Lago di Braies is one of the most beautiful but also one of the most touristy lakes in Italy. In this guide, Lago di Braies, Italy: Everything You Need to Know and Where to Park, I cover what to expect, how to get there, and practical tips about visiting. Annually, this emerald lake in the heart of the Dolomites is visited by over 1.2 million tourists. Lago di Braies is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, making it one of the most valuable natural treasures in South Tyrol.
Where is Lago Di Braies Located
Lago di Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee or Lake Prags, is located in the Braies Valley in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. This magnificent alpine lake at 1496 meters above sea level lies south of Alta Pusteria, between the towns of Bruneck and Toblach.
It is surrounded by the natural park Fanes-Sennes-Braies, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. This park offers not only breathtaking views but also rich fauna and flora. The lake is protected as a natural monument, which testifies to its extraordinary ecological and aesthetic value.
Lago di Braies is characterized by emerald to turquoise water, whose charm is enhanced by the surrounding landscape composed of pines and larches. In autumn, these trees are adorned in fiery colors, further enhancing the lake’s beauty. Above it rises the majestic mountain Croda del Becco.
Its geographical location near Lanzoni and the climbing center Cortina d’Ampezzo makes the lake a popular tourist destination. Accessibility by car from Innsbruck takes less than two hours, making it an easily accessible destination with magnificent scenery.
How Lago Di Braies Was Formed
Lago di Braies was formed as a result of a natural phenomenon known as lago di sbarramento (a lake formed by damming). Geologically, it was formed centuries ago when massive rockslides blocked water flows in the Braies Valley, thus creating this magnificent mountain lake.
The water that accumulated behind the rocks gave rise to the lake, whose waters now drain through underground channels.
According to legend, its origin is linked to the local “wild” mountain dwellers, who created the lake to protect their treasures from greedy shepherds. They opened underground springs, whose waters flooded the valley and formed the lake, thus separating the mountains from the valley.
Access to the lake is very easy thanks to a road leading almost to the water’s surface. This easy access makes Lago di Braies a popular destination for trips in the Dolomites.
How to get to Lago Di Braies and where to Park
The easiest way to get to Lago di Braies is by car; the lake is about a 1.5-hour drive from Bolzano. When driving north on the A22 motorway, you then need to follow signs to Bruneck and further to the lake.
Public transport works quite well here. From Cortina d’Ampezzo, you can take bus line 445, which will transport you via Dobbiaco/Toblach to Lago di Braies.
Parking at Lago Di Braies
As more and more tourists flock to Lago di Braies, parking options were restricted in 2024, even though there is a huge parking lot in front of the lake, during the main summer season from July 10 to September 10, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, the road was closed to cars, motorcycles, and buses without prior reservation.
If you wanted to come here, it was necessary to purchase a DAY-STAY TICKET for €38, which secured you a spot at the nearest parking lot P4 by the lake and also included a food voucher worth €15, which could be redeemed at the local restaurants (Emma’s Bistro or Panorama Restaurant).
However, you could easily park in more distant parking lots.
What to Do at Lago Di Braies
Lago di Braies in the Dolomites is one of the most beautiful places you can visit, which is also why there is such a huge number of tourists here. Its emerald waters and magnificent mountain backdrop attract tourists from all over the world.
If you do come here, we recommend at least walking around the lake; this route is approximately 3.6 km long and takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
If you prefer more challenging hikes, you can try climbing Croda del Becco (2810 m), from where you’ll have magnificent views of the Dolomites.
Another option is a trip to Malga Foresta, where a relatively gentle trail leads, suitable even for families with children. This trip includes a beautiful walk through the forest and a pleasant stop at a mountain hut.
For those looking for something exceptional, try heading to Picco di Vallandro for panoramic views; if you’re up for it, it’s best there at sunrise.
All trails are well-marked and lead through the beautiful landscape of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies park, so no matter what you choose, you’ll be thrilled.
Boat Rental at Lago Di Braies
One of the most popular activities is to go boating on Lago di Braies. Wooden rowboats are available for rent there from June to the end of September, every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The price is €18 for half an hour or €28 per hour. Sometimes, there’s a wait of up to 2 hours for them.
Where to Stay at Lago Di Braies + Restaurant Tips
If you want to stay right by the lake, on the shore is Hotel Lago di Braies, from where you have a direct view of the lake; this is an ideal choice if you really want to explore the lake early in the morning without crowds.
Restaurant Tips
You don’t have to worry about there being nothing to eat at the lake; right on the lake shore is the restaurant at Hotel Pragser Wildsee, which offers traditional Italian dishes. It’s nothing special, but you’ll get a meal.
Last time, we went for coffee and something good at Emma’s Bistro, and even though it doesn’t have great reviews on Google, we ate very well and the coffee was good too. Generally, we rarely had a bad meal in Italy.
When to Visit Lago Di Braies?
We prefer autumn (specifically October), when there are fewer people at the lake and you can comfortably park there. April or May are also good. In short, we avoid the main tourist season.
What to See around Lago Di Braies
You are in the middle of Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, where you’ll find a huge number of hiking trails, and most importantly, you are in the Dolomites (we definitely recommend checking out our article to find out what to see in the Dolomites), so there’s a lot to see.
A nice stop is Prato Piazza, a high plateau with breathtaking panoramas. Quite close by, you’ll also find the popular Tre Cime di Lavaredo, iconic triple peaks that are one of the most famous symbols of the Dolomites.
For those looking for quieter corners, Val Pusteria offers picturesque valleys with traditional villages and rich culture.
FAQ
Where to park at Lago di Braies
You can park right by the lake, but if you come here during high season, it’s necessary to book in advance.
Can you swim in Lago di Braies?
Swimming in Lago di Braies is not allowed.
What are the best hikes around the lake?
The most popular is the route around the lake and then the ascent to Croda del Becco (2810 m).
Can I visit the lake with a stroller?
Certainly, you can go around the lake even with a stroller.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
