Lago Sorapis Hike vs Lago Federa Hike

If you are in the Dolomites with a limited schedule and have to choose between Lago Sorapis and Lago Federa, this text will help you. I have visited both of them so this is my first-hand experience.

Why this text

I am a member of several Facebook groups about Dolomites. This is the most popular area in the Italian Alps and many people visit it throughout the year.

Many of them ask questions of the type “hey, I have 3 (or 5, 7 etc.) days only, can you suggest the most attractive places to visit”.

Some even ask “can I visit place A and place B in the same day”, and many other similar questions. 

So this is why I thought that having such a text would be useful to offer instead of answering questions separately.

But if you are new to this, it is best to start with the interactive map below. It is zoomable so you can see larger area and all access roads, and you can also zoom in to see details.

The yellow markers show the two parkings and the read markers show the lakes. In the case of Sorapis lake, the whole route is visible. This is not so for the Federa lake, but the route goes through the woods which you see in the map.

• Useful map: Cortina d’Ampezzo e Dolomiti Ampezane, 1:25000, Tabacco, 03.

How to get to Lago di Sorapis

Obviously, there are various ways to get to the lake, but my focus here is on the most popular normal route that starts from the pass Tre Croci which is in the north-east from Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The start of the route to Lago Sorapis is after the hotel which is on the pass, just walk around 150 meters down the road and you will see the table.

The AllTrails map below shows details, you can see more if you follow the link.

All the details of this access route are available in my text about dangers of Lago Sorapis hiking. The picture below shows Lago Sorapis, note this is the true color.

How to get to Lago Federa

To get to the lake you can choose at least two start points on the road that connects Cortina d’Ampezzo and Passo Giau (2236 m).

My suggestion is to start from the higher point, this will make your hike easier. The parking is marked in the map above, so from there follow the route 434. But there is one more reason to start from there, more below. 

In the interactive map below from AllTrails you can see how you can make a round tour in the area. The route shown here starts from the parking at the main road which I used.

The photo below is my own and it shows the lake as I have seen it. Of course there are many photos online that are photoshopped and it may look very different, just to know.

Side by side comparison

In the table below I have summarized what I think is important to mention, so have a look:

 

A few words about each of the items in the table:

Route type & orientation: These are popular places, so the route is well-marked and orientation is never a problem. 

Equipment: You do not need anything special. But I must say some people go to extreme, and you will see them totally ill-equipped, with small kids and without rain protection.

Remember, this is about mountains, so the weather can change dramatically and I have experienced this myself on my tour to Lago Sorapis. Here is a video to show this:

You will need a day pack, think about something like Osprey Stratos 24. For such a tour it is good to have a pair of standard hiking boots, these Nortiv 8 will be perfect. But you can manage with shoes as well like these from the same brand.

Also have a full body waterproof layer, and this even if the sky is completely clear. Have you seen the video above?

So waterproof pants and a waterproof jacket should be in your pack. The boots/shoes mentioned above are waterproof, and the pack I mentioned has its own rain cover.

Time needed: Clearly, the route to Lake Sorapis is physically longer, you can realize this from the map above. But both tours can be described as short-day tour. The time indicated in the table is for the way up.

Elevation difference: You have it more for Lake Federa, the route is shorter and this also means steeper. Only in the beginning you will have to descend a bit and after that it will always be a walk up with every step.

In the case of Lake Sorapis, you have less elevation difference on a longer route so the route is less steep in general, but see the next item below.

Exposed sections: On the Lago Federa route there are no such places. You will be in a beautiful forest all the time. So even exposure to the Sun will be very limited, this may be good to know if you go with kids.

However, there are quite a few exposed passages on the Sorapis lake route. This includes fixed cables, chains, ladders, etc. So if you have extreme problems with vertigo, and have to choose, go to Federa lake. But I think this route too is doable by anybody.

Parking: In the case of Federa, this is a true parking by the road, see the picture below. But note that the same area is used if you go to Cinque Torri. So it will be crowded for sure. I managed to find a place a few hundred meters above.

However, when you go to Lago Sorapis, an official parking is at least 500 meters before the trailhead. Many people park along the road, but better do not count on that, the place is too-popular.

Huts: You have the hut by the lake in both cases. Rifugio Alfonso Vandelli at the Sorapis lake is a place where you can have meals and stay overnight as well.

Similarly, at Lago Federa you have Rifugio Croda di Lago, see it in the picture:

Which tour is more attractive?

I decided to put this in a separate section for several good reasons. This is about very touristic places that are regularly on the lists of people who go to the Dolomites.

Now, the route to Sorapis and the lake itself are, in my view, more attractive, and this is indicated in the table above.

But hey, if your list includes places like Cinque Torri and Passo Giau, then it is Lago Federa you should choose.

This because, as mentioned above, the route to Cinque Torri starts from the same place, and incredibly attractive Passo Giau is just a short drive above. So you can visit all three attractions in one (veeery long) day.

On the other hand, there are no other real tourist attractions of that type in the Sorapis lake area, bear this in mind.

But there is more to this which I want to point out. When you get to Lago Sorapis, you will be in a true mountain ambient. The hut which you will see there has no road access to it.

Now compare this with Lago Federa where you will see cars parked next to the hut (visible in the picture above). But the car access is only for those with permit of course. No doubt, some people will pay to get there by a car. So for me, this ruined a bit the overall experience, but this is just me, you can ignore what I am saying.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, if you find yourself faced with the choice between Lago Sorapis and Lago Federa during your limited schedule in the Dolomites, this guide provides valuable insights based on firsthand experience.

The provided interactive map serves as an excellent starting point, allowing you to visualize the access roads and key points of interest. When considering the routes to both lakes, it’s evident that each offers a unique experience.

The trek to Lago Sorapis, originating from the Tre Croci pass, promises a longer but visually rewarding journey. The route, though featuring exposed sections with fixed cables and chains, provides an immersive mountain experience. The lake is nestled in a pristine mountainous environment, and it offers a genuine sense of isolation, with the nearby hut accessible only by foot.

In contrast, Lago Federa offers a relatively shorter hike, starting from a higher point along the road connecting Cortina d’Ampezzo and Passo Giau. The trail, set amidst a beautiful forest, is without exposed sections. However, the proximity of the road to the hut may detract from the wilderness experience, especially considering the presence of permitted vehicles near the lake.

Lago Sorapis stands out for its rugged beauty and genuine mountain ambiance, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a more immersive and challenging trek.

On the other hand, Lago Federa, while picturesque, may appeal to those looking for a shorter, family-friendly hike, especially when combined with nearby attractions like Cinque Torri and Passo Giau.

Regardless of your choice, proper preparation is essential. Ensure you have suitable equipment, including waterproof gear, and consider the varying weather conditions that mountainous regions often present.

For more texts from the same area, please check in the category Italian Alps. In particular check my mountaineering tour to Tofana di Rozes which is visible from the route to Lago Federa. The picture above shows how it looked from there.

Thank you for reading. Please let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below.