Tofana di Mezzo & Cima Tofana: The Freccia nel Cielo Cable Car

There are many fantastic cable car rides in the Dolomites. Most visitors head straight to Seceda or Marmolada and miss this. Cima Tofana delivers jaw-dropping views with a fraction of the crowds, plus you have the option to add on a very short but thrilling hike.

We rode the Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana while exploring Cortina d’Ampezzo on our most recent trip to the Dolomites.

The views from Cima Tofana are some of the very best in the Dolomites. From the summit, you get sweeping 360° panoramas of jagged limestone peaks, dramatic valleys, and distant alpine ridgelines. For those who want to go a little farther, there’s the option to add on the short but thrilling climb to Tofana di Mezzo, one of the highest peaks in the Dolomites.

Even better, this experience tends to be less crowded than hotspots like Seceda or Marmolada, making it feel more adventurous and less commercial, which is one of the reasons we liked it so much.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to ride the Freccia nel Cielo cable car, what to expect at each station, and whether adding Tofana di Mezzo is worth it. This cable car ride is featured in our guide Best Things to Do in the Dolomites, along with other places to visit such as Lago di Braies, scenic drives, and iconic photo spots.

The Essentials

WHAT IS IT | A cable car in Cortina d’Ampezzo that runs to Cima Tofana for high alpine views of the Dolomites

WHY WE LOVE IT | The views are spectacular. Those who want to go higher have the option to do a very short hike to summit one of the highest peaks of the Dolomites.

TOFANA DI MEZZO | The 3^rd highest peak in the Dolomites; accessible from the cable car station at Cima Tofana

THE TERRACE | Outdoor deck with a small bar serving refreshments

BEST TIME | Mid-June through late September, when the entire cable car route is operational

Table of Contents

February 2026 Update: Added updated pricing for 2026.

Where is the Tofana-Freccia nel Cielo Cable Car?

The Tofana-Freccia nel Cielo cable car is located in Cortina d’Ampezzo. On Google Maps, the bottom station is called “Cabinovia Freccia nel Cielo.”

There is a large parking lot next to the station. There is a small fee to park here.

Tofana-Freccia nel Cielo Cable Car Route

To get from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Cima Tofana, you will ride a series of three gondolas and cable cars. Here is a description of the route and what you can do and see along the way.

Note: This guide is geared towards a summer visit when the entire route is open. In the winter, this is also a skiing destination, but the last cable way to Cima Tofana does not operate outside of the summer months.

Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,244 meters) to Col Druscie (1,778 meters)

From the bottom station, a gondola whisks visitors up to Col Druscie. The gondolas hold six to eight people and are constantly running, so unless there is a line, you should not have to wait to get onto a gondola.

Cortina View | Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and Tofana di Mezzo

View from the gondola

Things to Do in Col Druscie

Col Druscie Astro Ring

The Col Druscie Astro Ring is a 1.75 km nature trail. Along this trail there are also informational panels about the solar system.

There is an observatory here, and from the walkway that runs around the outside of the observatory, you have a beautiful view of Cortina d’Ampezzo and the surrounding mountains.

Col Druscie Dolomites | Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and Tofana di Mezzo

Col Druscie and the astronomical observatory.

Cortina dAmpezzo | Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and Tofana di Mezzo

The view of Cortina dAmpezzo from the observatory.

Col Druscie

Take your Pick from Two Restaurants

There are two restaurants and Col Druscie, the Masi Wine Bar and Ristorante Col Druscie 1778. We did not dine at either of these but the Masi Wine Bar, with its outdoor terrace and mountain views, looked like a wonderful place to grab a bite to eat.

Masi Wine Bar

Col Druscie (1,778 meters) to Ra Valles (2,470 meters)

A cable way connects Col Druscie to Ra Valles. This car runs every 15 minutes.

At Ra Valles, there is a pizzeria but it was not open during our visit (it was being renovated). From the Ra Valles station, we were directed immediately to the cable way to Cima Tofana, since there was not much to do here in the summer months. However, on the way back down, we did stop here and take a few photos.

Ra Valles

Pizzeria at Ra Valles

Dolomites | Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and Tofana di Mezzo

The view from Ra Valles

Ra Valles (2,470 meters) to Cima Tofana (3,244 meters)

A smaller cable car connects Ra Valles to Cima Tofana.

When we did this, on the way up, the cable cars were timed such that once we arrived in Ra Valles, we boarded the car to Cima Tofana and had no waiting time. When you are finished at Cima Tofana, the cable car runs every 15 minutes.

View from the cable car to Cima Tofana.

Things to Do at Cima Tofana

Enjoy the View from the Terrace

A large, wooden terrace is located right next to the cable way station. There are tables and chairs here as well as signs indicating the long list of peaks that you can see from this spot. From here, you have almost 360° views of the Dolomites. At Bar Cima Tofana, you can purchase drinks and sandwiches.

Cima Tofana terrace

Hike to Tofana di Mezzo

Tofana di Mezzo is the third highest peak in the Dolomites. From the Cima Tofana station, it takes 10 to 15 minutes to hike to the top of Tofana di Mezzo. You will be exposed to some cliff edges and the last scramble to the top is on loose gravel, so this is not for everyone.

From the viewing terrace at Cima Tofana, climb the series of staircases to the hiking trail. Because of the elevation, there is a very good chance that you will get out of breath here and you may have to pause to catch your breath.

From the top of the steps, you will be able to see the Tofana di Mezzo peak. The trail makes a few switchbacks as it climbs up higher on the mountain.

Tofana di Mezzo Trail | Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and Tofana di Mezzo

Hiking trail from Cima Tofana to Tofana di Mezzo.

The view from the trail

Tofana di Mezzo

When it flattens out, you have a choice. You can either climb the rocky, gravelly, steep hillside to the official peak, or continue on the trail out to a viewpoint. We did both and both are worth it.

Below are photos of the trail, the view down to the viewing platform, and the view that you get at the end of the trail. The header photo for this guide was also taken from this trail.

Cima Tofana Trail | Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and Tofana di Mezzo

Walking the trail to the viewpoint. Note, this trail takes you to a view of the Dolomites but does not go all of the way up to the peak of Tofana di Mezzo.

View Tofana di Mezzo Trail | Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and Tofana di Mezzo

Another view from the trail. You can see the Cima Tofana terrace and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

View of the Dolomites

At the end of the trail is a sign labeling the long list of peaks you can see from this point.

Dolomites View Cima Tofana | Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and Tofana di Mezzo

Here is the view.

From the trail, you can rock scramble up to the peak of Tofana di Mezzo. You are now standing at 3,241 meters (10,633 feet). From Tofana di Mezzo, you get one of the most spectacular views in all of the Dolomites. Here are the views:

Tyler and Kara hiking/rock scrambling up to the peak of Tofana di Mezzo.

Tofana di Mezzo

The view of Tofana di Rozes from Tofana di Mezzo.

To get back to the station and viewing platform, you will have to rock scramble back down the gravelly slope and then walk the hiking trail to the staircase.

Another view of the trail and the Cima Tofana terrace on the return hike.

Via Ferrata

There is also a via ferrata that you can do from the Cima Tofana. For more information, visit the official website.

Returning to Cortina d’Ampezzo

To return to Cortina d’Ampezzo, you will take the series of cable ways and gondolas to the bottom station. The cable ways run every 15 minutes and the gondola runs constantly.

See all of our articles on the Dolomites

Important Planning Information

When Does the Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo Cable Way Operate?

The cable way to Cima Tofana operates from mid-June through late-September. For the exact dates of operation, visit the official website.

The cable ways to Ra Valles and Col Druscie operate all year. In the winter months, this area is a popular skiing destination.

Cost of the Tofana-Freccia nel Cielo Cable Lifts

Here are the prices to ride the lifts in 2026. For updated pricing, and to purchase your tickets in advance, visit the official website.

Cortina d’Ampezzo to Col Druscie: €25 round trip
Cortina d’Ampezzo to Ra Valles: €35 round trip
Cortina d’Ampezzo to Cima Tofana: €45 round trip

Do you need to purchase your ticket in advance? When we did this, we walked right up to the ticket booth and bought our tickets. There was no line. In fact, there weren’t a lot of people doing this. Lago di Braies, Seceda, and Marmolada and had larger crowds than this, so this was actually a nice break from the summer crowds.

The view from the cable car between Col Druscie and Ra Valles.

If you have any questions about riding the Tofana-Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana or hiking to Tofana di Mezzo, let us know in the comment section below.

Plan Your Trip to the Dolomites & Italy

We have TONS more information about the Dolomites in our Dolomites Travel Guide and Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Sicily, and the Cinque Terre.

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How to ride the Tofana-Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana and hike to Tofana di Mezzo, one of the tallest peaks in the Dolomites, Italy.