Sorapis Lake

If you want to see an extraordinary lake, you are right here!

Our route starts at Passo Tre Croci just before the former Olympic resort Cortina. To do this route, you should get up early to find a parking space or it is best to take the bus up. The former luxury hotel is a ruin and bears witness to better times. We go briefly downhill and turn onto the forest road following the signs for Lago Sorapis. While strolling through the forest, we notice between the trees and slopes that this pass was strategically important in World War I. Many bunkers in the forest, long covered with moss, bear witness to this difficult time. Now the path steadily goes uphill until we encounter steel steps and safety ropes. For normal hikers, crossing the wall is no problem, but sure-footedness on the well-secured path is an advantage. The path winds steadily uphill into the side valley. The natural phenomenon is no longer a secret tip, so you meet many hikers from all over the world here. At times, you do wonder what equipment some people take with them, and selfie hunters often block the narrow path. After about 2 hours, we already hear a roaring noise and see a stream rushing down the valley. Just above this stream, we have arrived at the destination. Most tourists gather here, and it feels like high season in Rimini. A few stones stick out of the turquoise water and some take their photo with a mermaid motif. This is too much hustle and bustle for us, so we circle the lake and also find spots that are a bit quieter. We also don't miss the obligatory photo because we are equally fascinated by the splendor of the lake's colors, and the scenery around simply invites amazement and lingering. Before we start the return journey, we take a short break at Rifugio Vandelli. We decide to go back the same way. At a different time of year, other alternatives would also be possible. Since we do this route in early summer, there is still too much snow at the altitude. Spring, however, is best suited for the route to Sorapis Lake because there are fewer tourists and the water level is ideal.