SunreachTravel · Updated
Dolomites sunrise and sunset: when the sun really reaches 9 famous spots
In the Dolomites the sunrise time depends on where you stand: on 21 June the sun reaches Seceda at 05:15, before the flat-horizon sunrise of 05:18, but Lago di Braies only at 09:18. On 21 December Lago di Sorapis gets no direct sun at all.
Sunreach is a 3D and AR sun tracker for iPhone and iPad, coming soon to the App Store. This guide describes the current app; planned upgrades are listed separately. Terrain coverage varies by location.
When does the sun reach the famous Dolomites spots?
High viewpoints get the sun within minutes of sunrise; lakes and villages under big walls get it hours later. In midsummer the range runs from 05:15 at Seceda to 09:18 at Lago di Braies; in midwinter several spots get only an hour or two.
| Spot | Height | 21 June | 21 September | 21 December |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seceda | 2471 m | 05:15–21:14 | 07:21–19:20 | 08:46–16:44 |
| Passo Giau | 2221 m | 05:29–20:57 | 07:34–19:12 | 08:48–16:19 |
| Rifugio Locatelli (Tre Cime di Lavaredo) | 2406 m | 05:23–20:11 | 07:29–18:52 | 09:15–15:58 |
| Alpe di Siusi (Compatsch) | 1841 m | 05:50–20:46 | 07:18–19:21 | 08:50–15:22 |
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | 1225 m | 06:21–19:07 | 08:33–18:01 | 08:56–15:18 |
| Ortisei (Val Gardena) | 1238 m | 06:48–20:15 | 08:05–18:19 | 09:50–11:50 |
| Lago di Carezza | 1545 m | 06:55–20:27 | 08:18–18:38 | 11:39–11:55 and 12:30–13:32 |
| Lago di Braies | 1485 m | 09:18–17:49 | 10:34–17:14 | 10:52–11:57 |
| Lago di Sorapis | 1918 m | 06:21–06:53 and 07:26–18:40 | 10:35–17:25 | no direct sun |
For comparison, the flat-horizon sunrise and sunset in Cortina are 05:18–21:08 on 21 June and 07:52–16:26 on 21 December. Local time (CET/CEST).
Times are direct sun on the spot with the terrain counted, computed by Sunreach from 40 m terrain; read them as ±5 minutes. Each spot is a single point (coordinates in the app); a few hundred metres along a lake shore can change the time by several minutes.
Where is the best sunrise in the Dolomites?
On high ground with an open view east: Seceda, Rifugio Locatelli (Tre Cime di Lavaredo), Passo Giau get direct sun within 15 minutes of the flat-horizon sunrise in June. Seceda, Passo Giau and Rifugio Locatelli have low warm sun on the spot every morning of the year.
Seceda's summit (2471 m) stands above most of its skyline, so the sun appears there 5 min before the flat-horizon sunrise. At Rifugio Locatelli the classic view is the north faces of the Tre Cime catching the first light; the hut itself gets sun at 05:23 in June and 09:15 in December. Golden hour in the mountains explains why only high spots get low golden sun.
Sunreach computes this for any spot on Earth, from the real terrain around it. Get the app ↓
When are the Dolomites lakes in the sun?
Late. Lago di Braies gets direct sun from 09:18 in June and only 10:52–11:57 in December; Lago di Sorapis from 10:35 in September and not at all on 21 December, so at sunrise the lakes are in shade while the peaks above them glow.
That is the classic Lago di Braies sunrise photo: the peaks above the lake lit pink and orange, reflected in water that is still in shade. Sunlit turquoise water comes later in the morning. Lago di Carezza gets sun from 06:55 in June but only 11:39–11:55 and 12:30–13:32 in December. See Lago di Braies month by month.
Which Dolomites villages get the most winter sun?
Of the two bases, Cortina d'Ampezzo has direct sun 08:56–15:18 on 21 December (6 h 22 min), Ortisei in Val Gardena only 09:50–11:50 (2 h 1 min). The flat-horizon day is 8 h 34 min.
Ortisei sits low in a narrow valley with steep slopes to the south; Cortina lies in a wide basin. For a sunny winter stay, high places do better still: Alpe di Siusi has sun 08:50–15:22 on the shortest day.
How accurate are these Dolomites sun times?
About ±5 minutes. They come from 40 m global terrain, which smooths sharp summits and misses trees and buildings; refraction adds ±2–4 minutes when the sun is very low.
South Tyrol and Veneto publish their own lidar, which Sunreach does not use yet. The method is in About the data.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunrise at Lago di Braies?
The flat-horizon sunrise there is 05:18 on 21 June and 07:53 on 21 December, but direct sun reaches the lake only at 09:18 and 10:52. At sunrise the peaks above the lake are lit and the water is in shade.
Is Seceda better at sunrise or sunset?
Both get low sun on the summit: on 21 June the sun is on Seceda 05:15–21:14, nearly the whole flat-horizon day. For sunrise you have to hike up in the dark or stay at a hut: the lift does not run that early (Bon Traveler).
Where should I stay in the Dolomites for winter sun?
High and open: Alpe di Siusi, the passes and the wide Cortina basin keep the sun much longer than the narrow valleys of Val Gardena. On 21 December Cortina has 6 h 22 min of direct sun against 2 h 1 min in Ortisei.
Sources
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