Lakes and waterfalls of the Dolomites
Cool, family-friendly spots. The prettiest alpine lakes and waterfalls in the Dolomites, all easy to reach.
Alpine lakes are the postcard shot of the Dolomites, and you almost always reach them on an easy walk. That makes them ideal for families and for anyone who wants a calm half day. We've sorted the lakes and waterfalls by area, with the kind of path and how long it takes to get there.
Lake Braies, the turquoise Lake Sorapis and Lake Carezza with its mirror reflections get most of the searches. But there's more: the gentle loop around Lake Misurina, or the bigger drama of the Fanes Waterfalls. Many lakes are perfect for a picnic or a lie in the sun come summer. One thing to know: swimming is nearly always banned, to keep these fragile spots intact.
Foto: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lakes & waterfalls trails
Trail · Comelico e Sappada
Sappada Waterfalls and the Source of the Piave: the Water Loop
2 h↑ 200 m6 km
Trail · Val Pusteria e Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies Loop: the easy circuit around the Pearl of the Dolomites
1 h 15↑ 30 m3.5 km
Trail · Val di Sesto (Alta Pusteria)
Lago di Dobbiaco Loop: an easy walk in the Alta Pusteria
1 h 15↑ 40 m4 km
Trail · Auronzo e Misurina
Lago di Misurina Circuit: an easy stroll at the foot of the Tre Cime
1 h↑ 20 m2.6 km
Trail · Cortina d'Ampezzo
Lago di Sorapis: the hike to the turquoise lake from Passo Tre Croci
4 h↑ 434 m10.5 km