Via Alpina Red R27

The Via Alpina Red R27 is a roughly 16-km point-to-point mountain stage in the Italian Dolomites of South Tyrol, linking the Drei-Zinnen-Hütte (Rifugio Locatelli, 2,405 m) with the Dürrensteinhütte (Rifugio Vallandro, 2,040 m). It gains about 600 m of ascent and is rated moderate, threading beneath the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo before reaching the alpine meadows of Prato Piazza.

About the Via Alpina Red R27

The Red Trail is the longest of the five Via Alpina routes, running 161 stages from Muggia near Trieste all the way to the Palais of Monaco. Created in 2000 by public and private organisations from all eight Alpine countries and funded by the EU between 2001 and 2008, the network promotes sustainable development across remote mountain areas. The international secretariat has been managed by CIPRA in Liechtenstein since January 2014.

Stage R27 sits in the heart of the Sesto and Braies Dolomites, a region inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2009. It connects two historic mountain refuges: the Drei-Zinnen-Hütte, perched directly opposite the north faces of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and the Dürrensteinhütte on the broad pasture plateau of Prato Piazza beneath the 2,839-m Picco di Vallandro. Following the preceding R26 stage, R27 carries walkers westward out of the high-traffic Tre Cime amphitheatre into quieter, pastoral terrain. The route is fully waymarked with the red-and-white CAI markings and the distinctive Via Alpina logo, and most of it follows well-graded mule tracks and former military supply roads dating to World War I, when this frontier saw fierce fighting between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces.

Because the stage links two staffed huts, R27 is an ideal single day on a longer Dolomites hut-to-hut traverse. It rewards walkers with constantly shifting perspectives: the sheer Tre Cime towers behind, the deep wooded trench of the Val di Landro below, and the rolling green Prato Piazza ahead, framed by the Croda Rossa d'Ampezzo. The exposure is modest by Dolomite standards, with no via ferrata required, making it accessible to fit hikers comfortable with sustained alpine walking.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below breaks the R27 stage into its natural segments. Distances and elevation figures are approximate, drawn from the official Via Alpina stage data and standard CAI signage; verify locally before setting out.

Allow 5 to 6 hours of walking time, plus generous stops. The first half is the most spectacular and the most crowded; the second half quiets noticeably once you leave the Tre Cime loop trails.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Tre Cime di Lavaredo (2,999 m) — The three vertical towers are among the most photographed summits in the Alps; R27 starts directly beneath their 500-m north walls.
• Drei-Zinnen-Hütte / Rifugio Locatelli (2,405 m) — A large CAI refuge with a panoramic terrace, the classic vantage point for sunrise on the Tre Cime.
• Laghi dei Piani — Two small alpine tarns just below the hut that mirror the surrounding peaks on calm mornings.
• Pian di Cengia / Büllelejochhütte (2,528 m) — A tiny historic hut and an optional high pass with views toward the Cadini di Misurina.
• World War I fortifications — Rock-cut tunnels, trenches and gun emplacements scattered across the saddles, remnants of the 1915–1917 front line.
• Lago di Landro / Dürrensee — A turquoise lake in the valley below, with the Cristallo massif rising behind it.
• Prato Piazza / Plätzwiese (1,991 m) — A vast high pasture plateau ringed by peaks, dotted with grazing cattle and old hay barns.
• Picco di Vallandro / Dürrenstein (2,839 m) — The pale dolomite peak looming over the finish; a popular non-technical summit add-on from the hut.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R27

The reliable hiking window runs from late June to late September, dictated by snow cover on the higher saddles and the opening dates of the staffed huts. The single best month is September: as of 2026 the crowds that swamp the Tre Cime in July and August thin out dramatically after the first week of the month, daytime temperatures remain pleasant at 12–18 °C in the valleys, and the air is at its clearest for long-range views toward the Cristallo and Croda Rossa.

July and August deliver the warmest, most stable weather but also the heaviest foot traffic and full huts that must be booked weeks ahead. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in midsummer, so an early start is essential. Late June can still hold residual snow on the Pian di Cengia saddle, while by early October the huts begin closing and the first snowfalls arrive above 2,000 m. Always check the South Tyrol avalanche and weather bulletins before a shoulder-season attempt, and carry traction aids if snow lingers on the higher sections.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The two stage-end huts anchor your options. The Drei-Zinnen-Hütte (Rifugio Locatelli) charges roughly €30–35 per person for a dormitory bunk, with half-board (dinner plus breakfast) typically €65–75. The Dürrensteinhütte (Rifugio Vallandro) on Prato Piazza is smaller and quieter, with similar dormitory rates around €28–32 and half-board near €60–70. CAI and Alpine Club members receive discounted overnight fees. Both huts are staffed only from roughly mid-June to early October and require advance booking in peak season. Wild camping is prohibited throughout this protected area; the nearest valley campsites lie around Toblach/Dobbiaco and Lago di Braies, with pitches from about €15 per person.

Getting There & Back

The natural gateway is Toblach/Dobbiaco, served by direct trains on the Fortezza–San Candido line from Bolzano (about 1 hour 40 minutes) and Innsbruck. From Dobbiaco station, summer SAD/Südtirolmobil buses run to Misurina and the Tre Cime toll road, from where a shuttle reaches the Rifugio Auronzo trailhead; allow 60–90 minutes total. The nearest major airports are Venice Marco Polo (about 2.5 hours by car) and Innsbruck (about 2 hours). The Prato Piazza finish is connected in summer by a restricted shuttle road down to Schluderbach/Carbonin on the SS51, with onward buses to Dobbiaco.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permit is required to walk R27, and the trail itself is free. The main cost is the Tre Cime toll road to Rifugio Auronzo, which charges roughly €30–45 per car in 2026 to manage congestion; arriving by public bus avoids this. The area lies within the Tre Cime Natural Park, where standard protected-area rules apply: stay on marked trails, take all litter out, and do not light fires.

Gear & Packing List

R27 is a non-technical but committing alpine day at altitude, so pack for rapidly changing weather. Essentials include sturdy B1-rated hiking boots with grippy soles, a waterproof shell jacket and trousers, an insulating midlayer, sun protection, at least 1.5 litres of water, and a head torch in case of delays. Trekking poles ease the descent into Val di Landro and the climb back to Prato Piazza. If you are walking R27 as part of a multi-day hut traverse, a lightweight pack makes a real difference over consecutive days — see our tested picks in Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026.

For a day stage like this, a 35–50 litre pack is ideal. Strong options from our database include the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider for fast-and-light hut hopping, the Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 for a comfortable day load, and the larger Osprey Atmos AG 50 if you are carrying gear for a full Via Alpina section. Fuel matters too: sustained climbing burns through energy quickly, and our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day explains how to plan trail snacks so you reach Rifugio Vallandro with energy to spare.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Red R27 whets your appetite for the Dolomites, the region's network of Alte Vie offers longer multi-day traverses through the same dramatic limestone scenery. These high routes link staffed huts across several days and range from moderate walking to exposed via ferrata, so choose according to your experience.

• Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2 (Italy), 185 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - X tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (Italy), 140 km

For a contrasting alpine experience further afield, the cross-border Theth to Valbona trail in Albania delivers a similarly hut-supported day through the Accursed Mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R27?
September is the single best month. The summer crowds around the Tre Cime thin out after the first week, daytime valley temperatures stay pleasant at 12–18 °C, and visibility is at its sharpest. July and August are warmer and more stable but very busy, while the huts close from early October. Late June may still hold snow on the higher saddles.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R27?
The stage is rated moderate. It involves about 600 m of ascent over roughly 16 km on well-graded mule tracks and old military roads, with no via ferrata or technical scrambling required. The main challenges are altitude, the length of a full mountain day, and exposure to fast-changing weather. Fit hikers comfortable with sustained alpine walking will manage it comfortably.

How long does the R27 stage take per day?
R27 is designed as a single day stage of about 16 km, taking most walkers 5 to 6 hours of moving time plus stops. Starting early from Rifugio Locatelli lets you enjoy the Tre Cime views before the crowds arrive and reach the Dürrensteinhütte well ahead of typical afternoon thunderstorms common in midsummer.

What accommodation is available on the route?
The stage runs between two staffed CAI huts. Dormitory beds at the Drei-Zinnen-Hütte cost roughly €30–35, and at the Dürrensteinhütte around €28–32, with half-board adding €30–40. Both are open from about mid-June to early October and need advance booking in peak season. Wild camping is banned; valley campsites near Dobbiaco and Lago di Braies are the nearest alternatives.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees for R27?
No hiking permit is required and the trail is free to walk. The only significant cost is the Tre Cime toll road to the Rifugio Auronzo trailhead, charging roughly €30–45 per car in 2026; travelling by public bus from Dobbiaco avoids this. The route lies in the Tre Cime Natural Park, where you must stay on marked trails and pack out all waste.

For full stage data, hut contacts and updated waymarking, consult the official Via Alpina portal at via-alpina.org and the South Tyrol mountain and weather information from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano before you set out.