Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the free car park at Bai de Dones, on the road from Cortina to the Passo Falzarego, a path climbs south beside the chairlift to Rifugio Scoiattoli, 2,255 m. From the hut the path round the towers runs east below Torre Grande, 2,361 m, the highest, to Rifugio Cinque Torri, then back west along the north side of the group, past the Torre Inglese and through the open-air museum, where Italian trenches and gun positions of the First World War have been restored. From Rifugio Scoiattoli return the same way to the car park.
It is 5.5 km with 470 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Moderate: a steady climb on a stony path, then rougher paths among the rocks and trenches.
This is a summer walk. The two huts open from mid-June to the end of September, and there is nowhere to shelter outside that season; snow lies here through the winter. The towers are climbing crags: stay on the path below them. The Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri open-air museums together form one of the largest First World War museums, within a 5 km radius.
The car park at Bai de Dones is large and free. In summer the chairlift from Bai de Dones saves the climb to Rifugio Scoiattoli; Cortina's lifts ran from 6 June to 18 October in 2026.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- A cluster of limestone towers above Cortina; the highest, Torre Grande, is 2,361 m
- Italian trenches and gun posts of the First World War have been restored as an open-air museum among the towers
- Rifugio Scoiattoli was built in 1969 by the mountain guide Lorenzo Lorenzi
- A chairlift runs from Bai de Dones to Rifugio Scoiattoli in summer
Summits on the way
- Torre Lusy 2,257 m · passed close by
- Torre Quarta Alta 2,240 m · passed close by
- Torre Inglese 2,240 m · passed close by
- Torre Quarta Bassa 2,220 m · passed close by
- Torre del Barancio 2,257 m · passed close by
- Torre Latina 2,300 m · passed close by
- Torre Romana 2,288 m · passed close by
- Torre Grande 2,361 m · passed close by
Getting there
Start: Bai de Dones car park · Free parking. 46.51882, 12.03741
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Dolomites: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
