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Take a Look to the New Guide and Info about
LAKE BRAIES in SOUTH TYROL
Discover this magical and super instagrammable place in the Dolomites
HISTORY of LAKE BRAIES
Lago di Braies is an alpine lake in the Valle di Braies, in Trentino Alto Adige, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known as the "Pearl of the Dolomites". Lake Braies became famous thanks to the TV series "Un Passo dal Cielo" and attracts visitors from all over the world who come here to admire its crystalline waters framed by beautiful mountains.
WHERE TO PARK to see LAKE BRAIES
From 10 July to 10 September 2023 the Valle di Braies can be reached from 9.30 to 16.00 only by public transport, on foot, by bike or upon presentation of an online booking or a valid transit permit. Outside of this period, Lake Braies can be visited without restrictions (source: https://www.prags.bz/it ).
There are many car parks (for a fee, around 6/10 euros per hour) near Lake Braies (click on the name of the car park to open it on Google Maps).
P4 - Parking Lago di Braies - The closest to the lake but the most expensive (at the Hotel Lago di Braies, 100 meters from the lake). To book the transit permit and parking during the periods of closure to traffic click here.
P3 - Parking Lago di Braies - Just before parking P4.
P2 - Parking Lago di Braies - This car park is about 800 meters from the lake.
P1 - Parking Lago di Braies - The furthest parking (about 5 kilometers from the lake). From this car park you can take the shuttle bus number 439 which will take you right in front of the lake.
HOW TO GET to LAKE BRAIES
Lake Braies can be reached by car and public transport. During the summer period (usually from 10 July to 10 September), the road leading to Lake Braies is closed to traffic from 9.30 to 16.00 and is passable only with a transit permit or online parking reservation (get your permission by clicking here). When the availability of parking runs out, the road is closed to traffic. Guests of hotels near Lake Braies receive a transit permit at the time of booking.
You can also reach Lake Braies by public transport. During the winter months (and throughout the year) it is possible to reach the lake by bus, while in the summer there are also two shuttles. Shuttle no. 439 starts from the town of Monguelfo and the no. 442 from Dobbiaco.
Online booking and payment is mandatory for both shuttles. Once the seats on the shuttles have run out, it will not be possible to reach the lake.
There are no restrictions for those who want to reach Lake Braies on foot or by bicycle.
For more information, costs and reservations and consult the dedicated official website Prags.bz.
HOW LONG to SEE LAKE BRAIES
The path around Lake Braies is about 3.5 kilometers long. It is a simple route, suitable for everyone and can be covered in about an hour and a half. If you want to rent a boat, keep in mind that in high season the wait can be long (even two hours) and the rental lasts 30 minutes.
WHEN TO GO to see LAKE BRAIES
Lake Braies is beautiful in all seasons. The best time to see Lake Braies is spring and summer (it is also the period in which the lake is overrun by tourists) when the water is blue and crystalline and reflects the surrounding mountains. Furthermore, in this period it is possible to rent a rowing boat to go around the lake.
WHERE TO SLEEP near LAKE BRAIES
There are several solutions for those who want to stay near Lake Braies. Here are some hotels close to Lake Braies:
Braies (BZ) - Hotel Lago di Braies/Hotel Pragser Wildsee *** (direttamente sul lago)
Braies (BZ) - Steinerhof ***
Braies (BZ) - Steinwandterhof ***
San Candido / Innichen (BZ) - Post Hotel - Tradition & Lifestyle ****s
Find out more ...
Remember that the Dolomites are a popular destination in both summer and winter, so book your accommodation in advance.
TREKKING at LAKE BRAIES
Hiking around the lake is a nice way to spend time at Lago di Braies. The hike is a loop that takes about one and a half hours and is fairly easy although the route does contain some stairs. The trek is suitable for children, it is not suitable for wheelchairs.
In addition to the easy trail that circles the lake, several other longer and more challenging trails start from the lake and head into the mountains. Croda del Becco (Seekofel) is the mountain that forms the backdrop to Lake Braies. The route to the top of Croda del Becco starts from the path next to the Hotel Lago di Braies. It is a strenuous hike (suitable for fit hikers) of 15km round trip that takes 6 to 8 hours.
Another excursion is the one that leads from Lake Braies to Cima dei Colli Alti (Hochalpenkopf). Starting from the right of the Lago di Braies hotel, go up to 2500 meters.
HOW TO RENT a BOAT at LAKE BRAIES
Renting a boat and rowing on the crystal clear waters of Lake Braies is definitely an experience to try. Boat rental is open from May to November, it is possible to rent a boat for 30 minutes privately (€ 50 - 2023 prices - max 5 people) or shared with other people (€ 10 per person - 2023 prices - 30 minutes). In high season you can also wait a few hours in line (since 2023 the number of boats has been reduced to 10). For timetables, prices click on this site.
BEST VIEWPOINTS to PHOTOGRAPH LAKE BRAIES
#1 PHOTOGRAPH WITH BOATS
If you arrive early in the morning (before 9am) or after 6pm in the evening you can photograph the rows of rowboats lining the dock.
#2 PHOTOGRAPH OF THE LAKE AND THE HOUSE FROM ABOVE
Pass the lake house and climb up the small path to your left to a small bench. From here you can see the lake from above.
#3 CLASSIC POSTCARD PHOTOGRAPHER of LAKE BRAIES
To take the picture of the classic postcard of Lake Braies, go past the boat rental pier and get off the low wall immediately on your right. From this tiny beach you will have the perfect angle to frame a corner of the house, the tree and the crystal clear waters of the lake.
LAKE BRAIES with CHILDREN
The lake is beautiful, the boats are fun and the trail around the lake is easy and also suitable for families with children. Around Lake Braies there are no playgrounds or equipped areas for children. Lake Dobbiaco and Lake Anterselva, on the other hand, have nature trails and playgrounds.
WORLD MAPPERS' TIPS to SEE and VISIT the LAKE BRAIES
Entrance to Lake Braies is FREE (you only pay for the transit permit when the road is closed and for parking)
The lake is open all year round, however many of the businesses and public transport are only open from the end of June to the end of September.
Due to the crowds this place attracts, we highly recommend going early in the morning to take the best photos and soak up the beauty before the lake gets stormed. In summer from 9:30 the crowd can be really big.
If you arrive early, start with photos and the excursion, as boats don't come until 9 or 10 (depending on the month).
Plan to spend a half day at Lago di Braies to enjoy all it has to offer.
Morning is the best time for photography, especially if you want to capture the famous reflection.
Drones are not allowed at Lake Braies.
Other things to see near Lake Braies are:
Three Peaks of Lavaredo
Lake Landro (Durrensee)
Lake Dobbiaco (Toblacher See)
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