Lago di Misurina is the largest natural lake in the Cadore, framed by the Cadini di Misurina, the Sorapis and the Cristallo massif.
The circuit is short and flat, perfect for families, with cafés and rest stops dotted along the shores.
How to get there — Lago di Misurina (1.754 m)
You start on the shores of Lago di Misurina, at 1,754 m, reached by car on the state road that climbs from Auronzo di Cadore or from the Cortina and Carbonin side over Passo Tre Croci. Around the lake there are several paid car parks, run by the hotels and businesses in the area. Misurina is also served by the scheduled buses linking the Cadore to Cortina d'Ampezzo, with a stop right in front of the lake. The toll road to Rifugio Auronzo, at the foot of the Tre Cime, also starts here, handy if you want to combine the two in the same day.
The trailhead is in the Auronzo e Misurina area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.
Stage by stage
1. Hotel shore
Set off along the lively bank, with the Cadini di Misurina filling the skyline.
2. Natural shore
Return along the quieter, shadier side of the lake.
When to go & weather
May to October is the period to aim for, when the perimeter trail is clear and genuinely fit for everyone. Early morning brings still water, the reflections of the Cadini and the Sorapis and an almost empty loop. In summer, in the middle of the day, the hotel shore gets crowded, while the opposite side, more natural and shaded, stays quiet. In winter the lake freezes and the loop becomes an easy walk on the packed snow, in a silence worth the trip.
Recommended gear
- Walking shoes or light trekking shoes. The ground is comfortable and almost flat
- A windproof jacket for the gusts that sweep across the water
- Water and a snack, though there are plenty of bars and kiosks along the shores
- Camera for the reflections of the Cadini and the bulk of the Sorapis
- A pushchair, if you are with small children. The route handles it without problems
Useful tips
- Walk the loop anticlockwise, so you finish along the quieter natural shore
- Come early in the morning. Calm water, easier parking and better light
- Combine the walk with the climb to Rifugio Auronzo for the classic Tre Cime loop
- Keep some coins or a card handy for the private car parks around the lake
- Stop in front of the historic sanatorium and at the viewpoints over the Sorapis for the best shots
Frequently asked questions
Is the Misurina loop suitable for pushchairs?
Yes. It is flat and the surface is almost all easy, so pushchairs and children are no problem.
How long is the loop around Lago di Misurina?
The full loop is just over two and a half kilometres, almost flat: you can do it at an easy pace in an hour, stops and photos included. It is one of the easiest lake loops in the Dolomites.
Can you swim in Lago di Misurina?
It is not for everyone: the water stays cold for much of the year and the lake is enjoyed mostly as a walk, with bars, benches and rest spots along the shores. In fact, the air at Misurina is known to be very healthy, so much so that a respiratory-care institute has been here for decades.
Is Misurina a good base for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo?
Yes, one of the handiest. The toll road that climbs to Rifugio Auronzo starts from here, the starting point of the famous Tre Cime loop: half an hour by car and you are below the most photographed walls in the Dolomites.