Lago di Carezza (Karersee) is famous the world over for its iridescent, ever-changing colours and for the folk tale of the water nymph and the wizard, with the Latemar massif mirrored in its glassy surface.
The circuit is short, easy and almost completely flat. Ideal for a family stop along the Dolomite road.
How to get there — Parcheggio Lago di Carezza (1.520 m)
You start from the Lago di Carezza car park, on the SS241 through Val d'Ega, the road that climbs from Bolzano towards Passo Costalunga. By car from Bolzano it takes about forty minutes, while from Fiemme and Fassa you arrive over the Costalunga itself. The lake lies on the opposite side of the road from the car park, but a pedestrian underpass spares you crossing the state road, always busy here. The car park is paid and in the warm months fills up fast, especially at midday, so turn up early. If you would rather leave the car at home, use the scheduled buses that climb the valley from Bolzano and stop at the Karersee stop, a short walk from the start of the trail.
The trailhead is in the Val di Fiemme area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.
Stage by stage
1. Main viewpoint
From the car park, a short walk leads straight to the most photographed point on the shore.
2. Loop through the forest
Close the circuit around the lake through the spruce forest that surrounds it.
When to go & weather
From April to November the loop is clear of snow and within everyone's reach, kids and grandparents included. The golden moment is early morning: the water is mirror-still, the Latemar is reflected sharply and the coaches have not yet arrived. Late spring and early autumn give the most vivid greens and blues, the ones that earned the lake its rainbow nickname, while in summer the middle of the day is the most chaotic. In winter the perimeter trail is still a fine walk on the snow, but the basin often freezes and the emerald colours give way to a white crust, evocative in a different way.
Recommended gear
- Walking shoes or light trekking shoes. The ground is easy but gravelly in places
- A windproof jacket, because the air near the water always stays cool
- Camera or smartphone. Here the reflections of the Latemar are worth the shot
- A water bottle and something to nibble on
- Card or cash for the paid car park
Useful tips
- Arrive at opening time. In the raking morning light the reflections are perfect and the trail almost deserted
- Stay behind the fences and read the signs. The lake is protected and you cannot reach the shore everywhere
- Do not stop at the first viewpoint, always crowded. Do the whole loop in the forest for different views
- Pick between the two routes: the short loop by the water is just over a kilometre, while the long loop in the forest tops five
- In October watch the golden larches around the shores. They are the most photogenic moment of the year
- Combine the visit with the nearby Passo Costalunga or the themed trails at the foot of the Latemar
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Lago di Carezza?
No. Swimming is not allowed and the lake is a protected site. You enjoy the shoreside walk and the viewpoints along the banks.
How long does the Lago di Carezza loop take?
It depends which one you do. The short loop right around the water is about a kilometre and takes twenty minutes, while the longer loop through the woods on trail 11 runs over five kilometres and takes a couple of hours at an easy pace.
Why does Lago di Carezza change colour?
The water shifts from emerald green to deep blue depending on depth, light and the minerals on the bottom. It is fed by underground springs, so the level and the colours change a lot through the year. That is why they call it the rainbow lake.
Is Lago di Carezza suitable for children and dogs?
Yes. The path around the lake is easy and almost flat, perfect for families. Dogs are allowed on a lead, but they too are strictly banned from entering the water, since the lake is a protected area.
Where do you park at Lago di Carezza?
The car park is along state road 241 in the Val d'Ega, on the opposite side from the lake and linked by a pedestrian underpass that saves you crossing the road. It is a paid car park and in summer it fills up fast, especially around midday, so arrive early. Rates to be checked for the current year.
How do you get to Lago di Carezza?
By car on state road 241, about forty minutes from Bolzano climbing towards Passo Costalunga, or over the Costalunga pass if you come from Fiemme and Fassa. Without a car there are scheduled buses that run up the valley from Bolzano and stop at the Karersee halt, near the start of the trail.