Places / The Dolomites
UV index at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About the Dolomites
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop, one of the most photographed hikes in the Dolomites, starts from the Rifugio Auronzo car park at about 2,320 metres (7,612 ft) and circles the three distinctive limestone peaks at a similar elevation throughout.
Elevation and your real UV
Because the whole loop sits around 2,300 to 2,450 metres, there’s less elevation change here than on a typical mountain hike, but the starting elevation itself already adds meaningfully to UV compared with sea level. Using the WHO’s rule of thumb of about 10% to 12% more UV per 1,000 metres:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with sea level |
|---|---|---|
| Rifugio Auronzo | 2,320 m (7,612 ft) | about 23% to 28% more UV |
| Rifugio Locatelli | 2,405 m (7,890 ft) | about 24% to 29% more UV |
Pale limestone rock also reflects more UV than grass or soil, on top of the elevation effect covered in UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds.
When UV is strongest here
UV peaks June through August, when the loop is fully clear of snow and days are longest. Snow can linger into early summer on shaded sections, adding reflected glare on top of already-high alpine UV.
On the trail
The Tre Cime loop is almost entirely above the treeline, so there’s little shade for most of its roughly four hours. Refuges along the way offer a break from the sun but the trail itself doesn’t.
Sun protection tips for the Dolomites
- Start early to finish the loop before the midday UV peak, especially in July and August.
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection; pale limestone and any lingering snow both add glare.
- Reapply sunscreen at the halfway point (Rifugio Locatelli), not just at the trailhead.
- A brimmed hat holds up better than a cap on this exposed, often-windy ridge.
Similar places
Related guides
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 22, 2026.