Lago di Braies (Lake Braies): Everything You Need to Know

General Info About Lake Braies

The Pragser Wildsee — known as “Lago di Braies” in Italian — is a stunning mountain lake in the Dolomites of the South Tyrolean Alps. It’s best known for its gorgeous blue-green color and the reflection of the peak Seekofel on its surface.

Because it’s so photogenic, Lago di Braies has become a true Instagram hotspot — so expect plenty of people posing by the water or out on the boats.

Lake Braies sits at an elevation of 1,496 meters (4,908 ft). There’s a circular hiking trail around the lake, and you can also get out on the water by rowboat.

Where Is Lake Braies Located?

Lake Braies is in the northwest of South Tyrol in the Puster Valley — more specifically, inside the Dolomites nature reserve Naturpark Fanes Sennes Prags.

Also read our tips on valleys in South Tyrol

The nearest larger towns are Bruneck and Toblach. From Bolzano it’s about 1 hour 40 minutes by car, and 1 hour 10 minutes from Brixen.

Getting There and Parking at Lake Braies

You have several options for getting to Lago di Braies.

Getting There by Car

The easiest and fastest way to reach Lake Braies is by car. There’s only one road that leads there.

You’ll drive along the SS49 (which connects Bruneck and Toblach). At a roundabout between Welsberg-Taisten and Niederdorf, turn into the Prags Valley — from there, the lake is well signposted.

Parking at Lake Braies

Right at the lake is parking lot P4. You pay €15 for up to 3 hours of parking, or €30 for 24 hours. If you arrive in the morning, you’ll almost always find a spot — during the day in summer, expect to wait.

Right next to it is parking lot P3, which costs a maximum of €18 per day.

Alternatively, use parking lot P2. From there it’s about a ten-minute walk to the lake, and you pay just €7 per day.

Buses to Lake Braies

Bus 439 runs from Welsberg and bus 442 from Toblach to Lake Braies. You can find timetables and bus information here.

In winter, you can buy a ticket on the bus or at the stop, or use your guest card. In summer, you must reserve online in advance.

We’d recommend downloading the Südtirolmobil app — it shows all connections in real time and lets you buy tickets directly.

Hiking at Lake Braies

Lake Braies is a wonderful place for hiking. The classic route is the circular trail around the lake.

Circular Hike Around Lake Braies

• Distance: 3.6 kilometers
• Duration: approximately 1 hour
• Difficulty: easy
• Elevation gain: about 40 meters

The circular trail offers really beautiful views of the lake at every turn. Since it’s not very challenging, it’s also great to do with kids or if you don’t hike very often.

Hike to the Seekofel

Our personal favorite at Lago di Braies is the hike up to the Seekofel — the Dolomite peak right behind the lake. This route is only suitable for experienced hikers, and you’ll see far fewer tourists on the trail.

• Distance: 14.8 kilometers
• Duration: 6–8 hours
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Elevation gain: 1,320 meters

For this hike, you first follow half of the circular trail, then branch off onto the path toward the Seekofel — download Komoot or MapsMe on your phone beforehand so you have a trail map.

From there, it’s uphill all the way to the Seekofelhütte mountain hut. After that comes the steepest and most challenging section up to the summit. From the top, you get a seriously breathtaking panorama of Lake Braies and the surrounding Dolomites.

Then you head back down the same way.

Also read all our tips on hiking in South Tyrol

Boating on Lake Braies

If you’d rather skip the hiking, you can head out onto Lago di Braies in a rowboat. The boat rental is located right by the parking lots and the old wooden house.

A private boat costs €50 for 45 minutes. It’s cheaper if you share a boat with other visitors — then you only pay €15.

The downside of sharing is that it’s harder to get great photos out on the water without other people in the frame.

Swimming in Lake Braies

Technically, swimming in Lake Braies is allowed. But it’s only for the brave — the water stays cold year-round.

In summer, the maximum water temperature is around 14°C (57°F). In winter, the lake is usually frozen solid.

Where to Stay Near Lake Braies

It’s absolutely worth spending a night at Lake Braies or nearby. Early morning and late evening, the crowds thin out dramatically compared to midday.

Hotels Right on Lake Braies

There’s only one hotel directly on Lago di Braies — the Hotel Lago di Braies. Given the prime location, the price is perfectly reasonable and the hotel is excellently equipped.

Hotels Near Lake Braies

You’ll find a wider selection of places to stay along the main road leading to the lake.

Hotel Trenker: A charming, typically South Tyrolean property with an indoor pool and wellness area. 2.3 kilometers from Lake Braies.

Steinwandterhof: A lovely farm stay in South Tyrol that’s especially well suited for a family vacation with kids. 1.8 kilometers from Lake Braies.

Gstattlhof: The most affordable option near the lake, with simple apartments. 1.2 kilometers from Lake Braies.

Camping at Lake Braies

There’s no campground at Lake Braies itself. However, you are allowed to spend the night in a campervan on the parking lots.

The nearest campground is at Lake Toblach — it’s something of an under-the-radar spot in South Tyrol and the campground there is seriously beautiful.

Also read our hotel tips for South Tyrol

Wild camping is not permitted in South Tyrol or at Lake Braies.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Lake Braies?

We especially recommend the months of April, May, and October. These are the shoulder season months, so it’s nowhere near as crowded as during summer in South Tyrol.

If you’re visiting from June through September, head there first thing in the morning. It’s peak tourist season in Italy and visitors flock to Lago di Braies in droves — but early in the morning it’s still relatively peaceful.

From November through March, expect snow. The lake is often frozen and blanketed in white during winter. You won’t see the famous reflection, but the lake has its own quiet magic under a layer of snow.

FAQ About Lake Braies