I first heard about Lake Sorapis two months ago when I saw a photo of it on Instagram. Of course, I initially thought it might have been photoshopped, but despite that, its beauty and uniqueness in the photo enchanted me and encouraged me to google the place. And I had a lot to discover – Lake Sorapis, located in the Dolomites in northern Italy, looked unrealistically beautiful, stunning in every photo I saw online.

It didn’t take long for me to decide to go on a weekend trip and convince my boyfriend to join me. Organizing the trip, including finding accommodation, was very simple, and prices on Booking were reasonable. We stayed at Hotel Nevada in the small town of San Vito di Cadore, about 25 minutes by car from the starting point of the trail that leads to Sorapis. We traveled by car, and from Istria (if you stop to eat twice along the way, like we did) it takes about four hours to get to Cadore. 

The realization that the walk to Sorapis is not that simple 

However, what I didn’t know at first was that the lake is the reward for anyone who completes the 10.5 km long trail to reach it, which goes through the mountain range, forests, very steep cliffs, mud, and much more… We didn’t give up after seeing a few videos of the trail on YouTube, but we made sure to equip ourselves properly, and that’s really the most important part. 

You should definitely start the hike in hiking boots and, expecially in autumn, in waterproof clothing. If you don’t have any, and don’t want to spend too much money, you can find waterproof trouser covers at Decathlon for just about 15 euros. They worked for me!

We arrived in Cadore on Friday evening. It’s a pretty small place, like most around the Dolomites.

We quickly went to sleep after a few glasses of excellent Mateus rosé. The next morning, after breakfast, we headed to trail number 215, which starts near the mountain pass Passo Tre Croci. It’s one of the most popular trails in the Dolomites. 

The first parts of the trail to Sorapis are the easiest 

We estimated that it would take us about two and a half hours to get to Sorapis. My personal recommendation is to start in the morning, especially if you’re hiking in autumn, so you can return before dark, as some parts of the path can be slippery and difficult to walk. The beginning of the path is also the easiest part. It’s a very flat section before the steep incline, with beautiful views of the large colorful forests. 

After that comes a rocky area that seemed steep to me, but I only realized later that it was nothing compared to what lay ahead. The trail through the forest isn’t technically difficult, but it’s tiring because you have to watch out for the large tree roots protruding from the ground, and the few very steep sections uphill are particularly tiring. 

Narrow paths along the cliffs 

Then begins the real mountain part of the trail, which includes the “scariest” sections – two very narrow paths along the edge, with a cliff below. I must admit, I wasn’t entirely comfortable seeing the section I had to cross, but – all for Sorapis! 

After crossing the two narrow paths along the cliffs, for me personally, the worst part followed, which was a rather long muddy trail. But keep in mind that we hiked to Sorapis in October, and most of the day it was raining. The path is definitely easier in spring or summer. Although Trail 215 is usually not officially closed during certain times of the year, in winter months, it becomes extremely dangerous due to snow, ice, and the possibility of avalanches, so it’s not recommended for hiking without proper equipment and experience in winter conditions.

Arriving at the lake is a wonderful reward after such a journey 

And after “swimming” through the mud, it was time to walk through another small part of the forest, and ten minutes after leaving the forest, Sorapis shone before our eyes. And it really does look unreal. Like something out of a sci-fi movie. The beautiful turquoise color of the lake, with the huge cold gray mountain ranges rising behind it, combined with the surrounding green vegetation and the mist rising above certain parts of the lake, is a sight worth the almost 11-kilometer walk and climb through the mountain trail. 

We were surprised when we saw how long it took us to reach the lake – 1 hour and 50 minutes, and we stopped several times to take photos of the landscape. We stayed by the lake for about an hour. There were people, but it wasn’t overly crowded. Surely partly because the weather wasn’t the best, and also because not everyone dares to take on such a hike to the lake.

After enjoying the most famous view from Sorapis – in front of the stone that rises from the lake, we headed to the other side of the lake, where there was no one except us, and it resembled a beach at the lake’s entrance. The walk to there took about 20 minutes because you had to walk through a small part of the forest again, through mud, and over slippery rocks. At the “beach,” we finally ate what we had brought with us, took a little rest, and started back.

People, don’t leave trash on the trail! 

I knew the way back would be easier, and I was filled with a sense of pride because I had made it to Sorapis, despite having no experience in climbing or hiking. On the way back, I paid more attention to certain parts of the trail, and one sight made me particularly sad. It was the remains of trash that people leave behind – please don’t do that!

We were really lucky with the weather forecast. Although rain was supposed to start much earlier (which would have made the hike much more difficult), rain started falling after we passed the last narrow path along the cliff. Everything after that was much easier, and unlike the way to the lake, the way back is simpler because it’s downhill, so you get less tired. Arriving at the car and driving back to the hotel was, believe me, a fantastic feeling. Not only because we saw this lake, but also because we experienced the stunning and colorful landscape of the Dolomites along the way. 

It’s truly worth seeing Sorapis 

For me, the hike to Sorapis wasn’t just hiking and an adventure in nature, but also an opportunity to reassess my own limits and courage. Walking through narrow paths above the cliffs and trudging through the mud, I realized how much perseverance and determination I have when I set myself a goal. Looking at Lake Sorapis in all its unreal beauty, I felt rewarded not only by the beautiful sight but also by pride in myself. That feeling, that calmness, and gratitude for every step taken until that moment were priceless!

A few interesting facts about Lake Sorapis 

Finally, along with the photo gallery, I leave you with a few interesting facts about Lake Sorapis:

• Lake Sorapis is known for its intense turquoise color, which comes from minerals dissolved in the water, and it’s especially vivid on sunny days.
• Sorapis is located at an altitude of 1,920 meters, and you reach it by trails that pass through forests, over cliffs, and along ravines, making it a challenging and attractive destination for hikers.
• The lake isn’t deep, but it’s surrounded by stunning natural beauty, creating a perfect place to relax and enjoy the mountain silence.
• It’s known as one of the most picturesque lakes in Italy, and it’s a favorite spot for photography due to the spectacular contrast between the turquoise water and the gray rocks of the Dolomites.
• Swimming in the lake is strictly prohibited to preserve its natural beauty and ecosystem, even though the color is tempting.
• The Dolomites, including the area around Lake Sorapis, are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to their unique geology and captivating landscape.