Lago di Sorapis
Lago di Sorapis sits in a basin of the Sorapis mountain range in the Dolomites, at an altitude of 1,925 meters.
The nearest town is Cortina d’Ampezzo.
You can only reach Lago di Sorapis on foot—or by helicopter, if you’re feeling dramatic.
The main highlight of the lake is its rich turquoise water. Surrounded by chalky limestone peaks, the mineral content (calcium) gives the water its pale blue hue when the sun hits.
You’ll find a similar color in Banff National Park (Canada): Vancouver to Calgary road trip via Banff & Jasper or at General Carrera Lake in Chile: Chile 4×4 trip: From Atacama to Torres del Paine via Patagonia
The hike starts near B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina. There’s a large parking area before the hotel if you’re coming from Cortina (south to north). We came from San Candido (north to south), saw the roadside packed with cars, and parked at the hotel lot despite the «guests only» sign. I pretended not to speak any foreign languages. The hotel staff didn’t bother us.
This trail is tougher than yesterday’s Tre Cime hike—more elevation gain in a shorter distance. The path is narrow at points and clings to the cliffside.
In some areas there are steel cables to hold onto, and even metal ladders. You’ll also cross mountain streams by hopping stones.
What really drains you is the constant stream of hikers—makes it hard to enjoy the peace and quiet I usually come to the mountains for. Crowds? Not a fan.
Loop Around Lago di Sorapis and the Way Back
Once you reach the lake, you hit the main crowd. This is where all the Instagram shots are taken.
It’s not exactly relaxing being squeezed on a narrow lakeshore as dozens more arrive by the minute. So we went around to the far side of the lake, which looked flatter and less crowded.
We started the loop counterclockwise, simply continuing straight from where we hit the shore.
I recommend walking counterclockwise—it avoids the sketchiest rock ledge sections. If you go clockwise, you’ll have to scramble right after a long 6 km approach hike. Not ideal.
The ledge isn’t super high—maybe 5–7 meters—but the lake’s milky water hides its depth. If you slip where rocks lurk just below the surface, injuries (or worse) are on the menu.
On the far side, you’ll clamber over boulders, squeeze through cracks, and occasionally step aside for passing hikers. It’s quieter than the approach, but there’s still a steady flow.
Even though swimming is technically banned, people still wade waist-deep and splash around.
Eventually, the herd from the «gallery section» (as we called the main lakeshore) began to migrate to our quieter side.
Some napped. Others kept hiking farther into the mountains.
We wrapped around the lake and headed back the same way we came.
More photos and details on the forum report: Dolomites: Tre Cime, Lago di Sorapis, and Cinque Torri in summer