Hey, what’s up?

Glad you’ve made it this far—go on, grab some popcorn or a bag of crisps (preferably the crunchy kind)—and welcome to Chapter 3 of our Italy trip!

If you’ve been following along, you’ll remember that the day before, we were living our best sun-drenched lives at Lake Garda, before heading off to check into our Airbnb in the Dolomites.

Now, I could talk about that magical Airbnb here… but I’ll save it for another post (no promises though—just like Demi Lovato said, “Sorry Not Sorry”).

Our first adventure in the Dolomites was a hike to Lago di Sorapis, a stunning alpine lake nestled in the Sorapiss mountain range. According to Google—and let’s be honest, our main travel consultant—it’s one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites. But then again, beauty is in the eye of the passport holder… or something like that.

Getting there involved a proper hike. From our Airbnb, it was about a 1.5-hour drive to the starting point of the trail. And along the way, we stumbled across a mystery lake with a breathtaking backdrop of jagged mountain peaks. It was one of those “accidental paradise” moments—majestic, serene, and totally not marked on Google Maps.

I tried searching for it later but had no luck. If anyone reading this has any clue what this lake is called, drop a comment and help a clueless tourist out. Grazie in advance!

Here’s a shot of the lake without Danial blocking the view—you’re welcome.

Which version do you like better: with Danial or without? (Vote in the imaginary poll I just created.)

The lake reflected the mountains so perfectly it looked like something out of a Bob Ross painting—if Bob Ross ever painted Italian dreamscapes.

So yes, this random lake that we can’t name? Definitely a hidden gem. Or maybe just hidden. Either way, 10/10, would recommend… if you can find it.

So, we parked our car by the side of the road and began our journey on Trail 215. According to Hasha, it’s one of the common routes to Lago di Sorapis—a.k.a. the “easy” one. But we all know that when someone says “easy hike,” it usually translates to: “You might survive, good luck.”

And let me tell you, for someone as elegantly unfit as I am, this hike was a full-on challenge. I was panting, sweating, and rethinking every life decision that brought me to this mountain. But shoutout to Hasha, the real MVP of the day—she led us through the trail like a seasoned Sherpa. We made it to Sorapis safe, sound, and only mildly traumatised.

The hike began with the weather doing its own thing—light rain on and off, and the air was chilly. At first, the trail was pleasantly flat, so we were living the dream: casually strolling, snapping random photos, and pretending we were in an Italian hiking advert.

I actually love hiking in the rain in Europe. It’s not too hot, the scenery’s dramatic, and best of all—no leeches. If this were Malaysia, I’d probably be anaemic by now. The leeches back home are basically my number one fans. VIP access to my bloodstream.

As we continued, we came across a few picturesque spots—the kind you’ll miss if you blink or get distracted by your burning thighs. One of my favourite shots from the hike is this one:

1. You’ve got Adam’s belly making a surprise appearance,
2. Danial being the most dramatic hiker in all of Dolomites,
3. and me? Just your usual chill, unproblematic, emotionally stable bloke in the background.

Here are a few more photos I just had to share. Please enjoy this one of the group giving a collective thumbs down. The weather was moodier than a teenager—cloudy, cold, and clearly not in the mood to help us get that perfect sunlit shot. The sun was playing hide-and-seek… and it was winning.

After a while, the hike started getting more intense—steeper elevations, narrower paths, and what I would generously describe as a “challenging trail.” At one point, I’m pretty sure we were hiking right next to a ravine… but thankfully, the clouds were kind enough to cover it up. Out of sight, out of mind—and definitely out of panic.

With a few breaks (and more than a few minor mental breakdowns), we eventually made it to the top. At first, it was so foggy we couldn’t even see the lake. Imagine climbing all that way just to be greeted by a wall of mist. But then, just as we were starting to lose hope, the fog lifted and the sun came out like it had just clocked in for work. We were so grateful in that moment—it honestly felt like nature was giving us a slow clap.

And now… feast your eyes on Lago di Sorapis through the lens of my trusty Canon. Beautiful, right? That unreal blue colour comes from finely ground rock particles—mainly limestone—suspended in glacier meltwater. (Google fact, not mine. If it’s wrong, blame the search algorithm.)

Here’s another shot of the lake, this time with a reflection so perfect it looked Photoshopped in real life. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too crowded up there—probably because not many tourists are ready to take on a 13km hike at altitude just to see a lake (even if it looks like it belongs in a fantasy film).

We spent the whole day doing this hike, and honestly? 100% worth it.

Oh—and plot twist—we even bumped into fellow Malaysians at the lake! A super-fit couple who breezed past us like they were out for a morning jog. They even overtook us on the way down. I’m happy for them. Really. (No, I’m not bitter. Just sore. Very sore.)

So, after finally reaching the lake and taking approximately 547 photos from every possible angle, it was time for lunch. The rest of the group brought Pek Kembara (Malaysian-style packed food), while I—being the minimalist (or just picky)—decided to survive on Hasha’s protein bar. I don’t really enjoy eating while hiking; I prefer to focus all my energy on breathing and staying alive.

Here’s a glimpse of what some parts of the trail looked like.

On the way back, the rain had thankfully stopped, which made the hike slightly easier. But because of the earlier downpour, the trail was now a muddy, slippery obstacle course. Going downhill became a test of both balance and faith. One wrong step and you’re sliding down like it’s a budget amusement park ride.

Pro tip: Wear proper hiking shoes! (Fashionable sneakers don’t count. Trust me.)

The sky cleared up beautifully on our way down too. I managed to snap this shot of the rocky mountain peaks peeking out from behind the clouds—honestly, not something you see every day (unless you live inside a postcard).

If you’ve made it this far—you’re the real MVP. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this slightly chaotic, very scenic hike with us.

Stay tuned for Chapter 4. Until next time: Peace and Ciao! 🇮🇹