In the heart of the Sesto Dolomites, among pale scree slopes and towering vertical walls, lies the evocative Giralba Frozen Lake, a small alpine basin set into the gravel fields north‑east of the Croda dei Toni and just a short distance from Forcella Giralba. Reaching it means stepping into one of the most authentic and untouched corners of the high mountains.
The hike begins in Sesto, in the Puster Valley, and follows the beautiful Val Fiscalina up to the Capanna di Fondo Valle, the access point to the trails leading toward the Croda dei Toni. From here, a comfortable mule track climbs gently through the valley floor until it reaches a junction where the path becomes narrower and rockier. The trail continues beneath the walls of the Pulpito, and after rounding a rocky spur, the imposing silhouette of the Croda dei Toni appears in all its grandeur.
Continuing along the route, you reach the panoramic Rifugio Zsigmondy‑Comici, one of the most spectacular mountain huts in the Sesto Dolomites. From the hut, a short 15‑minute walk leads to the small alpine lake, often snow‑covered or frozen even in the warmest months. Its still waters, nestled among gravel and rock, create a suspended and silent atmosphere—perfect for a contemplative pause before heading back.
