Lago delle Baste

Lake Baste

Mondeval | Selva di Cadore | UNESCO Dolomites

Lake Baste (2,150 m a.s.l.) is a small yet incredibly picturesque body of water in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Dolomites, nestled at the foot of Mount Mondeval on the Mondeval de Sora plateau near Forcella Giau.

Geographically located in Val Fiorentina (Alto Agordino), Lake Baste is situated within the municipal territory of San Vito di Cadore and is enclosed by the imposing walls of UNESCO Dolomites System 1: Pelmo – Croda da Lago.

🏔️ SUMMARY HIKING FACT SHEET

Altitude: 2,150 m a.s.l.
Location: Mondeval de Sora Plateau (UNESCO System 1 Pelmo – Croda da Lago)
Difficulty: T/E (Tourist / Easy Hiking from Passo Giau) | E (Medium Hiking from Toffol / Selva di Cadore)
Travel Time: Approx. 45-60 min from Passo Giau | Approx. 2 hours from Toffol (Selva di Cadore)
Connected Points of Interest: Mesolithic burial site of the Om de Mondeval, Lastoni di Formin, Piz del Corvo

Lake Baste and Mount Pelmo Mondeval Selva di Cadore UNESCO Dolomites — Mount Pelmo reflected in the clear waters of Lake Baste

Although not massive in size, Lake Baste is a premier attraction that enhances any excursion to the Mondeval Plateau. Its waters mirror the unmistakable profile of Mount Pelmo (“the Almighty’s Armchair”), a unique feature that has made it one of the most iconic and photographed places in the UNESCO Dolomites, immensely popular across all social media platforms.

The surface area of the lake is subject to strong seasonal variations depending on snowmelt and precipitation trends, and it can shrink significantly during the warmest and driest periods of summer.

Lake Baste is easily reached from Passo Giau by following the signs for Forcella Giau and Forcella Ambrizzola (along the famous Croda da Lago Tour itinerary) with a pleasant walk within reach of most hikers.

For those who prefer a more demanding trek, it is possible to ascend from the hamlet of Toffol in Selva di Cadore by taking CAI Trail 465 (about a 2-hour climb). From the Ampezzo side, the lake can be reached by passing Forcella Ambrizzola from the Croda da Lago / Federa Refuge and crossing Mondeval toward Passo Giau.

Glance of Lake Baste and Passo Giau in the Dolomites — Alpine landscape around Lake Baste

In the immediate vicinity of the lake rise the vertical walls of the Lastoni di Formin, the site of the discovery of the mesolithic burial of the Om de Mondeval, and the peaks of Piz del Corvo and Mount Mondeval. To complete your visit, we recommend combining your outdoor excursion with a stop at the charming Val Fiorentina Civic Museum “Vittorino Cazzetta” in Selva di Cadore, where the prehistoric hunter’s mummy and his grave goods are preserved.

⚠️ Respect for the high-altitude alpine environment: Lake Baste is an extremely delicate high-altitude ecosystem. All visitors and photographers are urged to stay on existing trails, avoid trampling the surrounding bogs, refrain from stepping on the lake edges, and always pack out their trash.

Lastoni di Formin and Lake Baste Mondeval — The majestic Lastoni di Formin overlook the plateau near Lake Baste

Tourist Information and Reference Offices

Val Fiorentina Pro Loco (Selva di Cadore)
Phone +39 0437 720243 | Email: info@valfiorentina.it