Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lake Braies from San Candido
Last updated: July 2026 · written by Anna, Boutique Hotel Zenana, San Candido
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks) and Braies Lake are the two most famous places in the eastern Dolomites, and from San Candido you can visit both as day trips. You reach the Tre Cime by car or bus via Misurina, then walk the classic loop; you reach Braies Lake by train plus bus or by car, keeping in mind that in summer driving in is regulated. We host in the centre of San Candido, and these are the two outings our guests ask about most. Here’s how to actually get to each, when to go to avoid the crowds, and why it’s worth using the town as a base instead of sleeping in the middle of it.
| Place | How to get there from San Candido | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Car or bus via Misurina, then on foot | Toll road up to Rifugio Auronzo |
| Braies Lake | Train + bus, or by car | In summer, driving in needs a booking |
Getting to the Tre Cime
The usual way is to drive to Misurina and then up the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo, where the trails begin: from there the Three Peaks are right in front of you. From San Candido it’s about a 40-minute drive. The road is paid (around 40 euro for 12 hours) and requires a compulsory booking; it fills up early on peak summer days, so set off in the morning. In summer there are also seasonal buses running toward Misurina and the hut, which spare you the hairpins and the search for parking.
There’s also the hikers’ way in: from Val Campo di Dentro, which starts right at San Candido, you can walk up toward Rifugio Locatelli. It’s a long, demanding hike for strong walkers, but it’s the finest and most authentic way to arrive, from our side of the mountains.
The classic Tre Cime loop
From Rifugio Auronzo, the loop that circles the three towers is one of the most famous trails in the Alps. It’s about ten kilometres, three to four hours at a gentle pace, and it needs no mountaineering: it rises and falls easily, passing Rifugio Lavaredo and reaching Rifugio Locatelli, where you get the postcard view of the three north faces. Bring water, proper shoes and a warm layer, because the weather changes fast at altitude. It’s a walk worth a whole day.
Getting to Braies Lake
Braies Lake sits in the Prags (Braies) valley, which branches off Val Pusteria. By train you reach Villabassa or Monguelfo and take the bus up to the lake, which is the simplest option, especially in summer. By car it’s about 20 minutes, but be aware: in the peak summer months, driving into the valley is regulated, with a compulsory booking to enter between 9am and 4pm. The rules change from season to season, so check them before you go; often the bus is the easier choice anyway.
The lakeside walk and the boats
You don’t need to be a hiker at the lake: the loop around the water is a flat path of about three and a half kilometres, suitable for everyone, with emerald water and the wall of Croda del Becco mirrored in it. In summer you can hire the classic wooden rowing boats, the image the lake is famous for. The best light is early morning, before the coaches arrive, which is also the only time the place finds a little peace.
When to go, and going without a car
For both, the same rule applies: go early. Early morning and late afternoon are the loveliest and emptiest times; from mid-morning to mid-afternoon in high season it gets busy. Spring and autumn are quieter; in winter the Tre Cime are admired from the lower trails, while Braies Lake freezes into a white expanse.
The advantage of starting from San Candido is that you can do almost all of it by public transport: trains and buses take you toward Braies and, in summer, toward the Tre Cime, with no tolls or impossible car parks. For the rest of the town and its valleys, see things to do in San Candido; to plan the wider trip, our where to stay in the Dolomites guide.
Where to stay as a base
Sleeping in San Candido, rather than at a high-altitude car park, means coming back in the evening to a real town, with restaurants open and your room a short walk away. Zenana is a boutique bed & breakfast of ten rooms in a house from 1753 in the pedestrian centre, with home-made breakfast and covered parking included: you set off in the morning for the Tre Cime or Braies and return here. Have a look at our rooms or the current offers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo from San Candido?
Drive to Misurina and up the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo, where the trails start; in summer there are also seasonal buses. Strong walkers can hike in from Val Campo di Dentro, which begins at San Candido, up to Rifugio Locatelli.
Do you need to book to drive to Braies Lake?
In the peak summer months, driving into the Braies valley is regulated, with time slots and a compulsory booking during the middle of the day. The rules change each season, so check before you go. Arriving by train plus bus avoids these restrictions.
How far is Braies Lake from San Candido?
Braies Lake is a short trip from San Candido, reachable in a short time by car or by train plus bus. It’s a classic half-day outing, often combined with the flat walk around the lake.
Can you visit Tre Cime and Braies in winter?
In winter the Tre Cime toll road is closed and the peaks are admired from the lower trails, often on snowshoes; Braies Lake freezes into a white expanse, one of the season’s finest sights. Both remain day trips from San Candido.