Croda da Lago tour

Difficulty
Difficult
Start
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Arrival
Cortina d'Ampezzo

A remarkable Trail Running route that flanks the Croda da Lago mountain chain, going through forests and alongside one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites.

A route that flanks the Croda da Lago mountain chain, starting from one of the most characteristic Cortina villages and running through forests and alongside Lake Federa, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites.

 The trail is located in the southern part of the valley, in the Croda da Lago area.

From the centre, head towards the Lungo Boite bridge and cross it. Then bear leftwards, and before the car park, take the road going uphill on the right. Go up through the village of Crignes. At a certain point, the road forks; continue uphill on the right towards the hamlet Meleres. Once you have gone through the village, cross the road Strada Statale 48 and enter the village of Lacedel, heading towards the skiing pistes that are situated right behind the houses. On the right you will see the Socrepes Baby chairlift, and on the left, track n° 403 which you should take, going gently uphill until you reach Pocol. From here, take the provincial road Strada Provinciale 638 (towards the Giau Pass) until you reach Peziè de Parù. When you are in the vicinity, take track n° 434 before the Malga Peziè de Parù mountain hut, and this takes you directly to Croda da Lago.

The route, running gently uphill and set in the forest, will bring you to the foot of the majestic, famous Croda da Lago. When you reach the junction, keep left and carry on along track n° 434, which runs alongside the entire group of peaks. Stay on the track until you reach the Rifugio Palmieri mountain lodge, set on the shores of Lake Federa, a small oasis of paradise that never fails to astound its visitors. The atmosphere that you encounter when you reach the mountain lodge is absolutely unique: the colours, the nature, and Mount Becco di Mezzodì opposite make Lake Federa one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Dolomites.

 Head on until you reach the gully Forcella Ambrizzola and, on the right, take track n° 435 which will lead you between the Croda da Lago and Lastoi de Formin mountain groups in a surreal, almost lunar atmosphere created by the Dolomite rocks. After having completed the climb, the rest of the route is all downhill. Stay on the trail until it re-joins track n° 434 and from there you can return to Cortina by following the same route of the outward section.

Downloads

Rest points

Rifugio 5 Torri, Rifugio Scoiattoli, Rifugio Averau, Rifugio Nuvolau

Info

Length
22,50 km
Ground
10% paved road, 20% dirt road, 70% single track
Positive elevation gain
1.610 m
Best time
June - September