Many people believe that Lago di Sorapis is the most stunning lake in the Dolomites. Additionally, this lake was originally a tranquil refuge, but thanks to social media, it has evolved into a well-liked picnic area that receives a lot of tourists during the summer. Lago di Sorapis involves a climb, unlike other well-known lakes, but it does not keep tourists away looking for the ideal Instagram shot.
Trailhead: Passo Tre Croci, Belluno, Italy
Distance: 13.2 km circuit
Time Needed: 5:10 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 846 meters ascending/descending
Difficulty: Difficult
This is just a small introduction to the beauty of that lake. Perhaps it would be best if we start from the beginning with our adventure, so that you can once again admire the view of the beautiful nature together with me.
I was awake early enough to begin my journey. I must admit that because it was my first mountain trek, I eventually became weary of it. Understand why? I walked two trails in a total of nine hours, including the time I spent walking through rain, thunder, and lightning on the second path. However, we will discuss the second track in the following post. We are currently travelling the route that takes us to Lago di Sorapis. It was undoubtedly a difficult route, but it was well worth it.
The drive there was certainly interesting and full of laughs, but it was also quite tiring, given that it is a 4-hour drive and you get tired of sitting after a while.
The landscape becomes more spectacular as you approach Cortina d'Ampezzo. Imagine how beautiful it is in the winter when everything is covered in snow.
Do you think this mountain resembles the profile of a human face? Because it appears that way to me, and it was very interesting to me.
WHERE IS LAGO DI SORAPIS?
Northern Italy's Belluno province is home to the stunning Dolomites and the mountain lake known as Lago di Sorapis. The town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, which held the 1956 winter Olympics, is just 15 minutes distant.
Visitors love to hike to Lake Sorapis from Passo Tre Croci because it is close to several popular Dolomites destinations, such as Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Misurina Lake, Cortina, and Lago di Braies.
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗱𝗶 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘀
While it was once written that a trip to Lago di Sorapis is an excellent choice because it is less crowded than other lakes, this is no longer the case. The trail to Lago di Sorapis is one of the more popular hiking routes in the Dolomites, but it is not overcrowded. The crowds are manageable, and the beauty of the lake soothes any worry caused by the bigger number of visitors.
The beginning of the trail is located about 12 kilometers from the village of Cortina D'Ampezzo, more precisely at Passo Tre Croci.
Routes #215 and #217 are the two main hiking routes that travel through the Parco Naturale Delle Dolomiti D'Ampezzo and lead to Lago di Sorapis.
While the official information board claims that trail #215 requires ferrata gear, this is actually the simpler and more popular path. Trail 215 departs from the Passo Tre Croci parking lot (though some scrambling using chains is required).
By the way, this trail was originally built during World War I and was used by soldiers to transport supplies on donkeys.
Although it starts lower (at Albergo Cristallo), Route #217 bypasses these and instead involves a longer, steeper ascent that is better suited to fitter, more experienced hikers.
It's nearly impossible to get lost here because there's only one main trail that leads to the lake. The first half of the trail is a gentle uphill and fairly easy by any standard, but the second half is more difficult.
From the parking area at Passo Tre Croci, take path 215, which is clearly marked for Rifugio Vandelli. The first 30 minutes or so are on a relatively easy path through the forest, after which the route becomes a little more technical. You'll have to navigate several narrow sections with the help of metal cables, ladders, and some scrambling.
The path begins in the forest and occasionally emerges on fallen stones, down which water can flow, and it is not uncommon to come across a blanket of snow in the summer. The view of the surrounding mountains soon opens up, and the view of Tre Cime di Lavaredo is particularly memorable.
A steeper ascent follows, and we soon reach the more difficult section of the trail, which is consists of cables and metal steps.
The path narrows, and cables have been installed in some places for safety reasons, but they often serve more as a psychological factor, instilling a sense of security. Specifically, as we gain altitude, the precipices become increasingly dangerous.
We leave behind metal stairs, cables, precipices, and an open view, and gradually return to the forest, where the path is dominated by stones. We soon arrive at the foot of the Rifugio Vandelli on the left, with Lake Sorapis directly in front of us.
Unfortunately, because I'm not a big hiker, I was trying to catch my breath, so there's no photo of those metal stairs.
We leave behind metal stairs, cables, precipices, and an open view, and gradually return to the forest, where the path is dominated by stones. We soon arrive at the foot of the Rifugio Vandelli on the left, with Lake Sorapis directly in front of us.
GOD IS DETERMINABLE?
THEREFORE RELATIVE?
OR ARE WE RELATIVE ?
I hope google translate did a good job translating this text. :)
Rifugio Vandelli is located at 1,928 meters above sea level, it does not have a view of Lake Sorapis, but that's why you can enjoy the view of Cadina and Misurina. This shelter has a turbulent history. It was built for the first time back in 1891, but it was often destroyed by avalanches, rockfalls and fire, but it was rebuilt every time. The original owner of the shelter was the Austrian-German Alpine Society, but after the First World War Italy again took care of its maintenance.
After hours of walking, climbing, and pretending that it wasn't too difficult for me to walk all that, finally arriving at our destination was the best thing.
Please don't pass judgment on me, you hikers and enthusiasts haha. :)
Lake Sorapis is one of the most stunning locations in the Dolomite Alps. This turquoise lake, located at an elevation of 1900 meters above sea level, continues to enchant people, including myself. The pastel colors of the turquoise lake, combined with the white rocky walls and soft pastures in the background, create a truly magical setting.
The lake seems to be straight out of a fairy tale, doesn't it?
I can't even begin to express how happy I am with the lake and the breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. There, like sugar at the end (this is a sayinh here in Croatia, I do not know if anyone else uses the same phrase), is the lake, whose blue splendor leaves you breathless. The greens of the trees, the white rocks that have blended with the clouds in the sky. A lake that you can't take your eyes off of and can't remember doing anything else. Would you take as many pictures as you could to preserve the memories, or would you sit on a rock and just observe that magic?
I chose to carry out both.
I'm going to start bugging you with as many photographs of the lake as I can. You won't object, I'm sure, as I want to show you this enchanted beauty.
The hike was the toughest I've ever taken, but it was well worth it.
Nothing can truly prepare you for the view and the lake's breathtaking colors. The truth will wow you despite how many photographs you have seen of it.
The gorgeous color of Lake Sorapis is what makes it so unique and lovely. The little rock particles that is carried by the neighboring glacier's meltwater gives the water an opalescent or milky blue hue. The lake is also surrounded by breathtaking mountains, which creates the most spectacular backdrop. The pinnacle known as Dito di Dio (God's Finger), which rises 2,603 meters above sea level, is the highest and most noticeable of all the peaks.
The lake is formed out of the rock, and no outflowing rivers or waterfalls are evident. It has a submerged outflow that erupts at the El Piss waterfall farther away. But on this climb, you can't view this waterfall. There may be further hiking trails that lead there. I've read that the wintertime beauty of this waterfall is pretty impressive.
Due of Lake Sorapis' immense popularity, the likelihood that many people will be present is very high. When I went there, it wasn't really busy; it was quite fine. This is why it is best to arrive as early as possible in the morning. At around 9:30 am, we got going. We were too worn out to complete the lake's loop. We chatted briefly, had some beverages, took pictures, and appreciated our quiet time.
I think this is one of my favourite photos from Lago di Sorapis.
Please let me know what you think ?
Time to go back
How shall I put it? Returning was awesome. It seemed so much simpler than traveling here.
Even though the time seemed to pass quickly, it was actually the same. Since it was softly raining on our way back, we got the greatest portion of the day.
I must say that this was an incredible experience. the beautiful Lago di Sorapis, my traveling companions, the surroundings, and the weather.
We also came upon what appeared to be a cave on the way back; we stopped to investigate but quickly realized there was no way in, so all I have left is a distant picture.
I sincerely hope that you at least somewhat appreciate my representation of this breathtaking location and that I have managed to capture some of its beauty for you.
I hope you will get the chance to explore Lago di Sorapis as well as all of Italy. It's a stunning country with amazing people, nature, and food.
Make sure to comment on my post so I know how you liked it.
❝There is a magic in that little world, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits.❞
― Robert Southey
