Lake Braies, known as the “Pearl among Dolomite lakes”, is located in a unique position in the Braies Dolomites
Image gallery: Lake Braies
Notice: Since September 11, 2024, the traffic regulation for the Braies Valley has been repealed and it no longer needs the permission to use that road. The valley and the lake can be reached by bus line no. 442 from Villabassa, the Guest Pass is now valid again.
July 9, 2024, the entrance into the Braies Valley is possible all day and Lake Braies can be visited at any time. From July 10 to September 10, 2024, the valley and the lake are accessible from 9.30 am to 4 pm only by means of public transport, by foot, by bike, or with a parking lot reservation or valid permission to use that road. The bus lines no. 439 and 442 from Dobbiaco resp. from Monguelfo are operating: From July 10 on, an online reservation with online payment is needed for the bus ride. In that period, the Guest Passes are not valid.**
The origin of Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is referable to a reservoir dam, consequence of a mudflow. It is situated at almost 1,500 metres a.s.l. in the municipal area of Braies, a whole valley. At the head of the valley first the hamlet of San Vito Braies comes into sight, and then the lake itself. In the mythological world, Lake Braies has got an important role to play. According to legends, at the south end of the lake, where Mt. Croda del Becco (2,810 m a.s.l.) is situated, there was the gate to the Kingdom of Fanes. That gate could be reached only with a boat ride. This is also why the Ladin name of the Croda del Becco is "Sass dla Porta", which means "Gate Mountain".
During a rowing boat trip - the boats can be rented in the summer months from mid-June on at the wooden boat house - you may enjoy the beauty of the fairytale-like scenery. But only savages will dare to jump into the really cool waters. The emerald green lake has become famous in the last years by the Italian television series "Un passo dal cielo" (One step from heaven) and is nowadays a centre of tourism. To direct traffic and to protect nature in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, a traffic concept with a limited number of visitors has been introduced. Lake Braies is a wonderful starting point for numerous hiking tours and for the 4 km long walk round Lake Braies. In winter, several of the cross-country ski tracks in the Val Pusteria are located in the Valle di Braies valley.
Altitude: 1,469 m a.s.l.
Surface: 31 hectares
Depth: max. 36 m
Category: mountain lake
