Hike to Lake Pianozes, a hidden gem in Cortina d’Ampezzo

The hike from Cortina city centre to Lake Pianozes has it all: wonderful views of the Italian Dolomites, a pretty little lake surrounded by lush forest, and very little elevation gain.

We went on this hike with a stroller for our 4-month-old baby and managed quite easily; we also went again with our Stokke baby carrier when Alex was one year old. Read below about one of the best hikes for families with children in the Dolomites.

Get ready

Important info about the walk to Pianozes Lake:

Length: 2,5 km one-way, 5 km return
Time: approx. 1 hour to get there, same to come back, plus at least 15-20 minutes at the Lake
Difficulty: easy
Equipment: comfortable shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen/wind jacket and mini umbrella, water and snacks according to your needs
Resting stops: there are a restaurant and a kiosk at Lake Pianozes, with tables, food and drinks. There is a restroom at the restaurant, but consumption may be required. They may be closed off-season (autumn and spring)

Note on the stroller: we went with our beloved GB Pockit+ All-City, which has very small wheels. It was fine, but it’s certainly easier with a pram with large wheels like this. You can rent one at Due e Due shop.

Be efficient and spontaneous: bring with you only what is strictly necessary. Don’t overthink it! You will be out for a maximum of 3 hours: do you really need a full diaper bag, 2 liters of water, 4 different toys?

Planning your trip? Find here more ideas about what to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Itinerary from Cortina to Lake Pianozes

This easy walk starts from the city centre, goes South  through a dirt road on a hill (called “ex-Polveriera”, the dusty road), crosses the neighborhood of Campo, and finally leads up through the woods until Lake Pianozes.

Start from parking lot “Parcheggio Via del Parco” (map here), located in the city centre, close to the cemetery. Walk down towards the river, cross the bridge, and start the dirt road “Ex-Polveriera” with a short, steep climb. Congratulations, you have just made it through the hardest part of the hike!

For the next 20 minutes, enjoy the open valley around you: no houses, no noises, just fresh air, warm sunshine, and the sound of crickets from the fields.

Look around you at the beautiful Dolomites: peaks Faloria and Sorapis to your left, Tofana to your right, Croda da Lago and Becco di Mezzodì in front of you. Turn around for the special treat: the iconic bell tower with Pomagagnon in the background. This is definitely one of the most panoramic hikes in the Dolomites.

When you reach the end of the dirt road, the neighbourhood of Campo begins (map here). Follow the tar road between the cute, traditional houses: the wooden back for hay storage and animals, the stone front for the family, and colourful flowers on the carved balconies.

Keep the right and follow the signs for Lago Pianozes for approximately 10 minutes through the fields and houses until a small power plant by a stream (map here). (Short time or bad weather? You can get here by car, or take bus n.2 of the local Cortina buses, till stop Campo di sopra/Campo di sotto)

Now, the tar road goes straight uphill in the cool forest for approximately 10 minutes. It is just slightly wider than a car, so be careful with kids and prams. At the fork, take the left to  Lago Pianozes (map here).

Lake Pianozes

You made it to Lake Pianozes! Take it all in: the calm, green lake opens up to the sky, surrounded by meadows and the fresh smell of the forest, while imposing peaks watch in the distance. This is a true hidden gem in Cortina.

Right at the arrival there is the main restaurant and a few parking places.

On the other side of the lake, there is a small kiosk with tables and umbrellas. Head over there for a coffee and a snack (or an ice cream and an Aperol spritz, like us 🙂 ).

Watch out: they may be closed off-season (spring and autumn) so check the opening hours on their Facebook page.

Wonderful photo spots are all around the lake, with mountains, the restaurant, the stream or the forest as background. The atmosphere is magical even in the winter, when it’s all white and silent.

Most importantly, Lake Pianozes is perfect for kids: they can run around the lake, watch the tadpoles at the edge of the water, get up close to the trees and plants, and go up and down a slide.

You can spend just 10-15 at Lake Pianozes, or much more.

The way back

Going back to Cortina the same way is the easiest solution. It should take approximately the same time, 1 hour.

Otherwise, you can catch bus n.2 from the corner at the bottom of the road from the lake, at stop Campo di Sopra/Sotto after Salieto.

Lake Pianozes with snow in the spring

When Alex was about to turn 1, in April, we hiked to Lake Pianozes again. With some snow still on the meadows and around the lake, the scenery was quite different, but just as beautiful.

Have you enjoyed this hike? Did you go with your children? Tell us your story in the comments!