Le dla Creda is one of those lakes that never makes the postcards but stays with the people who actually walk up to it. It sits in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park above San Vigilio di Marebbe, in a corner that's fairly easy to reach. You can take the bus to Pederu, then walk the rest on a short but real climb. The water shifts colour with the light. The Ciastlins waterfall drops down nearby, and the Tamersc meadows spread out all around. In early summer the pastures fill with gentians, arnica, and St John's lilies, a range of colour few people expect to find among the crags.
This is the gentle, pastoral side of this part of the Dolomites: mountain farms, grazing herds, quiet. It's the opposite of the sheer walls that close off the horizon. On the meadows you'll often hear marmots whistle as you get close, spot chamois higher up, and see the alpine birds that draw birdwatchers here. The best months run from May to October. It stays a protected, fragile place, so keep to the marked trails and give the animals room.
Frequently asked questions
What wildlife can you encounter in the park pastures?
On the meadows of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Park around Le dla Creda you commonly spot marmots, chamois on the higher slopes, and plenty of alpine birds, which is why birdwatchers come here.
How do you reach Le dla Creda?
From San Vigilio di Marebbe you head up toward the park. You can also take the bus to Pederu, where a marked trail begins. The walk is fairly short but does climb a bit, and it works best between May and October.