A mountain hut on the shores of Lago di Sorapis, the destination of the iconic turquoise-lake hike.
Rifugio Vandelli sits at roughly 1,928 metres on the shore of Lago di Sorapis, the glacial lake known for its milky turquoise water. It tucks in under the walls of the Sorapis Group, near the spire they call the Dito di Dio, and the setting is hard to beat anywhere in the Ampezzano Dolomites. Photographers love it. The hut went up in 1890 and marks the end of one of the most popular walks near Cortina, a route that threads through scree, rock faces, and the clear water of the lake, which sits just a hundred metres away.
You walk in from Passo Tre Croci on trail 215, scenic and mostly through forest, but watch out: there are some exposed sections fitted with fixed ropes, and you need a steady step. The kitchen does traditional mountain food, good for a break by the water. There are just under forty beds in dormitories sleeping six to eight, so you can stay the night. That is when the lake is at its best, after the day hikers leave and the silence comes back.
The starting point is Passo Tre Croci, on the road linking Cortina to Misurina. You drive there and find a car park right at the pass, at the start of trail 215, but the spaces are few and on summer days they fill up early in the morning. It pays to arrive early, or to look at the line buses that climb from Cortina along the same road. The good season runs from late June to September, when the trail is clear of snow and the fixed ropes are safer. In spring and early autumn snow can linger on the exposed sections, so check conditions before you set off. The walk to the lake takes about two hours, and the same again to get back.
Services & info
Trails passing through Rifugio Vandelli
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Rifugio Vandelli?
You walk in from Passo Tre Croci on trail 215. It is scenic, but it has some exposed sections fitted with fixed ropes, so take those carefully.
Can I stay overnight at Rifugio Vandelli?
Yes. It has just under forty beds in dormitories. Stay the night and you get Lago di Sorapis at its quietest, well away from the midday crowds.
Is the trail to Rifugio Vandelli difficult?
It is not especially tough, but there are exposed sections fitted with metal cables. You need a steady step and a head for heights, and it is not one to do with very young children.
Where do I park for Rifugio Vandelli?
There is a car park at Passo Tre Croci, at the start of trail 215, but it has few spaces and fills up early in summer. Arrive first thing in the morning, or take a line bus up from Cortina that stops at the pass. Fares and timetables are worth checking for the current year.
How long does it take to reach Rifugio Vandelli?
From Passo Tre Croci it is about a two-hour walk to the lake and the hut, with modest height gain but a few exposed, roped sections. Allow the same time to walk back. It is a day trip you can do at an easy pace.