient
- 19 %
- ø gradient
- 8.7 %
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo from Lago di Misurina is a category 2 climb of 7.2 km with 628 m of elevation gain at an average of 8.7 %, peaking at 19 %. After a steep first kilometre and two almost flat ones, the road climbs its last four kilometres at over 12 % on average to 2,320 m below the three peaks. It is the highest and steepest of the eight Dolomites climbs in our list.
Climb Goals: Pure Data Edition DIN A1 poster
Bucket-List Print: Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The climb to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo is short and very steep at the end. From Lago di Misurina it is 7.2 kilometres and 628 metres of climbing up to 2,320 metres. After a steep first kilometre and two almost flat ones come four kilometres at over 12 % on average. Among the eight Dolomites climbs in our list it has the highest finishing point and is the steepest climb.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo at a glance
The key figures from Lago di Misurina: category 2, 7.2 km, 628 m of climbing, 8.7 % on average and 19 % at its steepest. The road ends at the Rifugio Auronzo at 2,320 m below the three peaks. In our data start and finish are both at Lago di Misurina, so the way back is the same road. In our list the Tre Cime belong to the Dolomites region.
The climb from Lago di Misurina
The first kilometre already averages around 9.5 %, followed by two kilometres that are flat or even drop slightly. This break is deceptive, because it pulls the average down. That is why the 8.7 % in the fact box is not a good guide for the second half. Recover on the flat kilometres instead of pushing the pace and you are riding it right.
From kilometre four the actual climb begins: four kilometres averaging a little over 12 %, none of them below 10 %. The steepest kilometre sits at around 14 %, and the 19 % in the fact box is a short spike, not a kilometre average. There are no flat stretches left on this final part. The finish at 2,320 m comes right at the end of this ramp.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
Among the eight Dolomites climbs in the list, the Tre Cime have the highest finishing point, the steepest average and the highest maximum gradient, while also being the shortest and the one with the least climbing. In the full list only eight climbs have a higher maximum gradient than its 19 %, and its 8.7 % average ranks 14th. For comparison: the Passo di Giau has 780 m of climbing at 7.3 % on average, the Passo di Pordoi 647 m at 7 %. The Tre Cime manage almost the same climbing as the Pordoi over two kilometres less.
Practical tips
For the last four kilometres at over 12 % on average with a 19 % spike, the lowest gear your bike offers is not a bad idea. Ride the steep first kilometre and the flat ones after it calmly, the strength is needed higher up. At 2,320 m it is noticeably cooler than at the lake even in summer, so a windproof layer for the steep descent belongs in the jersey pocket. Take care on the way down because of the gradient, especially on the upper four kilometres.
