UPDATED MAR 2020. I recently hiked to Lago di Sorapis and, during the hike, I kept thinking ‘man I hope the juice is worth the squeeze’. Let me tell you, the color of this gorgeous lake was absolutely worth the squeeze of some tired old knees. The natural beauty blew me away and the whole area looked like a painting. Here’s a guide on how to hike to Lago di Sorapis in the Italian Dolomites using trail 215. I hope it can help you plan your adventure to this incredible lake.
How To Hike To Lago Di Sorapis – Detailed Guide And Tips
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FAQ for hiking to Lago di Sorapis
Where is it located?
Cortina d’Ampezzo, about 2.5 hours drive from Vicenza.
How long does the hike take?
5-6 hours of hiking time depending on your pace.
What is the level of difficulty?
Intermediate.
What is the trail number?
215 (you can also use trail 216, though this guide is for 215)
Are dogs allowed?
Yes.
What should you bring with you?
- Water bottle (I use this one
) - Hat
- Good hiking shoes (I wore my Nikes, but I wish I had worn my New Balance Minimus since the trail was a little slippery)
- Snacks, lunch or energy gels (these are my favorite)
- Sunscreen
- Camera (I recommend a GoPro for hikes with the shorty pole or Sony Alpha a6000)
)
)
or 
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Where to park for Lago di Sorapis
This is a popular hike so parking can be crowded.
I recommend starting at the first parking lot – the lot on the left side of my map below. If that is full you can continue on the street around the bend and look for street parking, or try the other parking lot. If that’s all full, keep driving down the street for more street parking.
Going to this hike early will take some stress out of finding a park.
It is a point to point trail so you will hike out to the lake and return the same way.
Start of the trail
What to expect
The Lago di Sorapis hike is an intermediate trail that takes between 2 and 3 hours each way depending on your pace. It’s very well marked and easy to follow.
One of the challenges of this trail is that it will test your stamina since it is a fairly long hike. The incline sections feel never-ending but you can always stop to catch your breath along the way.
Another challenge is the terrain. The trail is mostly rocky and can be a little slippery which is why I recommend some good hiking shoes.
I wore my Nike street shoes and I made it without slipping, but if I was going to do the trail again, I would prefer to wear my New Balance Minimus
for more stability.
In a couple of steep sections, there are ropes to hold onto which is helpful. There is also a section with ropes to hold onto where the trail narrows on a ledge with a steep drop-off.
If you’re afraid of heights, this part might test you but it doesn’t last long.
Ledge drop off on the right
I’m letting you know the challenges so you can be prepared for them, however, I saw young people, older people, fit people, overweight people, and just about everyone else on the trail.
I’d encourage you to give it a go and just take it as slow as you need in the tricky parts of the hike. You can always turn around if it’s too much, but you might surprise yourself and get a confidence boost as a reward.
Oh, and you’ll get to see an incredible lake.
Alternative trails
If you would prefer a shorter or easier trail I recommend visiting Lago di Tovel, Lago di Carezza, Torrente Canali, or Lago di Braies.
I wrote more about these and more of the best hikes in the Dolomites here.
Lago di Sorapis
The water really is that blue!
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Honestly, I always had a suspicion that it was heavily edited for the ‘gram, but it really is a mesmerizing bright, blue lake.
When you finally arrive, you will probably spend a couple of minutes staring at it, then you can follow the path around the lake until you find a spot to hang out.
You’ll be able to take some nice photos along the way as you soak in the color of the lake from different angles.
There are signs all around Lago di Sorapis that say no swimming is allowed. In saying that I still saw people swimming.
There is a rifugio near the lake where you can get food if need be, otherwise, it’s a nice trail to bring your own snacks and have a picnic before heading back.
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When is the best time to visit
Go as early as possible to avoid the crowds and the heat. I did this trail at the end of June and couldn’t believe how many people were there. It’s easily the most crowded hike I have ever done, and there were even sections where we were waiting in line to walk.
It’s also very open to the elements with hardly any shade in a lot of the inclined sections. Going early will help avoid getting hit by the heat in those hard areas.
Summer is the peak season for hiking in the Dolomites. If you can visit during spring, you’ll be able to avoid some of the crowds.
Overall thoughts
The crowds were the biggest downside for me because waiting in line during a hike tends to take away from the ‘adventure in nature’ feeling.
I wait in lines at the store, not on a mountain, you know? However, something this beautiful is, of course, going to be popular and I am so glad I was able to see it.
The views at Lago di Sorapis are stunning.
I absolutely recommend planning a day out to hike to Lago di Sorapis if you are visiting the Dolomites and I hope this guide can help you plan your adventure.
As always, use your best judgment for whether this is a good hike for you, check the weather forecast, and stick to the trails.
Other guides for adventures in Italy
- Calà Del Sasso – How To Hike The 4444 Steps In Asiago
- A Practical Guide On How To Hike The 52 Tunnels Trail In Italy
- Tramonti Di Sopra Nature Pool – The Off The Beaten Path Swimming Oasis
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