Leave behind the crowds of Venice for a day trip to the Dolomites, with stops at Lake Santa Croce, Pieve di Cadore, Cortina, Lake Auronzo, Lake Misurina, and back to Cortina. Experience spectacular landscapes and plenty of photo opportunities. Travel through tunnels with incredible views of canyons and valleys that seem to materialize from nowhere. This region’s scenery is truly among Europe’s most breathtaking. We begin at Lake Santa Croce, where the Dolomites’ peaks are beautifully reflected in the lake’s clear waters. Then, we head to Pieve di Cadore for a brief walk and maybe a cappuccino. Our journey continues to the picturesque Lake Auronzo, passing through enchanting mountain villages.
The Lago di Santa Croce, located in the province of Belluno, Veneto, northern Italy, is a semi-natural lake that spans the communes of Alpago and Ponte nelle Alpi. Situated at 386 meters (1,266 feet) above sea level, the lake covers an area of 7.2 square kilometers (2.8 square miles) with an average depth of 33 meters (108 feet). Originally smaller, the lake was expanded with a dam in the 1930s. Its primary outlet is the Piave River. Known for its windy conditions, Lago di Santa Croce is a favored spot for sailing, watersports, and kitesurfing.
Pieve di Cadore is a municipality in the province of Belluno, in the Veneto region of Italy. With a population of approximately 3,833 inhabitants, it covers an area of 66 square kilometers, resulting in a population density of 58 inhabitants per square kilometer. It borders Calalzo di Cadore, Cimolais (PN), Domegge di Cadore, Perarolo di Cadore, Valle di Cadore, and Vodo Cadore. This town is notably known as the birthplace of the renowned Italian Renaissance painter Titian (1490-1576).
Nestled in Valle d'Ansei, within Auronzo di Cadore municipality, Lake Auronzo stretches for two kilometers. This pristine lake, a favorite in Veneto, is renowned for its serene atmosphere and popularity. Located in the Province of Belluno, Lake Auronzo is an artificial reservoir formed by a dam constructed in the 1930s, altering the course of the Ansei River. Rising 55 meters tall, the dam was completed in 1932, creating a reservoir capable of holding 6.25 million cubic meters of water. Adjacent to the dam stands a quaint 16th-century chapel dedicated to St. Cristina, lending the lake an alternative name: Lake of Santa Cristina.
You will make your own way to the meeting points