Three Lakes Hike

A hike of great naturalistic interest that crosses very different environments, including woods, alpine lakes, gorges, and waterfalls. Thanks to the creation of the new Gores de Federa trail (Gorges of Federa), made by the Regole d’Ampezzo, the Three Lakes hike was born: a circular route of about five hours that allows you to admire Lake Pianozes, Lake d’Ajal, and Lake Federa. 

The start is at the wonderful Lake Pianozes, an enchanting lake with a bright green color surrounded by dense woods, overlooked by Chalet Pianozes, a renowned Ampezzo restaurant. After admiring the lake, return to the road, climb it for 100 meters and take the dirt road (trail no. 430) towards Lake d’Ajal, reachable in about 40 minutes of walking. Lake d’Ajal is a wonderful alpine lake, very well known also for trout fishing. 

Go back 100 meters and take the challenging trail no. 431, which, after passing the Cason de Cros del Macaròn, enters the forest passing near Beco d’Ajal: a magical place where a series of large boulders surrounded by the forest recall nearly Tolkien-like scenery. The area offers several viewpoints with incredible views over the entire Ampezzo basin: from the Tofane, to Pomagagnon, Cristallo, Faloria, Sorapis, up to Antelao. The area also hosts one of the most renowned sport climbing areas of Cortina.

After an altitude difference of almost 1,000 meters and more than three hours of walking, the trail exits the forest and the view opens onto an exceptional panorama: you can admire the third lake of the route, the splendid Lake Federa, one of the most beautiful and famous mountain lakes of the Dolomites, overlooked by Becco di Mezzodì, Croda da Lago, and Rifugio Croda da Lago. This is the ideal place to take a break, admire the view, and visit the refuge offering excellent cuisine. From the refuge, you can admire on one side the valley and on the other the lake, the heights, and the woodlands.

From here on, continue downhill following trail no. 432, a dirt path that in about 40 minutes leads to Malga Federa. The malga is located in an enchanting place, in the middle of a clearing surrounded by woods and then mountains, with a splendid view over the Ampezzo basin: Croda da Lago and Becco di Mezzodì on one side, Pomagagnon, Cristallo, and Faloria on the other. Here you will definitely see cows, donkeys, and horses grazing and can stop to taste delicious local typical dishes.

From the malga, then follow the signs for the new Gores de Federa trail, a trail that, among gentle ascents and slight descents, skirting waterfalls, gorges, and rivulets, and crossing five suspension bridges over the Ru Federa, leads in about 40 minutes to the Federa Bridge.

Upon reaching the bridge, continue along the road until you reach the start of trail no. 428: it crosses a magnificent forest and reconnects with trail no. 430, from where you can return to the start of the circular route in about 45 minutes, without too much difficulty. Alternatively, it is possible to continue along the main road to the starting point, which is shorter but less scenic.