Punte de Rocurto – Lago Federa – Cinque Torri – Punte de Rocurto

This absolutely stunning hike gets you to Lago Federa, which must be one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites. It also takes you across a lovely high plateau and then ends below the Cinque Torri. Be prepared to take loads of pictures!

There is plenty of parking at the trail head at the SP636 road. Find the start of trail 437, which will take you all the way up to the lake. The path is very well maintained and starts out evenly, crossing a few bridges and then gently leading uphill.

After a while the path starts getting steeper. It will keep winding uphill, offering some lovely views along the way. Finally you will be on top of the slope, stepping into the sunshine.

Now it’s not far to the lake. In autumn it is very quiet here. In the main season the lake it probably quite crowded, so choose your visiting time wisely. There is a hut by the lake, the Rifugio Croda da Lago, which offers accommodation through the summer but is closed in autumn. There is a path leading around the lake, which is very much worth taking.

From the lake, head osouth towards the Forcella Ambrizola. In autumn there are some lovely orange larch trees along the way. But even in other seasons, the views along the path up to the pass are amazing.

From the pass, the views are stunning across the high plateau and to the mountains in the distance. The path now turns west and leads almost level towards Forcella Giau. Enjoy the great views across the mountains on this section, they are really quite impressive.

Once you reach the Forcella Giau, you can see across the valley on the other side and have a view of the Cinque Torri. The path now leads downhill for a couple hundred height meters. You will come to a junction, where you turn left. Now the path leads uphill again for only a short section to cross another small pass. Afterwards it’s gently downhill to Passo di Giau, a road pass with a large parking lot and hotel.

Cross the road, walk past the hotel and up only a few of the stairs leading uphill. Take the path leading off to the right, towards Cinque Torri. The path now turns a bit rougher, leading slightly up and down. However, the views forwards and backwards are lovely.

You will see Cinque Torri ahead, coming closer as you walk. There are a couple more uphills at the end, one leading up a short but steep gully, then you are on top of a sunny plateau. Make your way to the Cinque Torri hut and enjoy the views, and possibly a hot chocolate.

Past the hut, follow the road for a few meters, then turn right into the path leading back to Punte de Rocurto, the start of the hike. The path downhill leads along a gravel road at first, turning into a smaller path about half way down. Soon you will be back at the start.