Lago delle Baste (aka Laghetto delle Baste, Lago di Baste) is a tiny lake on the Mondeval plateau within the UNESCO System Pelmo – Croda da Lago of the Dolomites. It’s located in the municipality of San Vito di Cadore in the Italian Province of Belluno.
Though incredibly small, Lago delle Baste is nonetheless a worthy hiking destination, because of its impressive location at the foot of Monte Mondeval. Encircled by marshy grasslands, this tiny lake forms the picture-perfect foreground for both Monte Pelmo and Lastoni di Formin.
You can hike to Lago delle Baste from Passo Giau in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Trailhead: Passo Giau, Belluno, Italy | Google Maps
- Distance: 6.5 km out-and-back
- Time Needed: 2:25 hours
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 333 meters
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Minimum Elevation: 2177 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 2359 meters
- Where to Stay in Pocol: Hotel Piccolo Pocol (budget), Ciasa Vervei (midrange), or Hotel Tofana Cortina (luxury)
- Where to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Baita Fraina (midrange), Hotel Villa Alpina (midrange), Camina Suite & Spa (luxury), or HOTEL de LËN (luxury)
Lago delle Baste Hiking Map
Essential Trail Info
How to Get to Passo Giau | Passo Giau (2,236 m) is a high mountain pass in the Belluno province that connects Cortina d’Ampezzo with Selva di Cadore and Colle Santa Lucia. The easiest way to reach the pass is by car. Free parking is available along the roadside at the pass, though spaces are limited. From Cortina d’Ampezzo, the drive takes approximately 25 minutes.
From mid-/late June to mid-/late September, you can reach Passo Giau on Dolomiti Bus Line 30/4, which operates between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Selva di Cadore. Because the service is not frequent, check the timetable ahead of time.
Hiking Season | June – October, depending on snow conditions. We hiked this trail in late October.
Difficulty | Although the hike is relatively easy, it features narrow trails and some scree. Be sure to wear sturdy hiking boots.
Trail Variations | Hike the complete Passo Giau-Mondeval lollipop-circuit trail.
Where to Eat | Berghotel Passo Giau
Responsible Hiking | This trail is located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wild camping and flying drones is forbidden.
Passo Giau to Lago delle Baste Trail Description
Passo Giau – Forcella Zonia – Forcella di Col Piombin (20 minutes)
From Passo Giau, follow trail 436 and the Alta Via 1 long distance trail to Forcella Giau and Mondeval.
With your back towards Ra Gusela, walk in the direction of Monte Cernera. A level, dirt footpath leads to Forcella di Zonia (2229 m).
Looking west, you’ll see Monte Pore/Spiz de Poure, Marmolada and the Sella Group.
This trail crosses the slopes of Col Piombin to Forcella Col Piombin (2239 m).
At the saddle, there’s a turn-off to Monte Cernera. Continue straight on trail 436 in the direction of Forcella Giau.
Forcella di Col Piombin to Forcella Giau (40 minutes)
The trail cuts across the upper Val Cernera valley on an undulating path. Though this trail is easy, there are some rocky passages, which are potentially slippery, because of the polished stones.
At the Cees de Iou (2225 m) intersection, head right and ascend to Forcella Giau (20 minutes).
Forcella Giau to Lago delle Baste (15 minutes)
From Forcella Giau, bear right, leaving trail 436 behind. Descend along the unmarked but well-trodden footpath towards the cluster of boulders and Lago delle Baste.
If you’re looking at the Tabacco 03 Cortina d’Ampezzo, it’s the black-dotted route that leads to the summit of Monte Mondeval.
Lago delle Baste looks like a splash of water at the base of the grassy slope of Monte Mondeval. Rising behind Lago delle Baste is the massive, always-recognizable Mount Pelmo.
After passing a cluster of fallen boulders, known as La Città di Sassi, the grassy trail quickly steers you to the lake.
Lago delle Baste is surrounded by a sensitive marshy area. Please don’t trudge across the grasslands. If you want to walk to the lakeshore, follow the stone footpath.
Continue following the footpath across the Mondeval Plateau for views of Lastoni di Formin, Croda da Lago, and Becco di Mezzodi.
How to Extend the Lago delle Baste Hike
From Lago delle Baste, you can hike to the summit of Monte Mondeval (Corvo Alto) in 20 minutes.
You can also hike to the archaeological burial site of a Mesolithic Hunter, dating back to 10,000 years ago.
For an extended hike on Mondeval, read this Passo Giau – Mondeval Trail Guide.
Where to Stay near Passo Giau
Pocol
Pocol is a small mountain hamlet perched above the Ampezzo Valley, just west of Cortina d’Ampezzo. It lies at the junction of SR48, the road leading from Cortina to Passo Falzarego, and SP638, which winds its way to Passo Giau.
Budget | Hotel Piccolo Pocol is a budget-friendly B&B option with basic rooms and amenities.
Midrange | Ciasa Vervei is a cozy guesthouse with 8 beautiful rooms and a fantastic on-site restaurant.
Luxury | Hotel Tofana Cortina is a new 5-star hotel with a decadent spa, swimming pool, and on-site restaurant. Extra perk: guests can utilize the hotel shuttle to Cortina’s town center, which runs every 30 minutes during the day.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Ringed by the Ampezzo Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo boasts a central and stunning location in the Ampezzo Valley in Veneto. You can stay here for a few days or for several weeks and never run out of things to see and do. If you need extra guidance on the best places to stay, including tips on finding affordable accommodation around Cortina, read Where to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Budget | Hotel Meuble Oasi is a guesthouse with on-site parking set on the edge of Cortina’s town center, walking distance to the pedestrian zone and bus station.
Midrange | Baita Fraina is a charming B&B with six rooms with balconies, 3km from Cortina’s town center (5 minute drive). This guesthouse is also home to a Michelin recommended à la carte restaurant, which serves regional cuisine. Stay here for the mountain views, the affordability, and the food.
Midrange | Hotel Villa Alpina is a centrally-located 3-star-superior hotel housed in a historic villa. Rooms are comfortable and feature parquet floors and alpine furnishings. The room rate includes breakfast and outdoor parking.
Midrange | Ambra Cortina Luxury&Fashion Hotel is a lovely boutique hotel with 24 thematic rooms and a bar in the very center of Cortina. Guests are treated to free on-site parking and an excellent breakfast.
Top Choice – Luxury | Camina Suite & Spa is a 4-star boutique hotel, 1 km north of Cortina’ town center. This intimate hotel with 12 rooms offers alpine-style suites with comfy beds and ample closet space. Rooms are equipped with nespresso machines, air-conditioning, and soundproofing. We loved the high-quality breakfast and complimentary spa (3 saunas, relaxation zone, and showers). Read our Camina Suite & Spa hotel review.
Top Choice – Luxury | HOTEL de LËN is a fresh-faced luxury hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo’s town center. Interiors blend natural and sustainable materials with fine furnishings to create a relaxing, yet refined atmosphere. The hotel restaurant showcases local Ampezzo flavors in unique and exciting ways. We loved the charming, enthusiastic staff, the rooftop spa (1 complimentary hour), and communal areas (living room, cocktail bar, and restaurant). Breakfast is included in the room rate. Parking is off-site and an extra charge. Read our Hotel de Len review.
Luxury | Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo, A Radisson Collection Hotel is a top-rated, 5-star hotel in the center of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Although housed in a historic building, the entire interior has been renovated. Rooms are delightfully modern. Stay here for the superb on-site restaurant, impeccable staff and concierge, top-notch facilities (spa, indoor pool, bar, and lobby area).
More Luxury Hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Dolomiti Lodge Alverà, Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo, Rosapetra SPA Resort, and Faloria Mountain Spa Resort
Look for accommodation in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
More Hikes around Cortina d’Ampezzo
Ampezzo Dolomites:
- Cortina d’Ampezzo Hiking Guide
- Lago di Sorapis Hike
- Croda da Lago Circuit
- Tofana di Roses Circuit
- Lago Federa
- Rifugio Nuvolau and Cinque Torri
Sesto / Sexten Dolomites:
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo Circuit Trail
- Sentiero Bonacossa North Circuit Trail
- Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint Hike
- Torre dei Scarperi Circuit Trail
- Val Fiscalina
Braies / Prags Dolomites:
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