Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee in German) is one of those places that has travelled the world. People call it the pearl of the Dolomites for its emerald-green reflections, which shift with the light and the season, and for what frames them: the old wooden jetty, the traditional rowing boats and the bulk of Croda del Becco mirrored in the water. That same mountain feeds one of the local legends, in which a door to an underground kingdom opens at its foot.
An easy loop trail of around four kilometres circles the whole lake in just over an hour, with the view changing the whole way across footbridges and gravel paths. In the warm season you can hire the traditional wooden rowing boats at the jetty for a gentle row on the calm water. The lake is also the start of longer hikes into the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. It's a very popular spot and access is regulated in high season, so check ahead and, if you can, get there first thing in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Can you hire rowing boats at Lake Braies?
Yes. In the warm season you can hire traditional wooden rowing boats at the old jetty on the lake, for a gentle row on the calm water beneath the Croda del Becco.
How long is the walk around Lake Braies?
The loop is about four kilometres and takes just over an hour. It works for everyone, with a few sections on footbridges and gravel.