Lago di Sorapis – The Turquoise Gem of the Dolomites
The hike to Lago di Sorapis is one of the most famous routes in the Dolomites and sits at the top of many hikers’ bucket lists. The trail is beautiful and leads through a diverse landscape, at times even spectacularly along steep rock cliffs. For us, the hike itself was actually more impressive than the lake at the end. As you can probably imagine, the route is extremely popular and therefore almost always crowded, which can slightly detract from the overall experience along the way.
The Hike in Detail
The hike to Lago di Sorapis is a moderate half-day tour, taking approximately 4.5–5.5 hours to complete. The route covers around 12 kilometers and climbs roughly 400 meters in elevation. The trail winds along narrow, sometimes rocky paths with secured sections, where surefootedness and sturdy footwear are essential. Technically, the hike is manageable for most experienced walkers, but it requires focus and, in a few spots, a bit of a head for heights.
5 hours, moderate to challenging
12,5 kilometers
400 meters elevation gain
Passo Tre Croci
Parking and starting point
The starting point is at Passo Tre Croci, where there is an official parking area right by the trailhead. Like many places in the Dolomites, the parking fills up quickly, and the roadside isn’t much better. If you arrive later in the day, you’ll often have to park further away, adding an extra walk to the start. It’s therefore well worth arriving very early. This way, you can begin the hike more relaxed and enjoy a bit of peace on the trail for the first stretch. We arrived around 9 a.m. and just managed to get one of the last parking spots.
Trail Description & Highlights
The hike to Lago di Sorapis starts at Passo Tre Croci and follows the marked trail No. 215 toward Rifugio Vandelli. The beginning is easy, with a wide, mostly flat path through forest and open terrain. The trail is well-maintained and offers initial views of the surrounding Dolomite rock formations. After crossing a scree field and passing a small waterfall, the path becomes narrower and rockier. The trail now climbs steadily, bringing you closer to the cliff faces. This section requires more attention, as loose stones and narrow passages become more frequent. Overall, the terrain feels more alpine but remains clearly marked and easy to follow.
The trail then passes through several rocky sections with short exposed spots, which are secured with wire ropes, iron steps, and metal grates. Surefootedness, a head for heights, and sturdy footwear are essential here. With careful steps, even less experienced hikers can navigate these sections safely. The path continues toward Rifugio Vandelli, and from the hut, it’s only a short walk to the lake.
Lago di Sorapis lies quietly between steep cliffs and stands out with its striking turquoise water. The entire route is considered moderate, taking roughly 4–5 hours with about 400 meters of elevation gain. We couldn’t believe the color looked as picturesque as in the photos until we saw it ourselves. At the lake, we took a break to enjoy the view, as swimming is prohibited. Afterwards, we stopped at the hut before heading back.
Due to the large crowds, expect a “stop-and-go” pace. You’re constantly passing groups or being overtaken, and narrow sections can get tight. Originally, we had planned to return via the more challenging Trail No. 242, the Tonde de Sorapis, but it was closed due to a landslide and falling rocks, so we had to retrace our steps. In hindsight, it was probably better to take the slightly shorter route. We were still quite tired from the previous day’s hike to Croda de Lago, and the next two to days also included demanding hikes to the Tre Cime.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
After the hike, you can unwind and enjoy the day in Cortina d’Ampezzo. We visited at the end of June, during one of the ultramarathons, which we wouldn’t recommend. Many hotels were fully booked and significantly more expensive than usual, parts of the town were closed and overcrowded, and you also kept encountering runners on the trails. Overall, it was just very busy, and we believe there are better times to visit the Dolomites. Our tip: check the Lavaredo Ultra Trail website for event dates in advance and, if possible, plan your trip around them.
An absolute must in Cortina is Pizzeria Il Ponte. The perfect spot to end the day after a strenuous hike with a glass of wine and a delicious pizza in the sun. For us, it was also the best preparation for the next day’s long ascent to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
It’s a good idea to pick up provisions for the next morning at the Conad City right across the street. This way, you can start early and tackle the Tre Cime climb at your own pace, avoiding the crowds. To see our full itinerary and more tips on planning your journey, check out our Dolomites round trip guide. It’s the perfect roadmap for your own adventure in South Tyrol!
