Lago di Sorapis
Table of contents
Route Description for Lago di Sorapis
Head out from the pass on the main broad path that goes off to your right: number 215. Follow this path through a forest – keeping your eyes open for old WWI bunkers, hidden in the trees.
After fifteen minutes the trail splits. If you want to see some WWI caves, then take the upper right-hand trail for one minute. Otherwise go left and continue on the trail to Lago di Sorapis. The trail goes through forest with some occasional nice views of surrounding mountains.
After 4.3 km, you’ll come to some cables and a staircase. This is not too demanding, and most people have no problem climbing these stairs.
Soon after the first set of cables, there are some more on a wide path. Most people don’t have an issue with these cables, however if you don’t like heights then this may not be ideal.
After another 20 to 25 minutes you will come to a longer section of cables to hold onto. While the path is wide, the drop off to your left is significant. This might be tough if you have vertigo, and people have turned around at this point.
At 5.3 km you’ll go left at the fork, towards Rifugio Vandelli al Monte Sorapis. You’ll soon see the Rifugio and once you cross a (usually) dry stream, you’ll see route signage that points left to the Rifugio or right to the Lago. We prefer going to the Lago first, especially if we started early, as we can have the lake to ourselves.
Once you reach the lake, you can find a rock to sit on and simply enjoy the beauty, or you can try and get around the lake. We can’t find a safe path going all the way around the lake. We like to go counter-clockwise on a narrow path that goes through bushes and over rocks to the end of the lake. The end of the lake gives more stunning views, and you can even continue a bit more around the other side, continuing to go counter-clockwise until a rock wall bars your path.
After taking a break at the end of the lake - and enjoying new and stunning views - we walk back, retracing our steps around the lake. Now is the time to stop for a snack at the Rifugio.
Coming back down, you can see path 216 going off to the left. This is a beautiful route, although it is much more exposed and steep then the route taken in. It’s beyond the average hiker in our view, so we recommend you go back on the path you came in on.
Lake Sorapis hiking in 2024
Great news for those visiting the Lake Sorapis in 2024 and looking to avoid parking in the crowded parking lot during peak times. This year, the Lake Sorapis trailhead remains available to be reached by bus. During the hiking season, there are public transport services that operate to Passo Tre Croci, the starting point for the Lake Sorapis hike. Buses from Cortina d'Ampezzo go directly to Passo Tre Croci, making it accessible for those who prefer not to drive.
Insider Hints for Lago di Sorapis
- Check out the Rifugio Vandelli al Monte Sorapis. Stay the night and get dawn and dusk at the lake and explore nearby trails. At the least, stop for a snack before heading down.
- To get to the trail-head, you can take a public bus from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Passo Tre Croci bus stop. This bus service runs until the end of September and they usually have two departures in the morning and two returns in the afternoon. For more information, please visit Dolomiti Bus.
Getting to the Lago di Sorapis Trailhead
Take the SR48 North out of town towards Passo Tre Croci. After 5.0mi you pass a sign for Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti D’Ampezzo, and soon after there is a meadow on your right-hand side at the pass. There are often cars parked here and the path goes off to the right.Route Information
When to do:
May to September
Backcountry Campsites:
No
Toilets:
No
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back
Lago di Sorapis Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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