Standing at the edge of Lago di Sorapis, looking at the milky blue water beneath the towering cliffs of the Dolomites, I immediately understood why this hike is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.
After seeing this hike all over my social media pages, I knew that I had to do it. So, I went out of my way on my trip to the Dolomites to complete it. It was one of my favorite days of the whole trip and I’m so glad I went.
This trail is one of the most popular, but I feel like most people don’t actually know what to expect. So I’ve written this post with all the details you need to know. Now you can take on Lago di Sorapis and see the mesmerizing blue lake for yourself!
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Lago Di Sorapis Hike Details
Before I start, I want to mention that this guide covers the classic Lago di Sorapis hike from Passo Tre Croci (Trail 215), which is the route most visitors take. There are other routes you can take, but I will write from what I know!
Remember, that this lake is for viewing only. Do not swim in it, wade into it, or collect any of the water!
Quick Hike Stats
Distance: 7-8 miles/11-12.5 km round trip
Elevation: 1960 feet/600 meters of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 4-5 hours total
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
How Hard is Lago di Sorapis
Difficulty is very subjective. A trail that’s easy for me, could be very challenging for someone else. So, this is why I like to break down the hike a little further. So, you know exactly what you’re getting into.
While this is a very popular trail, it is not suited for everyone. It’s a steep and long hike, so I don’t recommend it for beginners or individuals that do not walk regularly. That being said, if you are someone that works out regularly and walks often, it’s very doable.
However, if you are afraid of heights you may think twice about doing this hike. There are narrow ledges with railings that you have to hold onto.
My husband is afraid of heights and he was fine as long as he stuck to the inside of the trail. But, you should know your own limits!
Things to Know Before You Go
🅿️ Parking is free for Lago di Sorapis at Passo Tre Croci, but it fills quickly. On busy days the lots and roadside can be full by 8 or 9 am. There’s a lot further down the road, with a walking trail that will add about 1 mile to your hike.
⏰ Get to the trail early to get parking and avoid crowds!
🦮 Dogs are welcome on the trail, but they must be kept on a leash.
🚫 Swimming is not allowed in the lake. This ban is in place to protect the ecosystem of the lake and to ensure it keeps its powdery blue color.
⛈️ Weather can change quickly at the summit, so check the weather before you go and choose a different hike if storms are in the forecast. We were lucky, because we had some sprinkles of rain but it never got to be a downpour.
😳 There are narrow ledges and moments where you have to hold on to railings along this trail. If you are afraid of heights, you may want to sit this one out!
🌿 Remember to always follow the Leave No Trace Principles to allow everyone to enjoy the trail!
Is Lago di Sorapis Worth the Hype?
In my mind, most popular trails are popular for a reason. And personally, as an avid hiker I kind of love doing these to see which ones are truly worth it.
That being said, I usually have a strategy going into these kind of hikes. I start early or late, pack my patience, and enjoy the moments of serenity when I can.
Now, in my opinion, it was definitely worth it.
Lago di Sorapis was one of the most beautiful spots I saw in the Dolomites. But, the lake itself was not the only reason I loved this trail. It was also one of my favorite trails because it was interesting with varying terrain and remarkable views over the Dolomites as you went.
Plus, seeing the lake in person was even more mind-blowing than seeing it online. Some places don’t match the photos, but this was not one of them. This was better in person, in my opinion.
And, if you’re worried about crowds, the people actually thinned out around the lake itself. There was plenty of space for us to have to ourselves and take the photos that we wanted!
Best Time to Hike it
Lago di Sorapis, like much of the Dolomites, is best hiked from mid-June through mid-September. The lake’s famous turquoise color can vary throughout the season depending on snowmelt, rainfall, and conditions that year.
Some people who go early in the season are disappointed by its lack of vibrancy and volume, while others who go super late in the fall sometimes get stuck with snowfall and icy conditions.
As I’ve said previously, the best time to hike this trail is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. That way, you can avoid the large rush and crowds.
We went in late June, the weather was perfect, and there weren’t many people at the lake with us. I think it’s because we started the hike relatively late, around 3 pm.
It was sunny for the most part and the temperature hovered in the low 70s. It made for a splendid day!
How to Get to Lago di Sorapis
The Lago di Sorapis trailhead is just 15 minutes from Cortina d’Ampezzo! So, it’s no wonder its such a well-trafficked hike.
We actually went directly from picking up our rental car in Venice to the trailhead. So, it was a bit of a longer day. But, if you’re coming from around the Dolomites it’s easy.
The main trailhead for Lake Sorapis or Lago di Sorapis is located in the Passo Tre Croci, right off of roadway SR48.
By Bus: If you want to take public transportation from Cortina, you can take the bus easily! Route 51 will take you directly from town to the trail. Just get off at the Passo Tre Croci stop.
By car: Roadway SR48 runs right from Cortina to the Lago di Sorapis Trailhead. Just make sure to get leave early, so you can get a parking spot in the lot!
What to Wear and Bring
As someone who goes on a lot of hikes, the most important thing to have is quality shoes. There are a lot of rocky parts on this trail, so I would wear something that has good traction.
My husband and I did not use trekking poles on this hike, but because there is a steep decline you may want them. It will definitely help protect your legs from too much stress, especially as you go downhill.
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles: Necessary for the steep climb down!
- Water Reservoir
- 1+ Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Rain jacket
Lago di Sorapis Trail Description
Through the Forest (0-2 miles)
After leaving the parking lot, we followed the signs for the Lago di Sorapis Trail. We were surprised that we had to do a steep descent first, because we knew we would had a lot of elevation to climb.
Once we descended down, we made our way into the wooded section of the trail. It was very well shaded, which felt lovely on a sunny day. This section meanders through the forest for a while, before eventually we rounded a corner and began to climb.
The path is well shaded for much of this section!
Ledge Section (2-3.5 miles)
After a few miles, we got out of the forest to spectacular panoramic views over the Dolomites. I hadn’t done a tone of research, so I was shocked at the beauty that was all around.
This was our very first hike in the Dolomites and boy was it a warm welcome.
As soon as you come to this section, however, the trail starts to follow the mountain edge. It’s a very rocky path at this point with some areas where we had to hold onto railings along the mountainous edge.
Along the way, there are also a couple of staircases that you have to ascend.
This is where people who are afraid of heights may get nervous. My husband simply stuck to the inside of the path and took his time. He also avoided looking down the cliffside, because that’s what gets him most nervous.
I’m not going to lie though, this was my favorite part of the trail. I loved the varying hiking types and I couldn’t get over the views.
To the Lake (3.5 miles)
As we got to the top of the path, we started to see Rifugio Vandelli ahead to our left. That’s how we knew we were getting very close. Many people stop here for a bite to eat or to refill their water. We were there later in the evening, so we continued straight to the lake.
We crested the path at around 3.5 miles, where we finally saw a sign for the lake. We just walked a few steps further and finally, the bright blue of the lake stuck out amongst the landscape.
While I’ve seen tons of photos of this lake, nothing compares to seeing it in person. The milky blue of the water is truly insane!
At the water’s edge, there are plenty of wonderful rocks to sit and enjoy the scenery or take photos from. We traveled around the lake’s edge to get a variety of viewpoints with the stunning Lake Sorapis sitting below the pointy peak of the mountain.
If you want, you can do a lap around the lake, but we were happy to just relax before heading back down.
Final Tips for Hiking Lago Di Sorapis
I refused to leave the Dolomites without taking on Lago di Sorapis and boy am I glad that I did.
My biggest tip is to go early in the day or later in the afternoon. I actually preferred the late afternoon, because it was quieting down on the trail and the temperatures were also decreasing instead of getting warmer.
If you are afraid of heights, just take your time and stick to the railing side of the hike. I hope that you have a wonderful time on this trail and love it as much as I did.
Let me know if you found this blog post helpful in the comments!
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