Lago di Braies in the Dolomites – tips for your visit

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Lago di Braies is one of the most photographed lakes in the Dolomites, with turquoise waters, dramatic mountains and the well-known wooden pier with rowing boats. The lake is located in South Tyrol in northern Italy and is called Pragser Wildsee in German.

We came here by camper from Austria and got to experience the lake both during a quiet evening after the rain and early the next morning. Despite the gray clouds, Lago di Braies became one of those places that stuck in the memory.

What is Lake Braies?

Lago di Braies is a beautiful alpine lake in the Dolomites of South Tyrol in northern Italy. The lake is located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters and is surrounded by forest and dramatic mountain peaks. In German, the lake is called Pragser Wildsee, which is a name you often see on signs in the area.

The lake is known for its clear water, which can change between green, turquoise and blue depending on the light and weather. The characteristic wooden pier with its rowing boats has also made Lago di Braies one of the most photographed places in the Dolomites.

There is also a small chapel and the historic Hotel Lago di Braies by the lake. For those who want to experience more than just the view, there is a hiking trail around the lake and the opportunity to continue on longer hikes in the Dolomites.

Our evening at Lago di Braies

When we walked towards the lake it had already started to get a little dark and the clouds were dark, but at least it was a break. We found our way to the hotel and the lake. When you get down you see a small pier with small wooden boats, a small chapel and then the high mountains in the background.

Sooo magically beautiful! The air was clear and humid, and it was completely silent. The clouds moved around the mountains, so that the views around us were constantly changing shape.

As the sun went down, the colours also changed. We met a few other people, a couple with dogs and two Swedish guys who had travelled from Austria. But mostly we stood here alone and soaked up the evening and the tranquillity.

Eventually we walked back, past the hotel and to our motorhome in the car park. We decided to set the clock really early the next morning, to see the lake in a different light, before it would start raining again.

Morning by the lake

The next morning we were up with the rooster, or even before the rooster I think. Unfortunately, the weather was not good now either, but at least it is a little brighter in the pictures. You can see the small chapel, Chiesetta sul Lago di Braies, which is just next to the hotel.

Lake Braies by motorhome

Lago di Braies is an excellent place to visit by motorhome, and for us the lake was the perfect stop between our journey from Austria and down to the Mediterranean. The road is dramatically beautiful towards the end and already as we approached När we saw the impressive mountains rising behind the trees.

When we were here we spent the night in the parking lot near the lake, for a fee. We had a great time here overnight with several other campers, even though it started to rain. pouring rain right when we arrived.

When is the best time to visit Lake Braies?

Lago di Braies can be visited all year round, but the experience varies greatly between seasons. Summer offers green surroundings and good conditions for hiking, but is also the period when most people visit the lake.

Spring and early autumn can be a good choice if you want to experience the lake during a quieter period. In autumn, the forests around the lake also turn beautiful colors. Keep in mind that the weather in the mountains can change quickly and that snow can occur both early and late in the season.

Wintertime Lago di Braies takes on a completely different character, with snow-capped mountains and often ice on the lake. Of course, different conditions apply for hiking and activities.

Regardless of the season, it can be an advantage to come early in the morning or later in the day, especially during high season. We got to experience the lake for ourselves late at night and early the next morning, when it was very quiet and almost deserted.

More to see in the Dolomites

Lago di Braies is just one of many spectacular natural experiences in the Dolomites. If you take a road trip in the area, you can combine the lake with more mountains, lakes, hikes and small towns.

Among the most famous places in the Dolomites are: Three Peaks of Lavaredo, the three characteristic mountain peaks that have become a symbol of the area. Also Cortina d'Ampezzo is a popular starting point for hikes and excursions in the mountains.

Further west there are, among other things, Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi and the mountain range Seceda, while the area around Alta Badia offers both dramatic mountain views and small South Tyrolean villages.