Lago Di Sorapis (Lake Sorapis) Trail Number 215 Circular Hike, at the foot of Dito di Dio (“Finger of God”). Ampezzo, Dolomites.

Region: Cortina d’Ampezzo — Ampezzo Valley, Dolomites, Italy

Places To Stay: Stay central in Cortina d’Ampezzo for buses, shops and easy starts. If you prefer something quieter Corvara, Canazei and Selva di Val Gardena work well too. Looking for more Dolomites trails? Head to my ‘Dolomites Hiking Guides‘ page to see all regions and routes.

Lago di Sorapis is one of the most recognisable mountain lakes in the Dolomites, famous for its almost impossibly bright turquoise water and its dramatic position beneath the peak of Dito di Dio, or the “Finger of God”.

The most popular approach follows Trail 215 from Passo Tre Croci, climbing through peaceful pine forest before traversing the mountainside and reaching the lake beneath the towering cliffs of the Sorapis group. The moment the path passes between the final large rocks and the lake suddenly appears ahead is difficult to describe. Even after seeing countless photographs beforehand, standing there felt completely different – quiet, dramatic and almost spiritual.

We completed the walk in May 2023, when a considerable amount of snow still covered the higher ground. It meant we didn’t see the famous turquoise lake because the surface remained frozen beneath the snow, but it gave us a completely different experience. Instead of arriving beside a busy summer attraction, we found a silent, snow-covered mountain lake with hardly anybody else around.

It wasn’t the Lago di Sorapis we had expected to see, but it was every bit as memorable.

Lago di Sorapis is perfectly placed alongside several of the Dolomites’ best-known walks. You could combine it with my longer Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike from Lago d’Antorno, or browse all of my Dolomites hiking guides for more routes around Cortina d’Ampezzo, Alta Badia and Val Gardena.

Below are a few ideas for day tours and transfers around Cortina d’Ampezzo, with GetYourGuide offering great discounts and easy booking + a huge amount of options in the Dolomites area, see more here.

For a wider choice of accommodation in the Dolomites, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map

• Start/Finish: SR48, 32043 Cortina d’Ampezzo BL, Italy (SR48 Falzarego road) car park/bus stop.
• Transport: Seasonal buses from Cortina travel along that road. Parking available but can fill up in peak season.
• GPX: Download the GPX file here.
• Follow this route on my Outdooractive and Komoot profiles
• Avoid the early start – find accommodation in Cortina

Travel Data: I use eSIMs to stay connected — quick setup and no roaming faff. Sim Local has been solid in Italy/Europe with good prices and coverage.

Hike Profile

• Distance: Approximately 13km / 8.1 miles
• Duration: 4–6.5 hours, depending on conditions and time spent at the lake
• Total ascent: Approximately 380m
• Highest Point: Approximately 1,920m at Lago di Sorapis
• Difficulty: Moderate, with narrow and exposed sections
• Route type: Out and back along Trail 215
• Terrain: Forest tracks, rocky mountain paths, polished limestone, metal steps and exposed ledges protected by fixed cables
• Best for: Alpine lake views, dramatic mountain scenery and one of the Dolomites’ most memorable trail arrivals

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Hike Description

The hike to Lago di Sorapis begins beside the SR48 road at Passo Tre Croci, close to B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina. There are parking spaces along the roadside, although this is one of the most popular trails near Cortina d’Ampezzo and the available spaces can fill very early during the summer.

A tourist information board marks the beginning of Trail 215, and from there the route heads gently into the forest.

It is a lovely start to the walk. Tall pine trees surround the path, the ground underfoot is initially straightforward and the noise from the road quickly disappears behind you. The trail winds gradually through the woodland, passing old military remains before continuing deeper beneath the trees.

Every so often, the forest opens on the left and gives you a glimpse of the surrounding Dolomite peaks. These views become larger as you gain height, but for the first part of the hike the mountain still feels partly hidden, revealing itself a little at a time through the trees.

The path is generally easy to follow, although years of heavy footfall have polished some of the exposed rocks. They can be surprisingly slippery, particularly when damp, so it is worth taking care rather than assuming this is simply an easy woodland walk.

As we climbed higher, the trees gradually became thinner and the character of the route began to change.

The soft forest paths gave way to rocky mountain terrain, with steep cliffs rising beside us and much larger views opening across the valley. This is where the walk becomes more exciting, but it is also where anyone uncomfortable with heights may begin to find it more challenging.

Several sections traverse the mountainside with a drop away from the trail. Metal steps and fixed cables have been installed at the more awkward points, giving you something to hold as you move across the rock. They aren’t technically difficult in good conditions, but the path can feel exposed and becomes much more serious if it is wet, icy or covered in snow.

We took our time and concentrated on each section rather than rushing.

The route continued to climb steadily around the mountainside, alternating between narrow rocky paths, short stepped sections and brief returns to the trees. Behind us, the views across the surrounding peaks grew more impressive with every metre of height gained.

As we approached the lake, we began to find snow.

At first it appeared in isolated patches beside the trail, but it soon became much deeper. In places, there was around a foot of snow covering the ground, although previous walkers had created a clear enough line for us to follow.

The snow made progress slower and more slippery, but it also completely transformed the landscape. The forest and bare rock we had walked through lower down were replaced by something that felt far more remote and wintry.

Eventually, the path led us between a collection of enormous boulders. We could see the distinctive peak of Dito di Dio rising ahead, and we knew the lake had to be close.

Then, almost without warning, Lago di Sorapis appeared. We had expected to see the brilliant turquoise water for which the lake is famous, but in May the surface was still frozen and almost entirely covered by snow.

The entire basin felt silent and almost untouched. There were very few people around, the snow softened every sound and the frozen lake gave the landscape a dramatic, mysterious atmosphere. It wasn’t the view we had imagined, but it was still one of the most memorable places we visited in the Dolomites.

After taking our time beside the lake, we began the return journey along the same Trail 215 route.

It is possible to create a more demanding circuit using Trails 216 and 213, but those paths involve more difficult, exposed mountain terrain. Given the amount of snow on the higher ground, returning the way we had come was the obvious choice.

Walking back along the same trail didn’t feel repetitive because we were now facing the mountain ranges that had been behind us on the ascent. The valleys and distant peaks remained in view for much of the descent, giving us a completely different perspective of the route.

We all agreed that we needed to return during the summer. It would undoubtedly be much busier, but seeing the lake filled with its famous turquoise water, surrounded by green forest and summer colour, would feel like visiting an entirely different place.

For now, though, the frozen Lago di Sorapis belonged almost entirely to us—and that made the day very special.

Walk this route yourself in 3D!

The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the mountain.

I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.

Lago Di Sorapis Circuit Trail – Hike the Italian Dolomites – Path 215 – 3D Video

Places to Stay in the Dolomites – My Picks

I’ve put together a few guides to make choosing a hotel in the Dolomites easier. If you’re after a romantic break, I’ve found some cosy hideaways. If it’s hiking that’s front and centre, I’ve rounded up the best hotels with trails right from the door. There are also ski-in ski-out favourites, family-friendly bases, and hotels with those wow-factor mountain views or even hot tubs to sink into after a long day.

• Most Romantic Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
• Best Hotels for Hiking in the Dolomites ⇢
• Best Ski-In Ski-Out Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
• Best Family Friendly Hotels in the Dolomites ⇢
• Best Hotels with Mountain Views in the Dolomites ⇢
• Best Hotels with Hot Tubs in the Dolomites ⇢

Places to Stay in Cortina

For a wider choice of accommodation in the Dolomites, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.

Recommended Stays

Hotel de la Poste (Cortina)

Right in the centre of the famous ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the 4-star Hotel De La Poste is set in an early 19th-century building. It features 2 restaurants and free WiFi throughout.

Check Availability

Hotel Victoria Parc (Cortina)

Parc Hotel Victoria is a great hotel to relax in Cortina, the staff are ready to help at all times and are very friendly. It is located very close to the promenade, shops and restaurants in Cortina, and simple access to the buses.

Check Availability

Practicalities

• Start early: Lago di Sorapis is one of the most popular walks around Cortina d’Ampezzo. An early start gives you a better chance of finding a parking space and reaching the lake before the busiest part of the day.
• Parking: Informal roadside parking is available around Passo Tre Croci and near the Trail 215 starting point on the SR48. Spaces are limited and can fill very early during the main summer season, so do not rely on arriving late and finding a space beside the trailhead.
• Public transport: Seasonal buses run between Cortina d’Ampezzo, Passo Tre Croci and Misurina. Check the current timetable before travelling because services and operating periods can change throughout the year.
• Difficulty: I would grade Trail 215 as moderate rather than easy. Most of the route is straightforward for an experienced walker, but the higher section contains narrow ledges, polished rock, metal steps and several exposed traverses protected by fixed cables.
• Head for heights: The protected sections are not a via ferrata and you do not normally need specialist climbing equipment in good summer conditions. However, there are genuine drops beside parts of the path, so the route may be uncomfortable for anyone with a strong fear of heights.
• Footwear: Wear hiking shoes or boots with reliable grip. The limestone has become smooth and slippery after years of heavy footfall, particularly when wet, icy or covered by loose material.
• Snow: Snow can remain around the lake and across the higher sections during spring and early summer. We walked here in May and encountered deep snow near the lake, which made the path slower and more serious than it would be in dry summer conditions.
• Weather: Conditions can change quickly in the Dolomites. Carry warm layers and waterproof clothing even when the morning forecast appears settled, and avoid the exposed sections during thunderstorms, ice or severe weather.
• Navigation: Trail 215 is generally well marked, but an offline GPX route is still useful if cloud, snow or poor visibility obscures the signs and path.
• Food and water: Carry enough food and water to complete the entire hike. There is no dependable water supply along the trail. Rifugio Vandelli near the lake normally serves food and drinks during its operating season, but you should check its opening dates rather than relying on it.
• Facilities: There are no regular toilets along the approach. Seasonal facilities may be available at Rifugio Vandelli when the refuge is open.
• Crowds: Expect the trail and lake to be extremely busy during July and August, particularly between late morning and mid-afternoon. Narrow sections can become slow when walkers are passing in both directions.
• Alternative circuit: A harder circuit can be created using Trails 216 and 213. This alternative climbs higher, involves substantially more ascent and crosses more exposed mountain terrain. It should not be treated as an easy way of avoiding the crowds.
• Best season: The usual hiking season is from late June to September, depending on snowfall, trail conditions and the opening period of Rifugio Vandelli.

Lago Di Sorapis FAQs

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