Auronzo Hütte
Rifugio Auronzo sits at 2,320m at the base of the massive south face of Tre Cime di Lavaredo and is the main starting point for the circuit hike that takes you around all three peaks. From a distance along the toll road or the approach trails, the hut appears as a small structure dwarfed by vertical limestone spires, giving you an immediate sense of scale that's hard to pass up. The large panoramic terrace faces southeast toward the jagged Cadini di Misurina and Monte Cristallo, so shooting back toward the hut with Tre Cime rising behind it works really well from that side. Sunrise is your best bet for warm light on the Cadini, and late afternoon brings softer tones onto the south face above the hut. Alpenglow turns everything pink and orange but it happens fast, so it's a good idea to be set up and ready. The hut is unusually accessible for a rifugio since you can drive right up to it using the toll road from Misurina, although the toll road now requires advance booking. It's also one of the larger huts in the area with roughly 99 beds, so staying overnight gives you golden hour access after all the daytime crowds have cleared out. The road and hut are generally open from late May through October, depending on the weather. (Auronzo di Cadore, Belluno, Italy)
