Cinque Torri with kids | Hiking in the Dolomites

By Roberto (Updated Oct 25)
⏱ 8 minutes

Cinque Torri is a relatively easy hike that people can do in the Dolomites, and it’s often listed in seraches about hikes with kids in the Dolomites. Hiking Cinque Torri with kids or babies is possible, but there are some things to know first. This famous hike has everything you want in a family hike: good views, a little bit of history, a touch of adventure, and the right amount of challenge for everyone.

In this post, we’ll walk you through our hike in Cinque Torri as a family of three, how we got there with a baby (this point is very imporant), what was special about the hike and tips to help you plan your own unforgettable day in this magical and typical part of the Dolomites.

Basic Hiking Info

Key Highlights about Cinque Torri Hike (short loop version)

Distance: The path of the short loop is only a 2 km route from Rifugio Scoiattoli. Add an extra km in case you start from Rifugio Cinque Torri.
Difficulty: Easy. The hike is rocky but no technical skills are needed.
Duration: total time around 1 hour plus the stops and photos.
Accessibility: Can’t be done with stroller or wheelchair. But you can reach epic views from the chairlift.
What to bring: hiking or good trail running shoes. A few layers of clothes. You never know the weather in the Dolomites.
Best time to go: Late June to early October for snow-free trails.
Photographers: As always, best light is in sunrise or sunset, but cloudy weather can create dramatic photos here due to the rock towers. If it’s foggy forget the photos, you won’t see anything.

Table of Contents

Why Cinque Torri is Perfect for Kids

The Five Towers in Cinque Torri are towering rock formations that have something… special. The shape looks like it could be human-made and the landscape is quite unique. So, if they are interesting to adults, imagine to kids. They’re a playground for the imagination. But in case you go with a baby like us, the baby won’t pay attention to this beautiful landscape. In case you want extra advice to visit the Dolomites with kids, check our dedicated post.

But beyond the epic scenery, here’s why Cinque Torri is such a great hike for kids:

Panoramic views: From the top, you’ll get 360-degree mountain views, including some of the most iconic peaks in the Dolomites.

Easy access via chairlift: You don’t need to hike uphill for hours. A scenic chairlift from Bai de Dones takes you straight up near the base of the towers, so the adventure (and views) starts right away.

Short loop trail: There’s a beautiful loop trail that’s only about 1–2 km long with minimal elevation gain. It’s more of a scenic walk than a hike, perfect for kids of all ages. We even saw a 92 year-old man doing this loop.

WWI trenches and tunnels: What really sets Cinque Torri apart for families is the open-air war museum. The trail winds through restored WWI trenches and bunkers, turning the hike into an interactive history lesson full of discovery. The trenches and surroundings really make you imagine how hard was to fight there.

How to get to Cinque Torri

This point is important, especially if you go with a baby. There are different ways to reach Cinque Torri:

By chairlift. The most common way is to drive to the Bai de Dones chairlift station, about 25 minutes from Cortina d’Ampezzo. The parking lot fills up quickly in summer, so go there before 10 AM. From there, the Seggiovia Cinque Torri chairlift takes you on a peaceful ride up the mountain.
Hiking. There are several options to get there by foot, but they are longer hikes around 10-12 km. A straightforward ons is this option starting at Passo Giau.
By Car to Rifugio Cinque Torri. Yes, it’s possible to reach the parking in this rifugio by car. But this is option is closed in Summer and since the Dolomites are more packed every year, I suspect they will close it to public soon.
With seasonal shuttle bus. Not many people know about this option and it’s the one we did. In Summer, there is a shuttle bus that starts here, and brings you to Rifugio Cinque Torri paying 10 € each way per person. For 20 € you can go up and down, being cheaper than the 27 € cost of the chair lift. There is little information about this company but they have been operating for years. We went there with Francesco +393927205930, who speaks perfect English. There is no exact schedule, so it’s better to call and get informed

If you go to Cinque Torri with babies or toddlers, we absolutely recommend going with the shuttle bus. Why? Because the chairlift is not a cable car like the one in Seceda. This one is a big open chair where a baby can move, slip, and fall. I don’t think any excursion is worth that risk.

About our experience hiking in Cinque Torri

We started our day with a bit of pouring rain, so we were a bit hesitant about going or not to Cinque Torri. We made it to the shuttle bus and arranged our pick up. After 10 minutes in the van, we arrived to Rifugio Cinque Torri, a small but welcoming hut with excellent food (we had our lunch here later).

We started our short hike with a bit of fog and rain but the sky seemed clear. We went up following a path and started to admire the rock towers. They really are beautiful and photogenic.

The next stop was the other rifugio, Scoiattoli. In terms of views and atmosphere, this is probably one of the best huts we visited in the Dolomites. The place was so inviting for a warm coffee, pasta or whatever… the terrace is nice and the views are top-notch. Here we took the typical photos of Cinque Torri and started the hike, right when the sky started to be clear.

Cinque Torri loop trail starts right from the rifugio. There is a short loop, the one we did, or another that brings you Rifugio Cinque Torri. Since the weather was so so, we decided to stay close to Rifugio Scoiattolli. The trail is mostly flat and well-marked. There are rocks and steps but it’s safe and there are lots of stops to explore. The loop only took about an hour, a snake spotted included.

The good thing about this hike is that it leads through a WWI open-air museum, where you can duck into trenches, walk through wooden tunnels, and read signs that explain how soldiers lived and fought here in the harsh mountain conditions. For us adults, it was humbling. For the kids, it can be a good example of a history-adventure. Don’t expect a museum, it’s simply a bit of information here and there, and some figures of soldiers, with photos and information.

At one point, coming back from the loop it started to rain again, this time harder. We decided to speed up to the first rifugio and stop for lunch there. We don’t regret that decision because the food was warm and excellent. When we were done, we saw Francesco and he saw baby Lara tired while it was raining hard outside, so he gave us preference in the van and took us down. Thanks Francesco!!

By the time we left, Cinque Torri was absolutedly covered by a dense, pure white fog, so were pleased to had been able to enjoy a few hours of good light and explore one of the most famous places in the Dolomites.

Highlights and tips Hiking Cinque Torri with Kids

Here are a few things we learned that might help make your visit smoother:

Check the weather!: If it is raining hard or very foggy…. I suppose the visit is not worth it. You won’t see anything. Otherwise, the views are exceptional.
The towers themselves: These limestone formations are charming. You can go around them, touch them, and watch climbers.
Use a baby carrier, not a stroller. The terrain isn’t stroller-friendly, and you’ll want the freedom to explore the trenches.
The war history: It’s a special hike because you can explain history to your kid.
Wildlife spotting: We saw many birds and one snake. Some people spot marmots too.
Picnic with a view : You can have a picnic off the trail or from the rifugio, whatever you do, the views are epic.
Rifugios for food and rest: If you’d rather not pack food, the mountain huts serve hearty local meals… and it’s delicious.

Final thoughts: is Cinque Torri worth it with Kids?

A thousand times yes. Cinque Torri with kids is one of those hikes that balances beauty, learning, ease, and fun. Whether your children are seasoned hikers or just starting out, this is a spot that makes mountain memories come alive.

Personally we wouldn’t put it in a Top 3 hikes in the Dolomites, but if you have the time, it definetely is worth the visit. This is why we think Cinque Torri deserves a place in your Dolomites family itinerary. Have fun and enjoy the mountain! See you in another post.