Lago di Misurina
Lake Misurina is located in the Belluno Dolomites, just a few kilometers away from Cortina d’Ampezzo, making it perfect for a day trip for those spending a holiday in the Ampezzo area.
The lake is surrounded by a spectacular mountain setting and offers various activities and interesting places to explore.
The lake has a legend about its origins that fascinates those who hear it:
The legend tells of Misurina, the only daughter of King Sorapiss, ruler of the lands between the Tofane, Antelao, Marmarole, and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Misurina was a spoiled child, very capricious and mischievous, but she was also very graceful. For King Sorapiss, who was widowed, she was the sole reason for living. Hence, the king justified the girl’s behavior by blaming everything on the suffering she felt due to the absence of a mother figure. Upon reaching the age of eight, Misurina learned about the existence of a fairy living on Mount Cristallo, who owned a magic mirror that could read the thoughts of anyone who looked into it. Misurina begged her father for a long time to get her the mirror, which she desired at all costs, until Sorapiss gave in and accompanied her. The fairy resisted for a long time because she did not want to satisfy the whimsical girl but, faced with Sorapiss’s tears, eventually agreed, however, setting a condition in the hope that the king and his daughter would give up. The fairy had a beautiful garden full of gorgeous flowers on Mount Cristallo, but the excess sun withered them prematurely. So she asked in exchange for the mirror that Sorapiss agree to be turned into a mountain that would protect her garden with its shadow. The king agreed.
When Misurina received the mirror and was informed of the pact, she didn’t fall apart; instead, she was thrilled at the idea that her father would become a mountain to make her happy, on which she could run and play. But at that very moment, as Misurina contemplated the mirror, Sorapiss began to transform, swelling and changing color: his hair became trees and his wrinkles crevasses.
Suddenly Misurina realized she was high up on the mountain that had been her father and, looking down, she became dizzy and fell into the void. King Sorapiss, in his last moments of life, had to watch helplessly as his daughter tragically died. From his still-open eyes flowed so many tears that they formed two streams which gathered in the valley creating an immense lake, named after Misurina. The mirror, falling, shattered among the rocks and the fragments were swept down to the valley by the tears of the king’s streams, where even today they give multicolored reflections and make Lake Misurina a unique place in the world.
- Walk around the lake
A panoramic trail surrounds Lake Misurina; the walk is easy and also suitable for children, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains as well as the calm waters of the lake, which reflect the sky above.
- Restaurants with lake view
It is possible to enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants along the shores of the lake, savoring, in addition to the food, the tranquility of the lake and the majesty of the mountains.
- Lago Antorno
A short distance from Lake Misurina is Lake Antorno, a small alpine lake that in winter, when temperatures are cold, becomes a splendid ice skating rink surrounded by fir trees and mountains.
- Bike ride around the lake
An alternative way to explore the lake is to go around the lake by mountain bike: fun and sporty.
- Beach and playground
On the shores of the lake, you can relax on the beach while the children play in the adjacent playground near the waters of the lake.
- Cappella di Sant’ Antonio
Not far from Lake Misurina is the Chapel of Sant’Antonio, a small delightful church to visit.
- Water activities
During the summer period on the waters of the lake, you can engage in some water activities such as wind surfing or rent a pedal boat or a rowing boat to explore the lake from the inside.
