The Most Captivating Lakes in South Tyrol and the Dolomites

Author: Kate & Vin Bossany

Instagram: @throneandvine

throneandvine.com

There’s something about alpine lakes that stops time. Maybe it’s the hush of pine-scented air. Maybe it’s how the mountains lean close to admire their own reflections. Or maybe it’s the way light dances across the water, shifting from jade to sapphire to gold in a single breath.

In South Tyrol and the Dolomites, where Italian and Austrian cultures meet and mingle, the lakes shimmering amid the peaks do more than dazzle. They speak in two languages—Italian and German—echoing a region shaped by centuries of shifting borders and layered traditions.

These lakes don’t just fill valleys… they tell stories. Here are five of our favorites.

Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee

Tucked deep in Val Pusteria within the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park of South Tyrol, Lago di Braies is an emerald jewel framed by limestone peaks and spruce forests. The thunderous Croda del Becco towers above, its reflection so vivid it feels like stepping into a canvas brushed by the divine. The lake’s glassy surface captures every cloud, every crag, creating a mirror-like symmetry that soothes the spirit.

What to Do

A two-mile trail loops the lake, ideal for a reflective walk. The northern shore’s iconic boathouse, with rowboats gliding silently, draws photographers, but the southern coves offer solitude. Rent a boat to drift to the lake’s heart, where the world falls away, leaving only the ripple of oars and the scent of pine.

History & Legend

Local lore claims these waters are a portal to the lost Kingdom of Fanes, a mythical realm of warriors and spirits. At dawn, when mist cloaks the shore, the tale feels true. A more recent legend tells of 10 tons of Nazi gold hidden in the lake’s depths, supposedly sunk by retreating forces at the end of World War II.

While it may sound far-fetched, history lends the legend some weight. During World War II, the elegant Hotel Lago di Braies—built in 1899 and still operated by the founding family—was used as a base by the Nazis. In the war’s final days, it became the setting of a remarkable event: the liberation of 139 high-profile concentration camp prisoners, including relatives of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, the man behind the most famous attempt to assassinate Hitler.

Also gracing the lakeshore is the Marienkapelle, a small chapel built in 1904. Modest yet moving, it has welcomed pilgrims and wanderers for over a century, offering a quiet place to pause and reflect beneath the looming presence of Croda del Becco.

Tips

To experience the lake at its most peaceful, arrive at dawn or linger into the late afternoon, after the tour buses have gone. For a rewarding meal and something sweet, follow the easy 30-minute trail into the forested valley beneath Croda del Becco to Malga Foresta, a charming mountain hut serving hearty South Tyrolean fare and homemade desserts.

Lago di Resia / Reschensee

Few lakes stir both the heart and the imagination like Lago di Resia. Cradled by mountains in South Tyrol’s Val Venosta, it stretches like a band of polished jade beneath the watchful eye of Mount Ortler—South Tyrol’s tallest peak. Its beauty is undeniable, but what makes this place unforgettable is the 14th-century bell tower rising eerily from the water.

Once, the medieval village of Curon stood here. Then came 1950 and a dam that promised progress. The valley was flooded, and in its wake: 1,000 villagers displaced, homes submerged, and livelihoods forever changed. The bell tower is all that remains. It is stark, solitary, and surreal.

What to Do

Walk or bike the nine-mile trail that circles Lago di Resia. It’s especially stunning in the early morning or late evening, when the sun’s rays cast long reflections across the water and the mountains wear a golden crown. For something more adventurous, rent a kayak—or try your hand at kitesurfing or windsurfing, if you’re ready to take on the mountain winds.

History & Legend

According to legend, in the dead of winter, when Ortler’s winds howl like a pack of ravenous wolves, you can still hear the bells ringing from the sunken tower, though they were removed over 75 years ago. Some say if you catch even a whisper of their toll, death is not far behind.

Tips

Book an overnight stay along the shore to witness the tower in changing light—sunrise and twilight are especially haunting. Don’t forget a jacket. The wind can be brisk, even in summer, especially when you’re lingering lakeside.

Lago di Carezza / Karersee

Lago di Carezza isn’t large, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in sheer enchantment. Set like a precious gem amid the whispering evergreen forests of South Tyrol’s Val d’Ega, this alpine lake glimmers beneath the labyrinthine Latemar and blush-toned Rosengarten massifs.

Its emerald surface shimmers with a kaleidoscope of hues—blues, violets, and greens so vivid it feels as if the water has been jeweled by hand. It’s no wonder locals call it the “Rainbow Lake,” a mirror so magical it seems to reflect more than just the mountains above.

What to Do

A one-mile trail loops around Lago di Carezza, offering one of the most effortless and rewarding walks in the Dolomites. Benches and wooden platforms are thoughtfully placed along the way, giving you perfect spots to pause, breathe, and capture the view.

Framed by spruce trees and wildflowers, the path is steeped in alpine scents and mountain stillness. Though short, the trail is mesmerizing, each curve in the forest reveals the lake in a new light, its waters shifting in color like a mood caught in glass.

History & Legend

According to local lore, long ago, a lovestruck sorcerer once tried to woo a mermaid who dwelled in the lake. When his plan failed, he hurled a rainbow into the lake, shattering it into a million radiant fragments. Its colors, they say, still shimmer beneath the surface. Even Winston Churchill couldn’t resist its spell. While vacationing with his wife in the summer of 1949, he reportedly rushed to the shoreline the moment he saw the lake and began painting it on the spot, eager to capture its surreal beauty before it slipped away.

Tips

To truly experience its magic, visit Lago di Carezza on a clear, sunlit day, when the surrounding peaks mirror perfectly in the lake’s pristine surface. After circling the trail, ride the nearby König Laurin aerial tram and cable car up to Laurin’s Lounge, where you can enjoy an authentic meal on South Tyrol’s highest panoramic terrace.

Lago di Vernago / Vernagt-Stausee

Hidden deep in South Tyrol’s Val Senales at over 5,000 feet, Lago di Vernago is a quiet alpine wonder. Its waters are still and dark, flanked by steep, forested slopes on one side and sunlit mountain pastures on the other. These high meadows are home to some of South Tyrol’s loftiest mountain farms—places where tradition endures in breathtaking isolation. This striking contrast makes the lake one of the most visually captivating in the region. It’s also remarkably peaceful, a place where crowds rarely wander, and silence feels sacred.

What to Do

Embark on a 4.6-mile hike that circles Lago di Vernago, guiding you through fragrant forests and up into the high alpine pastures above the lake. Along the way, you’ll reach historic mountain farms like the centuries-old Finailhof, where you can savor traditional South Tyrolean cuisine, take in sweeping, eagle-eye views of the lake, and maybe cross paths with a gang of content, sun-lounging goats.

History & Legend

Like Lago di Resia, Lago di Vernago was created in the 1950s following the construction of a dam. While the project didn’t submerge an entire village, it did flood several historic farmsteads scattered along the valley floor.

Just a few thousand feet above the lake on Mount Similaun, one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in the world took place. In 1991, hikers stumbled upon the preserved body of Ötzi the Iceman, a man frozen in ice for over 5,000 years.

Tips

Book a stay at one of the historic farms perched along or above Lago di Vernago for a quiet, immersive South Tyrolean experience. While exploring Val Senales, make time for a visit to nearby Maso Corto, where the Schnalstal Glacier Cable Car whisks you up to the Grawand mountain station. From there, a short hike leads to Ötzi Iceman Peak, a panoramic viewing platform overlooking the exact area where Ötzi’s body was discovered.

Lago di Misurina / Misurina See

Lago di Misurina is the largest natural lake in the Dolomites—and one of its most spellbinding. Located just beyond South Tyrol in Cadore, a mountain district of Belluno, it glints like a blade beneath some of the Dolomites’ most iconic peaks, including Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Mount Sorapiss, and the Cadini di Misurina.

But this lake is more than a shimmering gem in the Dolomites’ rugged crown. Thanks to its rare microclimate, Misurina is known for its remarkably pure air, so much so that visitors have long sought it out for its restorative effects. For centuries, people have come here not just to admire the scenery, but to breathe deeply and let the landscape heal what the world has worn thin.

What to Do

Lago di Misurina is a place to wander slowly. A flat, well-maintained 1.7-mile path encircles the lake, perfect for an easy stroll with panoramic views at every turn. In addition, you can rent a paddle boat and drift across the water, watching the mountains ripple in the reflection, or stop at one of the lakeside cafés for a slice of apple strudel and a front-row seat to the scenery.

History & Legend

Like Lago di Carezza, Lago di Misurina is said to have been born from heartbreak. A mountain fairy granted Misurina, the daughter of a powerful king, a magical mirror. But when her father tried to take it by force, he was turned into stone, becoming Mount Sorapiss. As he wept for his daughter, his tears filled the valley and formed the lake. Some say that on still days, you can see his profile in the cliffs and feel the story lingering just beneath the surface.

Tips

After a challenging day hiking the famed Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit, consider unwinding with a gentle walk around Lago di Misurina’s serene shoreline. The contrast between the high-alpine drama of the peaks and the stillness of Misurina’s reflective waters offers a soft landing for the senses after a day spent among giants.

And if your feet can’t bear the thought of another step, hop into a paddle boat and let the water carry you into post-hike bliss. Afterward, grab a picnic table and dig into whatever’s left in your backpack—snacks always taste better lakeside, especially when shared with a jaw-dropping view of Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

-----

Kate and Vin Bossany are the founders of Throne & Vine, a premier travel planning company specializing in bespoke itineraries for South Tyrol and the Italian Dolomites. Discover their expertly crafted travel guides and personalized services at throneandvine.com, where you can immerse yourself in the region’s top hikes, stunning landscapes, and quintessential cultural experiences.