The Latemar is one of those mountains you recognise at first glance: a crown of ragged pinnacles suspended between the Val di Fiemme and the Val d'Ega. At its foot lies Lake Carezza, small but celebrated for its colours, which shift from emerald green to turquoise depending on the light and the hour. The Ladins have always called it the lake of the rainbow, and there is a legend behind the name: the wizard of the Latemar, infatuated with the nymph Ondina, conjured a rainbow over the water to lure her; when she fled, he shattered it into a thousand pieces and cast them into the lake. Since then, every colour has been mirrored in its depths. On windless mornings the surface becomes a perfect reflection of the peaks and forests — which is why it has become one of the most photographed subjects in the Dolomites.
The circuit of the lake is very short, along a flat path you can stroll comfortably in half an hour between photographs. Those looking for something more will find climbing routes, via ferratas, panoramic trails, and in winter a ski area connecting down into the Val di Fiemme on the Latemar massif. In summer the area is a base for trekking through dwarf-pine scrub and pale limestone, and it is worth returning to the lake at early morning or late afternoon, when raking light kindles the reflections and far fewer people line the banks.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Lake Carezza?
No, swimming is not permitted. It is a protected natural environment and access to the shore is regulated specifically to preserve the colours and the ecosystem that produces them.
How long does the walk around the lake take?
Very little: the loop trail is short and almost entirely flat, walkable in about half an hour. Allow a bit more for photo stops and the classic viewpoint.