A glimmering lake shrouded in legend
Located in the province of Belluno, not far from the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Lago di Sorapis Trail is a much-loved route that runs from Passo Tre Croci (Path of Three Crosses) to a turquoise-tinted glacially fed lake on Mount Sorapis. Renowned for its intense color and untouched beauty, it’s one of the greatest payoffs to any Dolomites day hike.
The trail is rated moderate due to some narrow and exposed uphill sections, but no worries—they’re all secured with steel ladders and cables. Possibly the biggest challenge you’ll face are other hikers, who might slow you down or surprise you with bad etiquette. Outside of that, this is a wonderfully scenic journey through a dense larch forest, across rushing mountain streams and undulating cliffsides.
Once you reach Lago di Sorapis (and are inevitably rendered speechless by your alpine surroundings), you can take a short walk around the lake and admire its milky appearance, the result of fine glacier powder settled inside. The nearby Rifugio Vandelli, operated by the Italian Alpine Club, will provide food and shelter before you go back down.