Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee
The Dolomites' most photogenic alpine lake, with emerald waters, boathouses and the Seekofel behind it. A loop around the lake takes about 1.5 hours.
Lago di Braies sits at the end of the Braies Valley, south of the Pustertal, at an elevation of 1,496 meters. Its waters shift from emerald green to deep sapphire blue. On the south shore rise the cliffs of Seekofel (Croda del Becco), at 2,810 meters. On the north shore, the wooden Bootshaus boathouse and a row of wooden rowing boats form what is probably the most famous Dolomites image on social media. The lake also served as a filming location for the Italian TV series Un passo dal cielo. Boat rentals run roughly 10:00-17:00 from June to September, costing about €20-30 for 30 minutes. Lining up early in the morning means the shortest wait. The loop trail around the lake is about 3.5 km and takes about 1.5 hours. Most of it is flat, though the east shore has a stretch of stone steps and wooden boardwalk. Along the way, a small chapel and the gravel beach at the south end are good viewpoints. From about July 10 to September 10, between 09:30 and 16:00, you must reserve a parking space in advance on the official website (about €38 per vehicle per day) or buy a shuttle bus ticket (take bus 442 from Villabassa/Niederdorf or Dobbiaco train station). Otherwise, you can only enter before 09:30 or after 16:00. To photograph the boathouses without crowds, arriving around sunrise is the only option. There are hotels and restaurants near the car park. Swimming is prohibited at the lake shore, and drones are not allowed. You can combine the lake with the Tre Cime on the same day: in the morning visit Lago di Braies, drive about 45 minutes to Lago di Misurina at midday, and in the afternoon walk the Tre Cime loop if your energy allows. From the lake, long-distance trails also lead to the Prato Piazza plateau and the summit of Seekofel. In winter, once the lake freezes, you can walk on the ice (follow on-site signs). The snowy scenery is equally beautiful, but the boathouses are closed.
Opening hours
Open all day (entry 09:30–16:00 in July–Sept requires reservation)
Nearby sights
- Prato Piazza
- Plan de Corones (Kronplatz)
- Lago di Dobbiaco
- Lago di Landro
- Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Tofane & Freccia nel Cielo
- Lagazuoi & Falzarego Pass
- Cinque Torri