The hike to Lake Coldai is one of those day hikes in the Dolomites that delivers a lot in terms of views but won’t leave you breathless. If you are a beginner hiker or need to work on your endurance, this hike is for you.
Total round-trip distance
6.9 kilometres / 4.3 miles
Elevation gain
470 meters / 1540 feet
Time required
3-4 hours
The location of the hike
Lake Coldai is a small, high-alpine lake located in the Civetta group in the Italian Dolomites. The lake has beautiful turquoise colours that contrast nicely with the Dolomiti rock. The mountain that reflects on its surface is none other than Monte Civetta. At 3,220 meters, it is the 8th-highest peak in the Dolomites. Its 1000-meter north cliff attracts famous climbers from all over the World. Alleghe, on the mountain’s Northeast side, and Mareson-Pocol, to the East, are the nearest towns.
The map & elevation profile of the hike to Lake Coldai
Important info about the hike
There are multiple routes to Lake Coldai, but in this post, I will focus on the fastest and most straightforward option: the gondola from the top of Col Dei Baldi to the lake and back. You must pick a slightly different route if you hike off-season (from Rifugio Palafavera)
When to go: June to September
Trail difficulty: Moderate
Trail numbers: 561, 556
Type of hike: Out and back
Highest point: 2190 meters / 7185 feet
Parking: 46.40539, 12.02046
Trailhead: 46.4151, 12.06807
Nearest towns: Alleghe, Mareson-Pocol, Pescul, Selva Di Cadore
Getting to Alleghe
To reach the trailhead of the Lake Coldai hike, you must take the two-tier gondola called Pian di Pezzè—Col Dei Baldi. The gondola starts in Alleghe, one of my favourite towns in the Dolomites. During the summer, the gondola runs from the third week of June until the third week of September. You can check the exact times here. The town is small, so you can walk to the gondola station.
By bus
You can reach Alleghe by public transport. A company called Dolomiti Bus covers this route. You can check for schedules on Google Maps or download the Dolomitibus app.
By car
If you travel by car, you can park at the vast parking lot in Alleghe.
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
If you want to have lunch along the trail, you can stop at Rifugio Coldai, 20 minutes before the lake. It’s also possible to stay here overnight. Rifugio Coldai lies on the official Alta Via 1 traverse. It is a busy hut that books out far in advance.
You can also extend the hike from the lake uphill to Rifugio Tissi. This is a slightly quieter refuge with fantastic views of the North face of Mount Civetta. If you want to experience an incredible sunset in the Dolomites, consider staying here overnight. The extension will add approximately 2 hours to your hike.
Where to stay nearby
I recommend staying in Alleghe if you would like to hike to Lake Coldai. It’s a beautiful town located at the foot of Monte Civetta and on Lake Alleghe.
Best Value
Very convenient beachfront location with access to town cafes and restaurants. The Gondola is only a 10-minute walk away.
Top Rated
A great hotel with hard-to-beat views overlooking the turquoise Lake Alleghe and Monte Civetta.
Other activities nearby
Hikes
Via ferrata
Travel resources for the Dolomites
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